BRITISH CARS.—THE POPULARITY OF THE AUSTIN.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20084, 13 November 1930, Page 30

BRITISH CARS.—THE POPULARITY OF THE AUSTIN.

[PUBLISHED BT Aeeangfitent. ]

AUSTIN COMPANY.

PROGRAMME AND POLICY.

PLANS FOR LARGER OUTPUT. At a time of industrial depression, tlie pre-Olympia announcement of the Austin Motor Company comes as a refreshing wave of optimism calculated to ltave' a definitely cooling influence upon the incipient fever of national anxiety. Sir Herbert Austin, K.8.E., the man ■who has figured so prominently in British industry for the last t&rty years, ■ees no reason whatever for the panicky statements which have received such 'wide publicity during the last few months. He states that the affairs of Ms company have never been in a more healthy condition. Neither he nor his eo-directors can agree with the statement that British motor manufacturers must slaughter prices in order to hold their own in world competition.

Merit of Products. > The continued prosperity of the motor industry and the maintenance a£ stabilisation in its affairs are far more important matters than the netting of a few .extra orders during a show period,

sane policy of this old-established British concern is recognised and approved by discriminating buyers. The Austin Motor Company does not aim to supply cheap cars. Its ideals have been and are definitely opposed to any such course. The company is convinced that the world's primary need is for cars that are sound' in every detail of design and workmanship and it depends upon strictly scientific methods of production to supply cars at the lowest possible price. In short, the policy of this is to offer the public the greatest possible automotive value for money.

S*riees Kednced. Seeing that it is customary for manufacturers to make announcements at this season of the year, the Austin Company as also making a statement of its programme, rid offers a range of models faithfully constructed, beautifully designed, reasonably priced, and teach car capable of operation at maximum economy in its class.

Prices have been reduced in regard to certain modelß, but this in view of the fact that increased demand ' has enabled production economies, the benefit of which" is thus passed on to the buying public. ■- In view of the urgency of our unemployment problem it is good to know that the Longbridge factory is planning for a larger output in 1931, which means that one part of the Midlands at any rate will not be contributing a quota to swell the number of people on the dole.

The Austin Twenty "Banlagh" I&aotulne. 1 The ehassi* specification of this aristocratic favourite remains standard except that the petrol tank is now situate at the rear, and an air cleauer has been fitted. . The coachwork has been greatly improved, a noticeable feature being the shortening of the scuttle to give increased* bonnet length. This lends considerable elegance. Added grace is imparted by tho roof, lines, the sloping windscreen and the waistline moulding which now extends along the scuttle and bonnet. A sun visor is a standard fitting. The radiator cowl is higher and narrower. The interior of the car is elaborately fitted and the comfort of the rear seat is enhanced by the addition of a hinged centre arm rest. _ This model has a six-cylinder engine c of 3400 c.c., an B.A.C. rating of 23.5 h.p. (tax £24 p.a.), and develops 49 b.h.p. at 2000 r.p.m. Engine smoothness is ensured by the eight large main bearings and an effective damper. Wheelbase lift 4in. Also on view at Olympia will be a new saloon on the Twenty Chassis possessing all. the features above outlined, but with a 10ft lOin wheelbase. This is a handsome and speedy job- likely to arouse considerable public interest. ' Twenty models also continued are the "Marlborough" . landaulette, the "Open-Road" tourer, and the "Cranfleld" fabric saloon. The Austin Sixteen "Beaconsfleld Fabric" Saloon (4-window). The chassis details of the sixteen remain as before except for the addition of an air-cleaner.' A lower and more graceful roof line has been achieved without any-sacrifice of head room. The coachwork shows a marked advancement upon previous practice, which shonM serve to give this popular model a much Btronger appeal to those motorists who. are keenly discriminating about appearance. The* windscreen is sloping and a sun visor is now standard. The interior finish and appointments are most elaborate. A folding centre arm rest is fitted to the rear seat, whilst a

and a few months thereafter. Sir Herbert maintains that the British manufacturer must hold his own on the sheer merit of his products. He canmot afford to sacrifice proverbial British quality in order to rush npon an artificially scared market with jobs that have little to' recommend them, but low selling prices. The sales of Austin products for the ' months June, July, and August, 1930, show an increase of 29.7 per cent, over , the same period in 1929. This speaks tat itself and goes to prove that the

folding .table and foot rest are neatly fitted to the back of the front seat. Tne six-cylinder engine has a capacity of 2249 c.c., an R.A.C. rating of 15.9 h.p. (tax £l6 p.a.), and develops 36 b.h.p. at 2400 r.p.m. A vibration damp er is fitted at the front end of a crankshaft which also possesses eight large main bearings. Wheelbase- 9ft 4in, turning circle 42ft. The above improvements have also been incorporated in the, "Salisbury" fabric saloon, which is a six-window model.

DAVID CROZIER, LTD.

THE PRINCIPALS.

Mr David Crozier, principal of the firm of David Orozier, ltd., is one of the founders of the motor industry in the Dominion. For many years the firm traded as Dexter and Crozier, but about fourteen years ago Mr Crozier became sole proprietor and has since built up the business on sound lines until to-day it is one of the beer known in New Zealand. The firm is the largest distributor of British cars in the province. Mr Crozier, who is a past-presi-dent of the Dominion and also the Canterbury branch of the Motor Traders' Association, has done much to place the industry in the excellent position it occupies to-day. Mr D. Clive Crozier, son of the principal, who occupies the position of sales manager to the firm, is the president of the Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Motor Traders' Association, and is well known throughout the Dominion for his keen interest in motor trials and motor sporting events.

AN ENTERPRISING CANTERBURY FIRM.

The Austin Sixteen "Burnham" This model has been familiar to i pub ic for some years but the carriage 1 work- has been again very considerably improved. The pleasing roo£ H rounded rear panel, sloping wind! screen, and improved finish g ive "Burnham" an added distinction As in the case of the fabric models "already mentioned, the interior finish and an pointments are now definitely luvnH ous. The "Burnham" i 8 an arm rest to the rear seat, folding table, foot rest, roof net, etc The upholstery is of best quality hide The "Iver" saloon, which is being continued, is a replica of the "Burnham" except for tho addition of a central glass adjustable screen, which makes the car particularly suitable for use as an owner or chauffeur driven vehicle Austin Sixteen models also being continued are the "Open Road" Tourer, and the "Harrow" Two-seater. 12 h.p. Models. (Not Exhibited.) The well-known twelve chassis requires no description. The "Burnham" and "Ivor' Saloons are similar in general improvements to those already described in connexion with the Austin Sixteen. A fabric four-window job will be known as the "Mariow." A fabric sixwindow is designated the "Wycombe." Although the carriagework on the Twelve chassis has been improved externally in thfe same manner as that pertaining to Sixteen models, tho interior fittings are not the same. Items such as arm rests, folding tables, foot rests, and roof nets do not form part of tho equipment. Other Twelve models being continued are the "Open-Road" Tourer, the "Eton" Two-Seater, and the "Watford" Fabric

Saloon. This .latter model is the one introduced during the' past year for the man of moderate means. The "'Watford" is only supplied with wool-rep upholstery. Sliding Sunshine Roofs—All Saloon models of the Twenty, Sixteen, and Twelve can he supplied with sliding sunshine roofs at an extra charge of £lO. Chromium Plating—All external

metal parts of all models described are chromium plated. Silentfcloc . Shackles Silent bio e shackles which have proved so popular with owner-drivers are continued on all models. These shackles eliminate many greasing points in addition to effecting great improvement to riding comfort. Interleaved Springing—The success which has attended the use of zinc interleaved springing warrants the continuance of this practice.

The Austin Seven. A More Beautiful Baby Than Ever. The Austin Seven chassis design has proved so, satisfactory in service in every part of the world that no alteration has been made thereto other than an improvement to the brakes. The four-wheel brakes were previously operated in pairs, but in the case of the new Seven both the hand lever and the foot pedal operate brakes upon all four wheels. The new Seven, however, is a much more beautiful car than dny of its predecessors. The radiator has been made much higher and the shell The bonnet is higher, and increased length has been achieved by shortening the scuttle. This latter alteration may have been influenced by the fact that the Twelve, Sixteen, and Twenty gained much in attractiveness from similar treatment. The slight cant of the new windscreen is a decided improvement. The clean, unbroken line of the car emphasised by a belt moulding running from radiator to rear panel not only lends grace to the car's appearance, but gives a pleasing impression of length. The moulding is painted to harmonise with any given colour scheme. There is quite a range of colours and colour schemes from which choice may be made. The new Seven will really seat four persons comfortably, the leg room is generous, and the upholstery is pneumatic. The car has a carrying capacity of thirty-six stones. The .w,ide doors are a feature that many will appreciate, because there are few things more unpleasant than the contortion necessary to gain entry to a car that has been stinted in this respect. A dashboard dial oil gauge supersedes the bufton indicator. The windscreen has an ingenious locking device. The capacity of the petrol tank has heen increased to five gallons, which includes an emergency supply controlled by a two-level tap. The changespeed lever is longer and very convenient to the driver's hand.

Austin Seven Coachtrailt Saloon. This exhibit is of standard chassis specification, including new brake gear, larger petrol tank with two-level tap, and stiffer crankshaft. It incorporates all those improvements and refinements referred to in the descriptive matter above. The upholstery is carried out in first quality wool rep of bright appearance. This gives lasting wear and can easily be cleaned. Both front seats tip and are adjustable. The wide door windows are of one piece and can be mechanically raised and lowered. The rear window blind is controlled from the driver's seat. The doors are fitted With pockets. The Seven "Fabric" Saloon differs only from the coachbuilt in that the carriagework is of fabric construction.

■ The Austin Seven Tourer. When it was first rumoured that the Austin Seven was to undergo certain alterations, fears were widely expressed that the "Baby." which had proved itself "the little friend of ail the world," would-be-spoiled by inter ference with basic Experts were unanimous in the opinion that It would be a fatal mistake for Sir Herbert Austin to forsake that diminutive bat efficient design which had popn-

Urisod hla product and brenWkt';}! ing within the reaeh ot'tbowM^ could not otherwise have avafleSi selves of it, *;,* The world breathed a sigVof'i when it was found that the fam wents were chiety eoaeerxed'/ beauty and comfort. The touring model which tarn* of the Olympia- exhibit has the 1i bonnet with short scuttle, alao-' higher and narrower radiator ooii As in the case of the saloon tw the petrol tank is now of capacity, fitted with a two-level! A. dial oil pressure gauge is part ■« dashboard equipment. A longer; is provided for gear-changing.- J improved brake gear is, also atgd. The smart little Seven two-seafe is being continued, and is smarter' over in view of.the improvement corporated. j;

Chromium Plating—All parts of all Austin Seven inMflH chromium plated. - yIHH Sunshine Roofs—Sliding . ;mHH roofs are available for/ anlooo-luHj at an extra charge of.. £5. '/ JHH Ohassli. Austin Sixteen and Austtn^HjjjjjH . The Austin Company ar»~~<jim§|H chassis of the 16 h.p. and. models, in order to give the. another opportunity of workmanship. The thoroughly British' jobs in the world is attributable ox design and to' [eaiefnl brought to bear upon prodoetiwHH stage? of manufacture is' carefulness that ensures .the -JgaßH to assembly of nothing but Only by auch means ity be built into motor Accessibility of matter of considerable' it will be noted' tion has been given oat of both the The improved gear i»