In Brief:

• A charming example of a Heavy 12/4 Tourer
• Finished in Grey with a Black soft top over a Black interior
• Owned by The Vendor for the last 9 years
• 5 former keepers
• Fantastic supporting literature

Auctioneer's Notes:

A lovely example of the Austin Heavy 12/4 Tourer, finished in Grey with a Black soft top over a Black interior. Now 97 years old, this charming vintage Austin presents as a very usable and well-enjoyed example of the marque. The Vendor has owned the car for the last 9 years, with 5 former keepers recorded, and describes it as a car they are fond of, with the decision to sell being guided only by a lack of space due to other vehicles.

Maintenance & Condition:

The Vendor reports that the car is in very good overall condition, although not immaculate and notes that it had already benefited from a considerable amount of previous work before their ownership. Since acquiring the car in 2016, it has reportedly been well maintained and regularly used, including trips to the Continent. Bodywork, mechanicals and interior are all described as being in good condition. As is typical of the Austin Heavy Twelve, performance is steady rather than exhilarating, though the Vendor highlights the car’s reliability and dependable nature.

History:

The car is accompanied by a good selection of period and supporting literature, including a Handbook of The Austin Twelve, Book of the Austin Twelve CD, Seeing Britain from an Austin, a copy of The Vintage Austin Magazine from 2022, the buff logbook and an assortment of invoices. Together, these items form an appealing history file for a vintage Austin that has clearly been cherished and actively enjoyed.

The Model:

Introduced in 1921, the Austin Twelve was Herbert Austin’s second post-First World War model and was developed as a more accessible companion to the larger Austin Twenty. The “Twelve” name refers to its fiscal horsepower rating rather than brake horsepower, with the model initially powered by a 1660cc engine before later cars received the larger 1861cc unit as used in the example. Known for their long-stroke engines and useful low-speed torque, the Twelve became one of Austin’s most successful vintage-era cars, with annual sales peaking at around 14,000 in 1927. The model remained in production, in various forms, through to the late 1930s, with the final examples produced for the War Department in 1940.

Sale Insight:

A characterful and well-presented vintage Austin Tourer, this Heavy 12/4 offers the appeal of open-air pre-war motoring in a usable and well-proven package. With long-term current ownership, supporting literature, buff logbook and invoices, it represents a charming opportunity for those seeking an honest, usable and much-loved vintage car.

Estimate:
£6,500 - £7,500