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1946 Austin Eight Six-Light Saloon

The Austin Eight

Engine: Four cylinder, water-cooled, with detachable head, side-valves and three- bearing crankshaft - 900cc capacity. Fuel System: Rear petrol tank of 6 gallons capacity; A.C pump delivers fuel to the Zenith carburettor, assured of over 40 miles per gallon Transmission: Four speeds forward and one reverse, syncro on 2nd, 3rd and top Road Wheels: Pressed steel easy-to-clean 17 inch wheels with tubed medium pressure 4.50 x 17 tyres, needing only 25 psi. Manufacturer: The Austin Motor Co. Ltd., Longbridge, Birmingham, England - mostly assembled in UK, but some in Australia after World War II. Production: 1939 - 1948, with 103,585 units made, including 2-door saloon, 4- door saloon, 2-door 2-seat tourer, 2-door 4-seat tourer and 2-door van. Approximately 9,500 of the wartime production units were 8AP tourers produced for the armed services and government use. About 47,600 were made before war closed production in 1943. In 1945, production began again, though no more 2-door saloons or tourers were made in UK. Post-war assembly of tourers and some saloons was undertaken in Australia. Here, the Australian coach- builders imported the rolling chassis with front mud-guards, bonnet and grill surrounds, then built and fitted bodies. Australia had imposed a tax on imported complete cars, in order to establish an Australian motor industry. Better known Australian coach-builders of Austin Eight cars are: Ruskin, Larke Hoskins, General Motors-Holden Ltd and TJ Richards & Sons. Present custodian: Frank Carroll, Coolum Beach

1946 Austin Eight Six-Light Saloon

The Austin Eight

Engine: Four cylinder, water-cooled, with detachable head, side-valves and three-bearing crankshaft - 900cc capacity. Fuel System: Rear petrol tank of 6 gallons capacity; A.C pump delivers fuel to the Zenith carburettor, assured of over 40 miles per gallon Transmission: Four speeds forward and one reverse, syncro on 2nd, 3rd and top Road Wheels: Pressed steel easy-to-clean 17 inch wheels with tubed medium pressure 4.50 x 17 tyres, needing only 25 psi. Manufacturer: The Austin Motor Co. Ltd., Longbridge, Birmingham, England - mostly assembled in UK, but some in Australia after World War II. Production: 1939 - 1948, with 103,585 units made, including 2-door saloon, 4-door saloon, 2-door 2-seat tourer, 2-door 4-seat tourer and 2- door van. Approximately 9,500 of the wartime production units were 8AP tourers produced for the armed services and government use. About 47,600 were made before war closed production in 1943. In 1945, production began again, though no more 2-door saloons or tourers were made in UK. Post-war assembly of tourers and some saloons was undertaken in Australia. Here, the Australian coach- builders imported the rolling chassis with front mud-guards, bonnet and grill surrounds, then built and fitted bodies. Australia had imposed a tax on imported complete cars, in order to establish an Australian motor industry. Better known Australian coach-builders of Austin Eight cars are: Ruskin, Larke Hoskins, General Motors-Holden Ltd and TJ Richards & Sons. Present custodian: Frank Carroll, Coolum Beach