1936 Austin 18/6 York Saloon

Lot details
Registration No: OSV 950
Chassis No: ERP523218
Mot Expiry: Nov 2009

Part of the revised Austin range introduced for the 1935 season, the six-cylinder 16hp and 18hp cars could be had in standard or long wheelbase guises and with a choice of Westminster, Chalfont, York or Hertford saloon coachwork. A six-light design mounted on the extended chassis, the York model boasted a Pytchley sliding roof, low floor, wide doors, large windows and separately adjustable front seats. Equipped with all-round semi-elliptic leaf-sprung suspension and four-wheel drum brakes, the 18hp variant was powered by a 2511cc sidevalve straight-six allied to four-speed manual transmission. Although no sportscar, it was reputedly capable of 65mph and 20mpg. Priced at £328, the 18hp York Saloon was available in Royal Blue, Maroon, Westminster Green, Black or Ash Grey, while its interior could be trimmed in Hide, Bedford Cord or Moquette upholstery (occasional seats were a £7 10s 0d extra). Well regarded machines, the six-cylinder 16hp and 18hp cars are thought to have accounted for 12,731 sales between 1935 and 1937. Though, today survivors are comparatively scarce.

Finished in Maroon over Black with brown / red leather upholstery, this particular example is described by the vendor as being in "good" condition with regard to its engine, electrical equipment, interior trim, coachwork and paintwork. Though, he notes that "the differential is worn". Reportedly the subject of a recent `body off' restoration that included a major engine overhaul and partial interior retrim (new Connolly hide, replacement headlining etc), the Austin is understood to have covered just 2,000 miles or so since the work was completed. Judging that (a) the paintwork needs "some touching-up" and (b) the interior refurbishment could do with being "finished off", the seller nevertheless sums-up the York saloon as "a lovely, large and imposing Austin of the 1930s". Riding on black-painted wire wheels, the car is offered for sale with MOT certificate valid until November 2009 and historic class (free) road tax valid until April 2010.