Austin 12/4

Austin Twelve-Four Ascot

Austin introduced this new car in September 1932. It was made by fitting a 1535 cc side-valve, four-cylinder engine with 24 bhp output into the same chassis as they had been making since late 1930 for their six-cylinder 12/6 which was also in the same 12 hp class. This new four cylinder engine was coupled to a four-speed "crash" gearbox at first, but a new transmission with synchromesh on third and top speed appeared in 1934 and then also on second in 1935. File:Austin Ascot 12slash4 (1935), Dutch licence registration 81-TM-01 pic5.JPG|Ascot 6-light saloon File:Austin Ascot 12slash4 (1935), Dutch licence registration 81-TM-01 pic1.JPG File:2006-07-motor-show-133 195961130.jpg 1936 Austin 124 Eton Coupe 8905496486.jpg|Eton two-seater tourer 1936 Austin 124 Eton Coupe 8904881113.jpg The chassis was very conventional, with semi-elliptic leaf springs on all wheels and rigid axles front and rear. Wire wheels were fitted until 1937 when they were replaced with pressed steel ones. At launch there was a choice of a pressed steel six-light (three windows on each side) saloon called the Harley and a two-seat tourer. A second saloon style with a boot, the Ascot, was added in 1934 and the Harley was dropped in 1935. In the same year the chromium-plated radiator shell was replaced by one painted in body colour. The very early cars had their side lights mounted on the scuttle, but these soon moved to the tops of the wings.

Austin Twelve New Ascot

On 11 August 1936 Austin announced a major update for 1937 with the engine being moved forward on the chassis to improve passenger space. Other improvements included an adjustable steering column and the windscreen wipers moving to the scuttle from the top of the screen. The bodies became much more rounded and in 1938 an estate car was added to the model line-up and the tourer, which was still being built in the old style, was replaced by a four-door cabriolet.

for 1939

Higher and wider doors were introduced for both Twelve and Fourteen in midsummer 1938.

File:Classic Car Day - Trentham - 15 Feb 2009 - Flickr - 111 Emergency (57).jpg|New body for 1937 File:Austin 12 late 1930s.JPG|Enlarged doors announced mid 1938 File:Austin Twelve Big Wheels Car Show 4890181429.jpg|1938-39

References

References

1. Sedgwick, Michael. (1989). "A-Z of Cars of the 1930s". Bay View Books.
2. Cheaper Motoring.''The Times'', Tuesday, 6 Sep 1932; pg. 10; Issue 46231