Lot No: 329
1927 Austin 12/4 Open Dickie Seat Tourer
Chassis no. 4TS4973
Introduced in 1921, the Twelve, together with the Seven, saved the Austin company from bankruptcy. The Twelve was a conventional car, soundly engineered in the best Austin tradition, powered by a 1,660cc (later 1,861cc) four-cylinder sidevalve engine driving via a four-speed gearbox. Such was the Twelve's reputation for durability that it was used for a number of commercial variants and became the London cab-drivers' favourite, enjoying an extended lease of life in this role that lasted well into the 1930s and beyond. After the introduction of the six-cylinder Light Twelve, the model became known as the Heavy Twelve Four up to 1935, by which time there was also a 1,525cc Light 12/4 in the range. Updated for 1935, the Light 12/4 continued in this form until replaced by an entirely new 'all-steel' model for 1937.
This very original English bodied Austin 12/4 was sold new in country New South Wales, remaining with th