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Austin 10
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1932 - 1939 |
Country: |
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Engine: |
OHV in-line 4 |
Capacity: |
1125 cc |
Power: |
10 bhp |
Transmission: |
4 spd. man |
Top Speed: |
55 - 65 mph |
Number
Built: |
181,854 (All Models) |
Collectability: |
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Launched in 1932, the Austin 10 would become the
companies best seller for the remainder of the decade,
then continuing in production (albiet with significant
revisions) right up
until 1947.
Conservatively designed, the Austin 10 used a pressed steel body built on a cross
braced chassis.
To provide better road-holding, the engineers were able to lower
the height of the car (and thus centre of gravity) by dipping the chassis 2.75
inches (70mm) between each axle.
The Austin 10 was powered by a 1125cc four cylinder side valve engine (good for
21bhp), which drove the rear wheels through a four speed gearbox and open drive
shaft to a live rear axle.
Suspension was by half elliptic springs all round,
and cable operated brakes were fitted. Foot to the floor, going downhill and
with a slight tail wind, the 10 could easily reach 55mph.
When first feleased, the four-door saloon was available in two distinct versions,
the “base” model costing £155, and the “Sunshine De
Luxe” offering an opening roof and leather upholstery, all for an extra £13.
1933 saw the saloons joined by an open two seater or "Open Road" tourer,
a "Colwyn" cabriolet and
a van. A sports model, the 65 mph, 30 bhp "Ripley" joined
the range in 1934. Mechanical upgrades for 1934 included a stronger chassis,
synchromesh on
the top two gears and 12 volt electrics.
Styling changes came in late 1934, the radiator surround being replaced by one
painted in the cars body color, and it was given a slight slope. Synchromesh
was added to second gear and "semaphore" type indicators were standardised.
The saloon was renamed the "Lichfield", and now featured a protruding
boot which enclosed the spare wheel.
A new body style was added in 1936 with the six light (three windows down each
side, with one behind the rear door) "Sherbourne" but the big change
came in 1937 with the almost streamlined "Cambridge" saloon and "Conway" cabriolet.
Other changes included Girling rod brakes, 16 inch steel disc wheels replaced
the 19 inch wires and the passenger compartment was significantly increased
in size by moving the engine forwards by 4 inches (100 mm). Top speed
rose to 60 mph. These changes did not appear on the open cars, which no
longer included the Ripley sports, until 1938 when all cars also gained an aluminum
cylinder head on the engine.
Argentine born Ricardo "Dick" Burzi joined Austin from Lancia in
1929, and he was responsible for the radically different 1939 iteration, the
body shell now incorporating the floor to give a semi-unitary structure. Other
improvements included hinges being fitted to the bonnet (rather than the previous
and now very old-fashioned side opening type) and the radiator grille became
rounded. Unfortunately the cabriolet model was dropped.
In spite of the outbreak
of World War 2, production of the Austin 10 continued in large numbers, some
53,000 being manufactured throughout the war years, the pick-ups and vans being
affectionately named “Tillies”. |