Coches Austin (hasta 1940): libros - historia, modelos y técnica

An entertaining collection of true stories that feature just a few of the products manufactured by the Austin Motor Company from 1906 until the outbreak of the Second World War, including the people who helped to make them, those who drove them, and even those who flew them.

Although the history of the Austin Seven and Taxicabs have been covered before in much greater detail elsewhere, you will find within these pages the stories of many other Austin creations: the Austin 12/6 which could be won by smoking Kensitas cigarettes; the Austin 20 which competed in the 1914 Austrian Alpine Trial; the remarkable racing car named `Pobble' which went on to serve as an ambulance during the First World War, and the Australian couple who, in 1926, decided to drive their Austin Twelve right around Australia.

The Music Hall artist, George Clarke, who performed on stage with his Austin Seven, and the `Austin Unity Song,' a recording of which was presented to guests at the Company's Annual dinner, are just two more fascinating stories which go to make up this Austin Anthology.

Features:
- The Austin heir killed by a German sniper during WW1
- An Austin bi-plane you could keep in your garage
- The Longbridge typist who was murdered by her married lover
- The Royal Flying Corps fighter ace who designed his own aeroplane
- How Queen Mary greatly enjoyed the Austin Seven's antics at the London Palladium
- The Austin Twelve that was driven right around Australia in 1926
- The largest Austin ever built with all the luxuries of a mobile home
- What happened to the pensioned-off taxis - not all were scrapped ... some went on amazing journeys
- The apprentice who asked for time off to go to the pantomime.

Following on from Jim Stringer's first book 'An Austin Anthology,' this second volume features 20 more stories relating to the Austin Motor Company, its products and the people who purchased them.
The author takes a look at the very first Austin to be built, and discovers why it was able to be offered to the public so quickly after the Company's formation only a few month's earlier. He also uncovers how the single-cylinder Austin Seven, whilst designed at Longbridge, was actually built at the Swift Motor Car factory in Coventry, and offered as a Swift or an Austin.

In 1908 Herbert Austin produced four 100hp racing cars to compete at the French Grand Prix in Dieppe. But what happened to them afterwards? And is the only survivor, now on display at the British Heritage Museum, Gaydon as genuine as it would appear?

And then there is the story of Daisy Fearon, whose only means of transport was a 1928 Austin which she'd owned since 1931. As Daisy aged, her driving became less and less predictable, causing those who knew her to run for cover when she was seen at the wheel.

An amusing and nostalgic collection of stories, illustrated with original period photographs, An Austin Anthology II is bound to entertain and delight all Austin enthusiasts.

Un livre de Brooklands consacré aux voitures Austin Seven, introduite en 1922, et l'Austin Ten, en production depuis 1932. Description des modèles Austin Seven et Ten Saloon, voitures de sport, Specials, voitures de compétition, Swallow, Bantam, Hawk, Ruby, Big Seven, Ten-Four, Sherborne et Cambridge.

• Les 67 articles, parus à l'époque dans la presse automobile anglo-saxonne, sont une bonne source d'information sur l'histoire, l'évolution des modèles et la technique.
• Aussi des impressions de conduite, essais, tests comparatifs, données techniques, etc.

The Austin Seven was truly "Motoring for the Millions," and Herbert Austin's baby car has fascinated thousands of enthusiasts for almost a century, with the sheer variety of more than 300 distinct works or coach-built types in 17 years of production.
The Austin Seven engine also powered aeroplanes, boats, tractors and motorcycles, and was put to many astonishing uses, all described in this book.

This book tells the story of this most popular of pre-war cars in all its variations, from the earliest Chummy of the 1920s, through Sports, Military, Box and Ruby Saloons to the exquisite Twin Cam racers of the late 1930s.

There is also a section on the use of the Austin Seven post World War Two, and the car's competition role in trials, hill climbs and circuit racing, including the amazingly successful 750 Formula, which sparked off the careers of famous men like Colin Chapman, Eric Broadley, Arthur Mallock and Tony Southgate, and the craze of building sporting Austin Seven "Specials" which peaked in the 1950s.

The book includes period, detail drawings and rarely seen photographs, and is a must for the Austin Seven or general motoring enthusiast.

Models covered:
- Austin Sevens 1922-1939
- Dixi/BMWs 7 hp 1927-1932
- Rosengart L.R. 1928-1953
- American Austin/Bantam 1930-1941.

One of the most famous of British cars, the diminutive but robust 750 cc Austin Seven, introduced in 1922, changed the course of automobile design and proved the viability of the small-capacity four-cylinder car.
The salvation of the Austin company, it was aimed at families who might otherwise have travelled by motorcycle and sidecar, and it remained in production until 1939.

The Seven performed as well on the race track as it did on the road and inspired a team of magnificent twin overhead camshaft single-seaters. It survives in respectable numbers to provide new generations of enthusiasts with a practical, economical car to run, race and restore.

Table of Contents:
- Small is Beautiful
- The Vintage Years 1922-29
- Business is Booming 1930-39
- Racing and Records
- Austin Seven Production 1922-39
- Further Reading
- Places to Visit.

The Austin Seven was Britain's cheapest and successful pre-war car, with nearly 300,000 built. A complex family tree of models evolved over the years. The early four-seater tourers were soon supplemented by saloons, open two-seaters, coupés and sports models.
On top of some 50 different body styles produced at Longbridge, more elaborate Sevens came from coachbuilders such as Swallow and Gordon England, and licence-built versions were made in Germany, France and the USA.

But how many surviving Austin Sevens - restored, unrestored or even derelict - boast the completely original and authentic specification that the most discerning enthusiasts now demand? The information needed to determine how a restored car should look and what parts it should contain is difficult to find, especially as the model range is so wide, but help is at hand in "Original Austin Seven".

This painstakingly researched book, compiled from all known sources of factory information, aims to reveal how these charming cars altered in detail over the years. Specification descriptions, chassis and body evolution, production changes, body colours, optional extras and accessories, special coachwork, overseas variations - the minutiae are covered for all Austin Seven models.

Accompanying the text are over 270 photographs showing all the significant model variations and the important mechanical and trim changes.
Considerable detective work went into finding over 25 cars - some highly original, others fastidiously restored - for special photography in colour, while selected archive material completes the coverage. The illustrations in themselves provide a valuable reference source.

Until now there has been no in-depth book about the Austin 12/4. This most worthy of cars epitomised Herbert Austin's philosophy that his cars must demonstrate longevity, robust construction, sound engineering and represent good value for money.

Here we have the story behind the model's introduction, contemporary press reports, early advertisements, from the first brochures issued up to 1934-35, the various body styles available.
Those which were exported as chassis to New Zealand and Australia and then bodied locally are also included. The taxicabs have a section to themselves, as does the different coachwork available from various coachbuilders - including the work they undertook during the war.

When many cabs dating from the thirties were pensioned off in the early fifties, they took on many other roles, and Jim details some of them.
Separate chapters are reserved for 12/4s which have earned their own special place in the Austin Twelve's history; these include "Peggy", the cab featured in the film Carry on Cabby, and "Gumdrop", the tourer immortalised by the late Val Biro.

The Austin 12/4 has survived in respectable numbers, and if you are wondering why, Jim's book will leave you in no doubt. Everything you need to know about the Heavy 12/4 Austin, including stories of restorations, is in this book. In 2022 we celebrate the centenary of the addition of this model to the Austin range

This book chronicles how Austin overcame the tough austerity period immediately after WWII and went on to design a comprehensive range of cars, sports cars, limousines, taxicabs, off-roaders, military vehicles, vans and trucks that has never been equalled by one single manufacturer.

In the immediate post-war years its modern and innovative range of cars, trucks and vans were forced to take on world markets as a result of the British Government's "Export or die" mandate to help pay off massive war debts. At its peak, Austin was required to export 75% of production, resulting in long waiting lists for new vehicles on the home market.
As a result, many of its impressive range of modern vehicles were to find customers in the four corners of the world, helping to establish Austin as one of the world's best known auto makers at the time.

Period covered: 1945-1959

Models covered: Austin Tilly wartime truck, Austin 8,10,12 and 16, A30 and A35, A40 Devon and Dorset, A40 Somerset, A40 Sports, A40 Tourer, A40 Cambridge, A50 Cambridge, A55 Cambridge, A70 Hampshire, A70 Hereford, A90 Atlantic, A90 Westminster, A95 Westminster, A125 Sheerline, A135 Princess, Austin Champ, Austin Gipsy, Austin Healey, Austin Healey Sprite, Austin Leader, Austin FX3 and FX4 taxicabs.

Plus A40 Farina, A55 Farina Cambridge, A99 Farina Westminster.

Plus A35 trucks and vans, A40 trucks and vans, A70 trucks, K8 trucks and vans, J2 trucks and vans, FX3 trucks and vans, Assorted ambulances, fire trucks and hearses.

Austin cars continued in production long after the other marques that formed BMC were discontinued, with only the MG name that was applied to some Rover models lasting beyond 2000.

Illustrated in full colour and with detailed information including colour schemes, optional equipment and technical specifications, this book provides a complete catalogue of the cars from 1948 onwards, including the Austin models built by the Rover group during the 1990s.
This is the ultimate book for those interested in the Austin marque.

Period Covered: 1948-1990

Models Covered:
- A40 Dorset/Devon, A40 Somerset
- A70 Hampshire, A70 Hereford
- A30
- A35
- A40 Cambridge, A50 Cambridge, A55 Cambridge mk1
- A40 Farina mark 1, A40 Farina mark 2
- A55 Cambridge, A60 Cambridge
- A90 Westminster, A95 Westminster, A99 Westminster, A105 Westminster, A110 Westminster, A110 Westminster 2
- Austin 7 (Mini), Austin Mini, Austin Mini mark 2, Mini, Mini Clubman
- 1100 mark 1, 1100 mark 2/1300, 1100/1300 mark 3
- 1800 mark 1, 1800 mark 2, 1800 mark 3
- 2200
- 3 Litre
- Maxi 1, Maxi 2
- Allegro 1, Allegro 2, Allegro 3
- 18/22 series
- Princess 1, Princess 2
- Ambassador
- Metro & Rover 100
- Maestro (incl. Rover)
- Montego (incl. Rover).

Models Not Covered: pre 1948 models, Austin Healey sports cars, cars produced by coachbuilders and outside companies i.e. A125, A135 and Taxi models.

Formed 'officially' in 1952 from the amalgamation of Morris Motors Ltd and the Austin Motor Company Ltd, the British Motor Corporation grew exponentially over the next 16 years, bringing a multitude of marques and models to the market.

Graham Robson presents a total history of BMC, a comprehensive directory of the brands and vehicles that made up the whole. Beginning with a superbly detailed account of the 'pre-history' of BMC, and the many threads that combined to bring Austin and Morris together to create the BMC empire, this deeply researched book is unrivalled in detail and scope.

Along with a detailed history of the company and its creation, Robson provides a comprehensive directory of the marques and models that made up the BMC. From Austin to Wolseley, and taking in names such as Metropolitan and Vanden Plas along the way, each has a dedicated, detailed chapter.

Each chapter includes model histories, plus dates of manufacture, production numbers, technical specifications including chassis layouts, and engine and transmission specifications. You'll even find model dimensions, and the fates of individual model lines.

This new edition covers the cars of the period 1945 to 1975, and the following marques: Austin; Austin-Healey; Innocenti; Metropolitan; MG; Morris; Riley; Vanden Plas; Wolseley; British Motor Holdings (BMH) and British Leyland, plus subsidiaries and overseas connections.

In 1968, British Leyland brought together most of Britain's motor manufacturers, with the intention of creating a robust unified group that could equal the strength of the big European conglomerates. But this was not to be.

There have been many books about the politics and the business activities of British Leyland, but "British Leyland - The Cars, 1968 - 1986" looks deliberately at the cars that came from the company, both the models it inherited and it created.

The eighteen years of the corporation's existence saw a confusing multitude of different car types, but this book resolves these confusions, clarifying who built what, and when.
The book takes 1986 as its cut-off point because this was the year that the old British Leyland ceased to exist and what was left of the car and light commercial business was renamed the Rover Group.

The Bantam American story from Austin to Bantam, from Sir Herbert Austin to Roy S. Evans. Two polar opposites who were the principals in creating and selling Americas first small car and the car company who created the Jeep.
A quick reference guide and perfect primer.

Lavishly illustrated with unique images from the official company archive, this book charts more than 100 years of car-making at the Longbridge factory, near Birmingham. Herbert Austin founded the Austin Motor Company here in April 1905 and it was subsequently home to the British Motor Corporation, British Leyland, Rover Group and, latterly, MG Rover. Its products include some of the most famous British models ever produced, such as the pioneering Austin Seven, the innovative trend-setting Mini, the popular Austin Metro and, in later years, the best-selling MG TF and elegant Rover 75.

The factory was a major employer and an integral part of the local community from its beginnings until the sad events of April 2005, when MG Rover went into administration. This radically changed the landscape, spearheading the long-term regeneration of the area. The community is looking to the future with confidence, never forgetting its long and proud tradition of manufacturing.

This fully updated version honours the 110th anniversary of the first motor production at Longbridge as well as the 150th birthday of Herbert Austin. It includes a new colour section showing various stages in the life of a car, from the design studio to the showroom.