1947 Austin Eight Saloon

Lot details
Registration No: FUY 589
Chassis No: A51-2322
Mot Expiry: July 2003

The Austin 8 first appeared in 1937 and this 1947 example is from the final year of production. The trusty saloon from Brum proved to be a worthy successor to the older 7 which it supplanted. The 900cc 4-cylinder engine gave owner-drivers the impression that they had a much larger power unit under the bonnet.
Thanks to TV exposure, the car being auctioned here is perhaps the best known of all of the surviving 8 saloons as it was much filmed being driven by actor David Rintoul in the role of Dr Finlay, the hugely popular series being shown not only in the UK, but throughout the old Empire on screens in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa as well as on the Continent and the US. Indeed, such was the high speed reputation of the star and car during many scenes - on more than one occasion the Dr's car being in great danger of leaving the road - that the late Ian Bannen, who played colleague Dr Cameron, was once heard to ask Dr Finlay whether he was auditioning for Le Mans!
According to the vendor, body and paintwork in trad black are very good, though the brown interior now needs attention, whilst both engine and transmission are reportedly good. Apart from such super TV provenance, the car comes complete with starting handle and jack - and, of course, is tax disc duty exempt.