In Brief:

Great example of an Austin 10 Clifton Tourer with dickey seat
Finished in two-tone Cream over Maroon with a Maroon soft top
Owned by The Vendor for the last 27 years
Just 2 former keepers
Very strong history and backstory
1 of around 50 Cliftons that remain

On the Surface:

A well presented example of the increasingly rare 1937 Austin 10 Clifton Tourer, finished in a charming two-tone Cream over Maroon, complemented by a Maroon soft top. The interior features Purple leather front seats and a contrasting Cream leather dickey seat — the desirable rear 'dickey seat' configuration adding both practicality and character. Retaining much of its period charm, this Tourer stands out as a highly attractive and useable pre-war British classic.

Maintenance & History:

Purchased by the current owner in 1998 in poor condition, the vehicle underwent a detailed restoration over a number of years. The car has been in the hands of its current keeper for 27 years, suggesting long-term care and sympathetic ownership. It comes with some documentation, including period Austin 10 sales literature, show display information cards, and photographs documenting its condition and history. An extraordinary part of this car’s story is its link to World War II. This very Austin 10 was stationed at RAF Warmwell near Weymouth during the war — a site that was frequently targeted by German air raids. Remarkably, the car bears battle scars from that period: a visible bullet hole in the right-hand side of the radiator cowl, beneath the Austin badge, caused by a 10mm round. The bullet ultimately lodged in the base of the carburettor air filter (which is no longer there). Photographs on file document this unique and historically significant detail. With just two former keepers prior to the current owner, this car’s provenance is both traceable and fascinating.

The Model:

Launched in 1932, the Austin Ten was a key model in the marque’s pre-war success, slotting between the smaller Austin Seven and the larger Twelves. It quickly became Austin’s best-selling model of the 1930s, offering practical, affordable motoring. The Clifton Tourer variant, such as this example, featured a two-seater open body with an additional rear dickey seat and was one of the rarer body styles produced. It was built on a pressed steel body over a ladder-frame chassis and powered by a 1125cc four-cylinder side-valve engine producing 21 bhp, driving the rear wheels via a four-speed gearbox. The mechanicals were simple and robust, making them ideal for vintage motoring today. With only around 50 Cliftons known to survive, this is a particularly scarce example.

Sale Insight:

Rarely does a pre-war car come to market with such compelling history and long-term, caring ownership. The combination of its distinctive wartime backstory, excellent colour combination and the desirable dickey seat configuration make this Austin 10 Clifton Tourer a standout opportunity for the vintage enthusiast or collector.