Austin 12 Classic Cars for Sale

History of the Austin 12

Introduced in 1921, the Austin Twelve was Herbert Austin’s direct response to the slow uptake of the larger Austin Twenty. Launched while the company was recovering from financial distress, the Twelve was designed for the British tax regime, as reflected by its fiscal horsepower rating (12.8 HP) rather than its actual output. The initial models, closely linked to the design principles of the Austin Twenty, offered reliable, torquey engines using a long-stroke layout. The Austin 12 saw a broad array of uses, including as London taxis and bespoke cabriolet and saloon variants, with some remaining in use today as both pristine originals and carefully rebuilt vehicles.

Model History

The Austin 12 evolved through various pre-war iterations. Early versions featured a 4-cylinder engine (hence 12/4), with the later 12/6 adopting a 6-cylinder powerplant. Bodywork ranged from saloons to drophead coupés and commercial variants, including taxis constructed in Birmingham. Many carried features now synonymous with the era, such as right-hand drive setups and robust but simple mechanical gearboxes. Predecessors included earlier Austin saloon cars, while post-war, the template of the 12 saw the broader Austin line diversify.

Key Features and Market Share

Notable variants included the 12/4 and rarer 12/6, saloons, taxis, and open-top drophead coupés. Reproduction and original bodies were sometimes constructed from aluminium, with some finished in natural, unpainted metal. Typical epoch features were cab-friendly fire extinguishers, interior illumination, angled rear footrests, door-mounted ashtrays, and a selection of original accessories. The Austin 12’s tooling and design documents are often still found with well-preserved examples, including period tax discs and registration paperwork.

Technical Data

Special Editions and Rare Models

The rare Austin 12/6, distinguished by its 6-cylinder engine, is especially noteworthy, with some types reportedly present as single known examples within Germany. Additionally, drophead coupé versions, some rebuilt on Austin truck chassis or featuring bespoke hand-built aluminium bodies, are prized by collectors for their historical authenticity and engineering uniqueness.

Performance, Engine, and Handling

Early Twelves delivered a mechanical simplicity, with long-stroke engines providing robust performance at low revs. The combination of manual gearbox and drum brakes reflected best practices of 1920s- and 1930s-era technology. Driving dynamics are distinctly pre-war, prioritising torque and reliability over high speeds. Retrofit examples exist featuring non-original engines (e.g., Buick, Ford), but original specifications emphasise robustness and mechanical accessibility. - Austin 12/4: 4-cylinder, known for torque and reliability.

• Austin 12/6: 6-cylinder, very rare, occasionally seen in right-hand drive saloon form.
• Austin 12 DHC (Drophead Coupé): rare open-topped layout, often rebuilt for show.
• Birmingham taxi: robust chassis, cab features, historically significant as early city transport.

Interior, Comfort, Exterior and Design

Design elements on the Austin 12 highlight the transition from utilitarian engineering to touches of luxury—such as door-mounted ashtrays, cabin illumination, and rear seat passenger comfort like angled footrests. Hand-built aluminium bodies were both lighter and emblematic of craftsmanship, occasionally left unpainted for a unique finish. Factory-original documentation, including tools and user manuals, were standard, and period-correct, right-hand drive configuration was almost universal. Accessories include opening roofs and special seating solutions (like the Dickey seat for cabriolet variants), while some models offered rare two-tone or unpainted aluminium exterior treatments.

Other Details

Some surviving Austin 12s remain registered with original British number plates and maintain complete documentation, enhancing their provenance and appeal. Rarely, unique models or one-offs surface, particularly among the commercial and drophead variants.

Summary

The Austin 12 represents a study in evolution from practical engineering to period luxury, with most models reflecting the social and technological realities of pre-war Britain. Its continued presence in the classic market is marked by strong listing and viewing numbers, wide variety in type and specification, and a robust supply of period-correct and thoughtfully restored vehicles.