Vintage Thing No.86 - Austin 20 sports

"Excuse me, gentleman of the MCC, but we're looking for Blue Hills 2. Can you direct us?" "Certainly, my good fellow, just drive straight into the sun and you can't miss it."

Entered in the 2011 Land's End Trial was this marvellous 1927 Austin 20, which I saw climb Blue Hills 2. Austin 20s are typically lumbering great beasts that were available either as saloons weighing as much as 1¾ tons or bare chassis to be clothed down by similarly heavy bespoke bodywork.

This one belonging to Tim and Jack Kemp of Landridnod Wells has the rakish looks of a more exalted sporting machinery. I really like the hot rod or sports car look of this machine and the old style wheels suit it perfectly. Surely this would be eligible for VSCC events?

This is the old variety with a 3620cc 95 x 127mm side valve four instead of the later sixes, a perfect powerplant with grunt aplenty for the west country hills. Herbert Austin was inspired by Hudson designs and incorporated some of their features into the 20, originally intending to adopt a one model policy with this car, just like Henry Ford. 

The years slip away on Blue Hills 2. I want one.

I feel inspired to find some decrepit old saloon and make a similarly intrepid old war horse. But could I get on with the steering/brakes/transmission? It must be hugely satisfying to pilot one of these and the crowd loved it.

It didn’t win an award this time but I bet it gave its crew a lot of pleasure.