1940 | Austin A70 Hereford

With a heavy heart, we are offering our 1940 Austin for sale – a classic car that has been in our family since 1963 and carries a remarkable history tied to the founder of ENKA in Arnhem, the company that would later become AkzoNobel.

This Austin is far from an ordinary vintage vehicle. Built in England during the war, it arrived in the Netherlands in 1952 with the wife of Dr. De Hartog, founder of ENKA. For many years, it served as an executive car and became a familiar sight in Arnhem, driven by Jan Flores – the family’s trusted chauffeur for over 30 years.

After Mrs. De Hartog’s passing in the late 1950s, Flores inherited the car along with a row of houses on the street where he lived. Eventually, in 1963, the Austin found its way back to our family – not by chance, but through long-standing ties: prior to the war, Dr. De Hartog had been a regular customer of our grandfather’s automotive business. Thanks to that relationship, the car came full circle.

Since returning to our family, the car has been lovingly maintained. My father would occasionally drive it for Akzo events, sometimes even chauffeuring Mr. Loudon, one of the company’s former top executives. These outings were arranged through Akzo’s transport office on Velperweg in Arnhem. After my father passed away more than ten years ago, the car was retired from active use – but it has remained in excellent, running condition ever since.

In the years prior to the pandemic, we had active contact with AkzoNobel about the car’s heritage. They even visited to see it in person, and we presented the story at their offices. Unfortunately, due to internal staff changes and the disruption of COVID, the process stalled and has not been revived since.

That’s why we are now reaching out to a broader audience – a collector, enthusiast, or museum who understands and respects this vehicle's unique legacy. We are not focused on the highest offer. Our goal is to find a worthy home for this exceptional car – one where its history is cherished and preserved.

Key facts:

• Year: 1940
• In the Netherlands since: 1952
• In our family since: 1963
• Historical use: Executive car of Dr. De Hartog, founder of ENKA
• Ownership history: Inherited by long-time chauffeur Jan Flores, later returned to our family
• Condition: Fully running, well preserved, original details intact
• Location: Arnhem, The Netherlands

If you are seriously interested, we would be happy to share more about the car’s background. We hope to find someone who values its heritage and will ensure it remains part of history for future generations.