Description
Very Rare surviving 1936 Austin '10/ 4 Colwyn' Cabriolet
Original Bristol reg number & original number plates CHT 279
Registered Feb 1936 Chassis number 82329
'Facelift' Model introduced in 1934/ 5 with improvements
(see model details below)
92, 200 miles recorded which is probably genuine
Previous long term owner and Austin enthusiast
Extensively & sympathetically restored:-
Fully rebuilt engine, chassis, fuel system brakes etc in 2016 at cost £4000
Original black leather seats which are in VGC
Recent new black duck hood and blue tailored carpets
All original fittings incl 'pram irons' for hood
Fully rewired & upgraded with original dashboard
Drives very well considering her age, esp brakes and steering
Attracts attention wherever she goes
Runs fine on E5 Unleaded with occasional additive
New 12v battery and ignition
Original spare wheel, jack, wheelbrace & tools
Service manual, Austin Ten Drivers’ Club literature
Obviously Historic tax & MOT exempt
Large history file with receipts for parts supplied & work carried out by
Alderton Austin Services Ltd, Woolies and Auto Engineering of Chard Junction etc
Very rare, interesting & practical vintage car
Photos do not do her justice due to weather
Some Model details & Dimensions below
Bridging the gap between the Longbridge based manufacturer's renowned 7hp and 12hp models, the Austin 10hp was launched in 1932. Topping the sales charts throughout the 1930s, the newcomer was based around a sturdy ladder frame chassis equipped with all-round semi-elliptic leaf-sprung suspension and cable-operated four-wheel drum brakes. Powered by an 1125cc side-valve four-cylinder engine allied to four-speed manual transmission, it was reputedly capable of 55mph and 35mpg. Available with a range of open and closed pressed-steel body styles (all of which located occupants between the axles) the model was subject to continual development. Combining full-framed doors with a three-position convertible roof, the Colwyn Cabriolet was a ‘year round’ proposition. More expensive than its siblings, the four-seater soft-top was updated alongside them gaining a painted radiator surround and synchromesh on 2nd, 3rd and 4th gears in late 1934.
Facelift for 1935
The first styling change came in August 1934 with a change to the radiator when the plated surround or cowl was replaced by one painted in body colour and it was given a slight slope. Synchromesh was added to second gear and dual screenwipers, flush-fitting self-cancelling trafficators (worked by the steering) and a foot-operated headlamp dip switch were fitted. The engine controls were simplified by the adoption of automatic ignition, compensated voltage control, and the provision of a "choke" (combined strangler and throttle control). The saloon was given the name Lichfield and got a protruding boot which enclosed the spare wheel.[5] During 1935 the friction dampers were replaced with hydraulic dampers.[6]
