Beschreibung
I am thinning down my collection a little and this presents an opportunity to acquire this delightful low mileage, top of the range, vintage Austin Twenty drophead coupe with superb provenance from new. Dropheads on this 10ft 10inch wheel-base chassis are very rare indeed and this is quite the most comfortable, versatile and convenient to use I have ever encountered. I have had three Austin Twenties over the past thirty years, and this is, by some way, the best performer due to the low body weight/ centre of gravity and is a hit with driving companions. Its weather equipment protects occupants very agreeably in wet conditions which can be an important consideration when participating in longer distance events. Indeed, so long as one is moving briskly, it has to be quite wet before raising the hood. Thereafter it is warm and very roomy which cannot always be said of many vintage cars with bodywork built to more restricted dimensions. There is extensive stowage space behind the front seats as the flat floor extends, without obstruction, right to the rear. The seat backs swing forward as well as there being ample space just to reach over them when upright. This avoids getting out to retrieve items. On my watch its being used without the dicky cushion but it is, of course, with the car should a future custodian wish to carry rear passengers. This car was owned in the 40s/ 50's by a leading vintage Austin Twenty and Rolls-Royce Phantom enthusiast and still bears the treasured 1922 registration from his mother's Ranelagh coupe, the Twenty that first inspired his life long devotion to this quality model, but which he was sadly just too late to save from scappage. He wrote extensively of his recollections of these fine motor cars, mentioning this very car, in the early issues of the Vintage Austin Register magazine. He was the author of books on the early Rolls-Royce and the Titanic/ White Star Line, being related to the Ismay family.
This car has a comfortable and roomy cabin with a very quick and easy to use hood by one person. A long legged vintage car, capable of covering distance surprisingly quickly as it proceeds relentlessly at an easy 45-50mph with its extra air valve open (third hand lever on wheel, the two others, common to the era, being hand throttle and ignition advance/ retard). Any trial or inspection. It remains in regular use and mileage will therefore increase
