The Austin 8 is a small car that was produced by Austin between 1939 and 1948.
Sometimes finds are simply unlikely. In Drempt we found an Austin 8 that is certainly not spotless, but it is stunningly beautiful. Moreover, the Austin has a fantastic, almost entirely documented history.
The Austin 8 so
Presented on 24 on February 1939, the production of the Austin 8 continued until the war, until 1943. About 9000 - 9.500 of the Austin wartime models were two-seat military 8AP tours produced for the armed forces and the government. After the Second World War the model was made with minimal adjustments from 1945 to 1948.
The new car, which was shown to dealers in February 1939, held the 900 cc, four-cylinder side valve engine of the Big 7, but now with a higher compression ratio of 6,5: 1. But had a completely new chassis. This was a kind of half-washed body, in the sense that the main element was a pressed steel floor pan with a box section welded on each side of the car with three others over the floor. The body was then screwed to this structure. The suspension was by means of semi-elliptical leaf springs with hydraulic dampers.
After the war, the Austin 8 was manufactured in a slightly different way than the pre-war 8s. The main differences were: the steering wheel with chrome spokes, chromed headlights (instead of painted), a horizontal air filter instead of a standing air filter, rosettes on the bumpers, a whole rear bumper instead of a quarter, a fairly unique movable license plate holder on the boot lid . After the war only two models were available.
From an old lady
The copy that we found at Venema Classic Cars, and which was not even online during our visit, is a 1947'er and absolutely unique. It is heeeel has long been the car of a nurse, mrs. TB Offringa. At the end of her business trip, she awarded the car to the National Car Museum, the later Autotron. The correspondence about that is heart warming and preserved. Through a number of wanderings, the almost completely documented Austin is completely in authentic condition and with an overwhelming patina adopted by Albert Venema. Out of pure love.
And whether the car is driving? Of course he does. In fact, the only things that can be changed without heavy corporal punishment on the Austin are the window rubbers. They are really beyond the possibility of being saved. Well: a set of fresh tires should also be included. Furthermore, the Austin 8 only becomes less beautiful if it were made more beautiful.
Can be used as a shopping car?
Such a now very elderly, rarely beautiful survivor must of course be cherished. And with its 27 hp side valve, the Austin is not the car to take all Alpine passes. But where is the biggest pain for us modern Dutch? Cars designed for the Second World War, made for not too heavy people of approximately 1,75 m maximum.
As a full sized current Dutchman you don't sit in the Austin 8, but you attract it. But once it is the best luxury interior, you feel as secure as a happy turtle in its shell.
I keep finding it strange, you donate something to a museum, probably with the restriction that it may not be sold! and then he is casually sold and ends up in the trade! with the risk that some malotec (in the worst case) will use it as a banger car or will break down for the parts