Lot Ended
Description
1935 Austin 18/6 York
Recently restored
at a cost of over £30,000; interesting history; a wonderful example of
this spacious saloon
Although the
first Austin car was marketed as early as 1906, it was not until the 1922 season
that the company established itself as the number one player in the domestic car
market. This was due largely to the phenomenal success of Austin's 7hp and 12hp
models (the latter described by Georgano as ‘one of the hardest-wearing machines
of all time’) which gained a reputation for utter dependability at an affordable
price.
By 1932 they had been joined by two
other outstanding models, the 16hp and the 18hp, particularly lively
six-cylinder machines which were available in standard or long-wheelbase form
with a choice of Westminster, Chalfont, York or Hertford saloon
coachwork.
The
York version, as here, was a six-light design on the extended chassis and
featured a Pytchley sliding roof, low floor, wide doors, large windows and
separately adjustable front seats. The 2.5-litre sidevalve straight-six was
allied to four-speed manual transmission and made the York good for 65mph with
20mpg economy and effective four-wheel drum brakes.
First registered in June 1935, this 18/6 York reputedly spent its
first 25 years as a private hire car which operated from Burrow Hill Garage in
Chobham, Surrey. Unlike civilian cars, the York was allowed to work throughout
the war (the buff logbook containing stamps from the Ministry of Fuel) and was
only retired in 1960 as it was by then considered too old fashioned to earn a
decent living as a hire car.
Tucked away in the
back of the garage for the next five years, it was then acquired by a Robin
Higgs of Woking who was to keep it for another 34 years but never drove it on
the road, keeping it stored in his garage, as confirmed by correspondence on
file. In 1999 he finally sold it to a David Kent who took it back to his farm
in North Wales and also tucked it away for another seven
years.
In 2006 he embarked on a body-off
restoration which was to take three years and reputedly cost over £30,000 to
complete and is documented by notes and a CD of images on file. The chassis was
cleaned, rebushed and repainted, the back axle rebuilt, the brakes and steering
fully overhauled and the wheels were rebuilt with stronger spokes to allow for
use as a tow car.
The front axle and the engine
were sent off to Available Austins of Coventry to be fully rebuilt, the axle
getting new king pins, bearings, bushes and suspension components. The engine
had new pistons, bearings, reground crank, con rods, camshaft and followers,
timing chain, oil pump etc, the bill for this lot coming to some £7,750.
In addition it also received a recored
radiator, new Zenith carburettor, stainless steel exhaust, new wiring harness,
new lights and flashing indicators, rebuilt dynamo and a starter motor from a
more modern Series Two Land Rover.
The
bodywork was restored as required, the sliding sunroof being carefully rebuilt
with new steel drainers in place of rubbers to prevent leaks. The whole car was
then professionally repainted to a high standard in blue with black wings and
the brightwork was replated.
The interior was
retrimmed with new carpets and headlining and new seat covers, keeping the
original leather underneath to allow for future renovation if
desired.
In 2012, when the Austin had only covered 600 miles since the
rebuild, Mr Kent was forced to sell the car due to relocation and it has had
just two owners since, our vendor acquiring it in 2018. It has now done around
2,500 miles and is nicely run-in, being serviced annually in the current
ownership and receiving new rear brake shoes, new HT leads and a rebuilt water
pump. A useful quantity of running spares are included, along with an original
Austin 18 handbook and parts catalogue.
No stranger to the local show
circuit where it has won Pick of the Paddock and Best in Class, it remains in
super condition today and has been starting promptly and running beautifully as
we have moved it around on site with good 30psi oil
pressure.
For more information
contact James on 07970 309907 or email [email protected]
* All charges are subject to VAT