North West Casual Classics

Well following on from his win last month with the Sunbeam is Dougie O with this year’s winner of the John Wayne Greatbanks Trophy a 1935 Austin 12/4 Tourer.

The 12/4 was produced by the Austin Company from 1933 -1939. To distinguish from earlier models, it became known as the Austin Light 12/4.  The 1525cc side valve engine was coupled to a 4-speed gearbox with synchromesh on 2, 3 and 4^th.  The chassis is conventional with leaf springs and rigid axle.  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.

In 1935 Martin-Walters Coachbuilders of Kent were commissioned to fit 4 door tourer bodies onto this chassis.  After a short run, production was stopped to allow them to switch to military vehicles.

In September 1935 this vehicle was bought from the Austin Showrooms in Longacre Lane London by Gerald Godwin of Devizes and registered as CGH507.

In 1939 it was taken off the road and put into storage where it remained for the next 71 years.  In 2005 work began on the restoration which took 6 years and 4 different owners.

It is a very rare car thought to be one of only six remaining survivors.

Dougie says that it is a pleasure to drive and has been used as a wedding vehicle for friends and has been seen on television in both Home Fires and Brassic.

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