1920 Austin 20

nigelward.atgp...
A 1920 Austin 20 Open Tourer, Registration No. Y 8056, the coachwork, rather than having been built by specialist coach-works, rather unusually was built by Austin and is finished in blue and black, The engine is a four cylinder side-valve of some 3,610 cc and is mated to a very substantial gate-change four-speed gearbox. Chassis No. PT 2019, Engine No. P 3089. She was acquired by the family on the 13/08/1992, the previous owner having acquired her on the 26/07/1989. She was manufactured with a Touring Car body in 1920 and was exported to New Zealand at that time via the Shaw Savill Line vessel the S.S. Mamari. In the mid 1960's, after being rested in a shed for some time, extensive restoration work was carried out continuing until 1988, prior to her return to the U.K. Subsequent to her arrival on our shores further works were carried out including a change of colour from yellow to blue. Some time ago, during a routine internal inspection of the top end, entailing the removal of the cylinder head, the family were astonished to discover that the pistons still bear the original serial numbers relating to the vehicle, indicating that they are almost certainly the original pistons and bores.
The Information Folder includes a V5C Registration Document, correspondence concerning the formerly allocated registration number FX 1581, this was substituted by Y 8056 in February 2006. Various invoices are present, as is The Austin Twenty Owner's Handbook.
She has proven reliable on numerous local runs as well as on several lengthy continental trips including to Northern France, Holland and Belgium. Here is an example of the over-engineering that almost led to the collapse of Herbert Austin's business, interestingly each cylinder being of 155 cc greater volume than the 747 cc total cubic capacity of the diminutive jewel of a motor car that saved his business, the Austin 7. A pair of new 12 volt batteries are fitted.