1934 Austin Heavy 12/4 Landaulette Conversion

Registration No: UAS 928
Chassis No: 75348
MOT: Exempt

• Rare surviving Austin Heavy 12/4 that is thought to have been converted from a Berkeley saloon into a Landaulette during the 1960s
• Much loved by the vendor's late husband who was an engineer and former MOT tester
• Recently retrimmed and nicely detailed throughout with an under-bonnet Speedwell can etc
• Used for fair weather motoring and proms in recent years
• Famously robust 1861cc four-cylinder engine, part synchromesh gearbox, four-wheel drum brakes

Introduced in 1921, the Twelve was no less important to Austin’s success than the diminutive Seven. Renowned for its rugged and dependable nature, the larger horsepower model gained a longer stroke engine (1861cc) and wider track (4ft 4in) chassis during 1926. Revised again some seven years later, it was rechristened the Heavy 12/4 to differentiate it from its recently introduced Light 12/4 and Light 12/6 siblings. Sharing its chassis and bodywork with the more expensive 16/6, the Heavy 12/4 sported wire wheels and wing-mounted sidelights. Synchromesh was standardised on the top two ratios of the four-speed manual gearbox for 1934 and a top speed of 61mph quoted. Only in production from 1933-1935, just 7,890 Heavy 12/4s were made.

An engineer and former MOT tester, the vendor’s late husband acquired ‘UAS 928’ during 2006. Very much his ‘pride and joy’, the Austin was carefully improved and maintained over the next fifteen years with the most recent major work being a full interior re-trim. Reputedly beginning life in Southend-on-Sea as a Berkeley Saloon, the Heavy 12/4 is thought to have been reconfigured as a Landaulette during the 1960s. Elegant yet practical, this charming Post-Vintage Austin is expected to be driven to the sale.