Austin 20 hp

Austin 20-hp was a mid-sized premium quality car made by British manufacturer Austin Motor Company Limited introduced to the public at the Olympia Motor Show in November 1913. While at first glance it may have seemed to take the place within Austin's range of their 18-24 car which was really a 30-40 hp, its engine was just two-thirds of the size of the old car. The new car was not an enlarged 15 but a scaled down 30.^[3]

Bodies

The body displayed at the first Show was a six or seven seater landaulette. Fitted as standard with a dynamo electric lighting system it cost £675.^[4]

Landaulette

Display advertising in the Manchester Guardian under the heading Comfort Carriages described this Marlborough landaulette as smart enough for the most fashionable, accommodating six people including the driver, with Austin detachable steel wheels, Dunlop tyres, electric lighting, ventilator in roof and two emergency seats. In addition a horn was supplied and a kit of tools. Coachwork and trim colour to owner's selection. Quick delivery can be made, price £693.^[5]

Phaeton

The 20 hp Vitesse Phaeton was pictured in the same newspaper. It came with a waterproof canvas hood, double-folding windscreen, grooved and studded tyres, detachable wheels (with spare and studded tyre), dynamo lighting system with all lamps, speedometer, lifting jack, tyre pump and levers, horn and kit of tools. Painted and trimmed to client's own colour selection £596:10:0

Mechanicals

The 20-hp retained the by now rare engine design of its predecessors having separately cast cylinders. The engine's pistons or 3½ inch cylinder bore comes from the 15-hp car and the longer stroke or crankshaft and connecting rods, from the 18-24.^[1] The other chassis dimensions are very close to those of the 18-24.^[2] The gearbox is an improved rendition of that for the old 15 hp car. Otherwise it was believed the chassis called for no special comment being an example of sound and orthodox design except for the rear suspension. The Austin patent full elliptic rear springs are almost unique among English cars. However the high standard of workmanship and finish in the engine and the whole finely turned out chassis was noted by The Times.^[1]

Trial

The car presented for trial was a standard open 5-passenger machine. It was taken out to High Wycombe and Prince's Risborough then over Kop Hill back to London. A strong head wind kept the speed down to 40 mph but on the return a 50 mph pace was easily set and maintained. It is a moderate size of engine but it runs remarkably smoothly and with elasticity. Many other engines of a similar size give greater power but the Austin is serene in its work. The throttle had to be kept wide open to achieve the desired performance and while pick-up and acceleration were good perhaps another form of carburettor might give a great improvement. It is not a fast car on the level or hill-climbing. Kop Hill was climbed with little effort but first gear was required about one hundred yards from the summit.^[1]

Gear change is smooth and easy, brakes and suspension are excellent, the engine runs without noise and vibration. The reviewer described it as "a common-sense motor-car". The price of the chassis is £375.^[1] Using a catchphrase of the day—it wouldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding.

Bigger engine

The engine was enlarged to 3.6-litres for the 1916 season.^[2]

References

External links

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