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Austin Motor Company

The Austin Motor Company was one of Great Britain’s most popular car producers for much of the 20th century and still has a number of dedicated owners and reproducers. Founded in 1905, the company produced their first car with a five litre, four cylinder engine for the British market. About 200 of these models were made in total during its production. When World War One broke out, the Austin manufacturing facilities were greatly expanded by the government to make everything from aircraft components to artillery.

After the war Herbert Austin decided on a one model policy based around the 3620 cc 20 hp engine and versions included cars, commercials and even a tractor to try and save on costs created by having to fill the large extensions to the company made during WW1 which were no longer funded by HM Government. However sales volumes just were not’ enough to fill the workforce and the company went into receivership in 1921. Despite this financial set back, the company was to be revived by heavy investment.

Critical to the recovery was the appointment in 1922 of a new finance director, Ernest Payton with the backing of the Midland Bank, and a new works director in charge of car production in the factory, Carl Engelbach. During the inter-war years, smaller cars became more fashionable and practical for use by the average civilian at the time. To expand the market smaller cars were introduced with the 1661 cc Twelve in 1922 and later on in that year Austin 7which has been acclaimed as a true leader of the time when it came to targeting the mass-market. At one point it was built under licence by the fledgling BMW of Germany (as the Dixi); Datsun; as Bantam in the US; and as the Rosengart in France. These many production models serve as a shrine to Austin’s excellent engineering and marketing skills.

During the Second World War Austin continued building cars but also continued in its history of war production by making trucks and aircraft, including the construction of the Lancaster bombers of 617 squadron, better known as the Dambusters for their famous and invaluable operations during the war. After the war, with thousands of soldiers returning home ready to start families or being a life in a career, Austin began work on a range of cars for post-war Britain. The post war car range was announced in 1944 and production of it started in 1945. This range has been said to be similar to the cars preceding the war, however they did have a 16hp improvement and overhead valves.

In 1952 Austin merged with the Nuffield Organisation (parent company of Morris) to form the British Motor Corperation with Leonard Lord in charge. The Austin company was mainly in charge because of it well-known success, with its engines being used by all the companies who joined the new group.
Also in 1952, Austin did a deal with Donald Healey, the renowned automotive engineer. It led to a new marque, Austin Healy, and a range of sports cars.
Throughout the 70s the company went through some financial and marketing troubles and in the 82s merged with rover to create one of the most well known cars this side of the Atlantic. The Metro. This new car provided competition for French and American imports which were becoming more of a trend as time went on. It was an instant success with thousands being sold over the first few months of production.

The company was sold to BMW and again to Rover MG. The brand is not operating at the moment however there is talk of a possible revival.