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  • Austin 12/4 (1933-1939)

Austin 12/4

 1933 to 1939
Austin 12/4 (1933-1939)
Overview
Manufacturer Austin Motor Company
Production 1933–1939 71,654 produced
Body and chassis
Body style saloon, tourer, estate car, van,cabriolet
Powertrain
Engine 1535 cc Straight-4
Transmission in one unit with the engine: single-plate clutch, 4-speed centrally controlled gearbox with synchromesh on 2, 3 & top.Three quarter floating rear axle
Dimensions
Wheelbase 8' 10", 106 in (2,700 mm) track 4' 2", 50 in (1,300 mm)
Length 12' 10", 154 in (3,900 mm)
Width 5' 0", 60 in (1,500 mm)
Chronology
Predecessor Austin 12 hp ("Heavy" 12)
Successor Austin 12 (1939 model)
 

The Austin Light Twelve-Four was a car produced by the Austin Motor Company from 1933 until 1939. It was replaced in 1939 by a completely new car also called the Austin 12 which kept the same engine. The "12" in the name referred to the taxation horsepower, a British rating which controlled the annual taxation payable to use the car on the road.

Austin Twelve-Four Ascot

Austin Twelve ascot side vew 1940s

In 1931 Austin introduced a new car, the 12/6, with a six-cylinder engine, into the 12 hp class. This was followed up in 1933 by the fitting of a 1535 cc side-valve, four-cylinder engine with 24 bhp output into the same chassis. This was coupled to a four-speed "crash" gearbox at first, but a new transmission with synchromesh on third and top speed appeared in 1934 and then also on second in 1935.

The chassis was very conventional, with semi-elliptic leaf springs on all wheels and rigid axles front and rear. Wire wheels were fitted until 1937 when they were replaced with pressed steel ones. At launch there was a choice of a pressed steel six-light (three windows on each side) saloon called the Harley and a two-seat tourer. A second saloon style with a boot, the Ascot, was added in 1934 and the Harley was dropped in 1935. In the same year the chromium plated radiator shell was replaced by one painted in body colour. The very early cars had their side lights mounted on the scuttle, but these soon moved to the tops of the wings.

 

1936
Ascot

saloon

Open Road

tourer

Eton

two-seater tourer

length
158 in (4,000 mm)
158 in (4,000 mm)
158 in (4,000 mm)
width
61.5 in (1,560 mm)
61.5 in (1,560 mm)
61.5 in (1,560 mm)
height
66 in (1,700 mm)
67.5 in (1,710 mm)
67.5 in (1,710 mm)

Austin Twelve New Ascot

On 11 August 1936 Austin announced a major update for 1937 with the engine being moved forward on the chassis to improve passenger space. Other improvements included an adjustable steering column and the windscreen wipers moving to the scuttle from the top of the screen. The bodies became much more rounded and in 1938 an estate car was added to the model line-up and the tourer, which was still being built in the old style, was replaced by a four-door cabriolet.

for 1939

Higher and wider doors were introduced for both Twelve and Fourteen in midsummer 1938.

  • Austin Twelve New Ascot 1936 and higher and wider doors introduced July 1938

 

1939 Austin Twelve ascot cabriolet 

Austin
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Categories
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Vintage vehicles | British Automotive 1930s | Vehicles launched in 1933 | 12 Models | TV Cars | Film Cars

Technical

  • Engine

    Light Twelve-Four 1535 cc Eleven.Nine
    Manufacturer Austin Motor Company Limited
    Predecessor new
    Successor Austin Twelve 1535 cc
    Configuration Straight 4-cylinder
    Displacement 1,535 cc (94 cu in)
    Cylinder bore 69.3 mm (2.73 in)
    Piston stroke 101.6 mm (4.00 in)
    Cylinder block alloy cast iron
    Cylinder head alloy detachable, pistons are aluminium
    Valvetrain side-by-side valves
    Fuel system downdraught carburettor supplied by pump from tank at rear of the car. Contents gauge on instrument panel
    Fuel type petrol
    Oil system forced lubrication by gear wheel pump to all crankshaft bearings, camshaft and big end bearings
    Power output 24 bhp (18 kW; 24 PS) @2,400 rpm28 bhp (21 kW; 28 PS) @3,000 rpm Tax horsepower 11.9

     

Gallery

Gallery

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