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1924' Austin 12 Hp Hertford
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£24,950Published 17 June 2018ID: 5ooloP
Expired
6 years, 5 months ago
6 years, 5 months ago
Information from the owner
Age: 94 years
Seller's comments about 1924' Austin 12 Hp Hertford
In many ways the vintage Austin ‘Heavy’ 12 formed a cornerstone of ‘sensible’ motoring in the early to mid 1920’s. Launched in 1921, Austin provided a reliable and dependable motor car available in a choice of bodies, being the Windsor saloon, Clifton four seat Tourer, and the Hertford two / four seat tourer with passengers being carried in the dickey seat. Sharing the 12 HP five bearing crank 1661 cc side valve engine, driven through a four speed gearbox across four models, the Austin 12 by 1924 provided a sensible choice for many owners in Britain and the Colonies. Shortly after introduction the Austin 12 underwent a number of improvements, and by late 1924, the first models with four wheel brakes and shock absorbers became available.
The Austin Heavy 12 we have for sale, is a rare example of the Hertford 2/4 seater with dickey. Pre 2000, it was the only car in running and restored condition known to survive across the British, Australian and NZ registers, since 2000, one or two may have subsequently emerged for restoration. This Austin 12 Hertford was originally purchased by Miss Katherine Quayle personally from Austin in Birmingham, it was then shipped complete to Australia, and then transported by rail to Grafton, to be collected and driven to the village of Maclean, a distance of some 30 thirty miles, this being the longest journey covered by Miss Quayle in the car during her lifetime. For the next 35 years the car was driven into Maclean twice a month from Miss Quayle’s farm, a round trip of some four miles. On her death in 1959, the Austin had only covered some 6320 miles. It was saved from dereliction in 1967 by Mike Gallaher, who gently restored the car over the next twenty years, having it ready for the 1988 Australian Bi-Centeniall Rally, during which he passed through the town of Maclean, meeting the town’s Historical Society who were able to provide him with the history of the car and Miss ‘Katie’ Quayle. Fully restored and fully documented, the Austin was purchased from the late Anthony Booth of Orchid Cars in late 1998 by a customer of ours in Jersey, who has recently passed away. During the near 20 years in his ownership, the Austin was used regularly in Island motoring events, and for longer runs in Europe, being regularly maintained and cared for.
Having the chassis up restoration completed in 1988, the Austin is still in extremely good overall condition, the engine runs very well, and starts on the button,the car retains all of it’s original nickel fittings, the burgundy leather interior is in the correct faux alligator skin pattern, the hood and side screens are all in very good condition, the car carries its original instrumentation ,fittings and C.A.V. lights.Oil pressure is constant, and the car when on test shows no signs of overheating. The four wheel brakes work effectively for a vintage car, and the gearbox is managed by a light touch of the hand.
When restored, the original coachwork was retained, and the original wooden frame was replaced by a new timbers made from Tasmanian Oak, treated in marine cuprinol. The original Austin factory coachwork is correct down to the level of the 1914 patented bonnet hinges, the nickel fittings, seat frames and windscreen. The car was correctly re-upholstered in faux alligator skin patterned burgundy hide, which now has a mellow appearance in keeping with the rest of the car. The hood and sidesceens are all in fine condition, and provide adequate protection from the English weather, equally the carpets were made in high quality wool, and remain with little wear.
Following the restoration and subsequent use over the last twenty years, the Hertford tourer has been well maintained by the owner, with occasional help from specialist motor engineers when required. Today it runs extremely well, the Zenith carburettor and Autovac being original equipment, oil pressure is constant as is the temperature recorded on the radiator gauge.
The history and car are well documented by period technical manuals, articles on the Austin 12, and histories of the model written by Tony Smallbone, these are complimented by the history of the car in Austalia which accompany the Austin, as do reports of runs and events in Jersey, which it has participated in over the last twenty years.
A photograhic album of the chassis up restoration in Australia is included with the documentation.
The Austin Heavy 12 we have for sale, is a rare example of the Hertford 2/4 seater with dickey. Pre 2000, it was the only car in running and restored condition known to survive across the British, Australian and NZ registers, since 2000, one or two may have subsequently emerged for restoration. This Austin 12 Hertford was originally purchased by Miss Katherine Quayle personally from Austin in Birmingham, it was then shipped complete to Australia, and then transported by rail to Grafton, to be collected and driven to the village of Maclean, a distance of some 30 thirty miles, this being the longest journey covered by Miss Quayle in the car during her lifetime. For the next 35 years the car was driven into Maclean twice a month from Miss Quayle’s farm, a round trip of some four miles. On her death in 1959, the Austin had only covered some 6320 miles. It was saved from dereliction in 1967 by Mike Gallaher, who gently restored the car over the next twenty years, having it ready for the 1988 Australian Bi-Centeniall Rally, during which he passed through the town of Maclean, meeting the town’s Historical Society who were able to provide him with the history of the car and Miss ‘Katie’ Quayle. Fully restored and fully documented, the Austin was purchased from the late Anthony Booth of Orchid Cars in late 1998 by a customer of ours in Jersey, who has recently passed away. During the near 20 years in his ownership, the Austin was used regularly in Island motoring events, and for longer runs in Europe, being regularly maintained and cared for.
Having the chassis up restoration completed in 1988, the Austin is still in extremely good overall condition, the engine runs very well, and starts on the button,the car retains all of it’s original nickel fittings, the burgundy leather interior is in the correct faux alligator skin pattern, the hood and side screens are all in very good condition, the car carries its original instrumentation ,fittings and C.A.V. lights.Oil pressure is constant, and the car when on test shows no signs of overheating. The four wheel brakes work effectively for a vintage car, and the gearbox is managed by a light touch of the hand.
When restored, the original coachwork was retained, and the original wooden frame was replaced by a new timbers made from Tasmanian Oak, treated in marine cuprinol. The original Austin factory coachwork is correct down to the level of the 1914 patented bonnet hinges, the nickel fittings, seat frames and windscreen. The car was correctly re-upholstered in faux alligator skin patterned burgundy hide, which now has a mellow appearance in keeping with the rest of the car. The hood and sidesceens are all in fine condition, and provide adequate protection from the English weather, equally the carpets were made in high quality wool, and remain with little wear.
Following the restoration and subsequent use over the last twenty years, the Hertford tourer has been well maintained by the owner, with occasional help from specialist motor engineers when required. Today it runs extremely well, the Zenith carburettor and Autovac being original equipment, oil pressure is constant as is the temperature recorded on the radiator gauge.
The history and car are well documented by period technical manuals, articles on the Austin 12, and histories of the model written by Tony Smallbone, these are complimented by the history of the car in Austalia which accompany the Austin, as do reports of runs and events in Jersey, which it has participated in over the last twenty years.
A photograhic album of the chassis up restoration in Australia is included with the documentation.
