1928 Austin 12/4 Fabric Saloon

Description

From a deceased estate; ex-Peter Black Car Museum; wonderfully original with patina to die for; a heavenly 1920s time capsule; just how we like them

Launched in late 1921, the Austin 12 was dubbed 'The Salesman's Joy' due to the way it fairly flew out of the showroom, some 70,000 examples being sold by 1927, its peak year of production.

In combination with the immortal Seven, it secured Austin's long term future and remained on sale until 1935 although a taxi version was still available as late as 1939. During this time the 12/4 became a byword for indestructibility thanks to its superb build quality and fundamentally sound design.

The engine was a five-bearing side-valve four, initially displacing 1,661cc for which the factory claimed 27bhp at just 2,000rpm. This was sufficient for 40-45mph cruising, at which speed the 12 returned around 26mpg. Enduringly popular and beautifully designed, the 12/4 epitomised Austin's marketing slogan, 'The Dependable Austin' and remains a firm favourite with Vintage enthusiasts to this day.

Supplied new by Austin agent George A Campbell of Leeds in July 1928 (their plaque is still on the dash), this gorgeous 12/4 Fabric Saloon is astonishingly well-preserved and has clearly led a charmed existence over its 97 years to date.

Steel was still in short supply following the Great War and fabric bodies, well-insulated and tightly stretched across an ash frame, were not only lighter and appreciably quieter, they also improved performance and fuel economy, the only downside being that they tended to be less durable than sheet metal - making this car all the more remarkable.

A cloth-bound Motor Log shows that by 1931 it was owned by a Mr Charles Stephenson of Beverley who kept a detailed record of every penny spent on the car and every mile travelled in it between May 1931 and April 1939. It was then presumably laid up for the duration of World War Two as private motoring was banned and petrol coupons were only issued to those whose work was deemed essential to the war effort. It is quite likely that Mr Stehenson would have been called up for active service himself, although whether he made it home to resume enjoying his Austin, who knows?  

The story picks up again in 1960 by which time the car was owned by a Mr WJ Pratt of Leeds, a letter from The Austin Motor Company dated August 1960 complimenting him on the excellent condition of his car and recommending that he use ‘a good quality shoe polish’ to preserve the fabric body.

There are also invoices for a new set of brakes, new radiator, new dynamo and new tyres at around this time, along with the novelty of an MOT certificate issued in January 1961 – the MOT test had only been introduced a few months before for vehicles over 10 years old, initially on a voluntary basis but becoming compulsory in February 1961.

A buff logbook details two more owners in the early-1960s and it was then acquired by The Peter Black Car Museum in Keighley where it was to remain for the next 30 years.

In October 1994 the Austin was acquired from the museum by a Mr JT Otto-Jones of Cowbridge who presumably recommissioned the car because there are 18 old MOTs from 1994 – 2012 showing that it was in regular use throughout his ownership and beyond.

The current owner acquired the car from Mr Otto-Jones in January 2008 to join his collection of Vintage machines and he too continued to use it lightly, adding another 500 miles or so to the odometer.

On offer here from a deceased estate at no reserve, we are told that the Austin was last driven about three years ago and was in good running order when parked up.

As you can see in the photos, this heavenly 12/4 Fabric Saloon is a fabulous 1920s time capsule. The burgundy leather interior is in wonderfully original condition with that priceless patina that only comes with decades of careful use. The original silk window blinds for the rear windows are all still in place, as are the lovely door furnishings, the brass and Bakelite ashtrays and the nickel plated dash instruments. Modern carpets have been loosely fitted but the remnants of the original burgundy carpets are still underneath should you wish to get a new set made more in keeping with the car.

The original fabric body, with its exquisite brass banding strips, is all intact and the doors still click shut precisely, testament to the skill of the crafstmen who built it almost 100 years ago. The only real damage is to the roof around the smoker’s hatch where the fabric has perished and the cotton wool wadding is showing through.  

It is exceedingly rare for motorcars to survive like this and while it seems crass to put a value on such an artefact, that's for you to decide. We only hope the new owners will appreciate just how precious it is and continue to preserve it well into the 22nd Century and beyond. Do not even think of restoring it - they are only original once!

Consigned by James Dennison – 07970 309907 – [email protected]