|
Aussie
and Kiwi Austins: |
It is both
pleasing and surprising to see the high level of interest shown by Austin
Owners from
far
and wide in the Austin Centenary Celebrations. Since the launch
of the website guestbook on June 28th 2004, more that one third of all entries
have come from either Australia or New Zealand. What is also pleasing and
surprising is the number of owners, families, and clubs who tell us they are
already making arrangements to journey to the UK to be a part of the Centenary
Celebrations in July 2005. Thanks to you guys for your dedication - we are very
much looking forward to meeting you. For any owners who are planning to make
the trip over here, the Federation Officers will be pleased to help and advise
on accommodation local to the event, and any other related matters. As Website
mechanic, I would like to thank all you Austin Owners who have
sent your good wishes, and excellent photographs, which I propose to add to this
page - more would be welcome - even better with some history and other
information. How's this for a start!!
Austin
Tractors.
During 1917 Herbert Austin was
running his own large and thriving car and lorry factory at Longbridge,
Birmingham. In addition to this he was the agent and importer for several makes
of American Tractors. In 1918
he disposed of those interests and started to design his own tractor, the design
of which owed a great deal to the Fordson. The exception was the gearbox which
was a transverse two-speed unit rather than the Fordson three-speed in-line
gearbox.
Power was provided by a modified Austin ' heavy 20' car engine modified to run on paraffin. This unit was considerably more refined and somewhat more powerful than the Fordson unit, but with breaking crankshafts and other problems it never shared it's rivals reputation for reliability.
Though more expensive
than the Fordson, it enjoyed a brief period of popularity from 1919 to 1924 and
during that period contributed greatly to solving Austin's post war financial
problems. With the advent of the Austin 7 car, production was moved to France,
where it continued in modified form with only moderate success until about 1951.
Many Thanks to Peter Jones for the photo and information.

Photo thanks to Leyland Australia Heritage Group.
Austin Iver 12hp - photo thanks to John Adderton.
And a very smart Austin Lancer, sadly no longer with us, due to heavy
impact damage.
Quality photo supplied by John Adderton.

And Again, another very nice 1800 from Peter Jones.




The above four photos - thanks to Graham and Judy Anderson, of their award winning 1972 six cylinder Austin Kimberly X6. Graham is a member of the Austin Motor Vehicle Club NSW - and has won best modern for the past four years, and Grand Champion award in 2004.


Two Australian 1800 UTEs, Owners Unknown.
Ian Mann - Member of the Austin
Motor Vehicle Club of NSW
has made this contribution to this collection. Many Thanks Ian.
|
|
|
Austin 12/4 Clifton 1925.
|
|
|
|
Ian's Own 1951 A40 Devon. |
Austin 1928 Burnham. |
Four fine Austins owned by Joe and Maurene Vavra.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Princess for Restoration. |
Austin A40 Devon Tourer. |

Joe's Princess after restoration - January 2006.