Austin 12/4 1932 (52) - HEAVY 4-Door

2 Previous Owners, A wonderful example . only two owners in the last 48 years just recommissioned following a period in storage a fine old Austin , in very nice order . In the Heavy 12 version for which the factory claimed 27bhp at just 2,000rpm. This particular Heavy 12 4 has the handsome and spacious Burnham six light saloon coachwork with traditional chrome radiator surround. First registered in Hull in March 1932, it was first owned by a Mr W Dibbs of Beverley, the buff logbook showing that it remained in the East Riding until 1968 when it moved to Cornwall with a Mr J Stephens of Helston.He kept it until 1977 when it was acquired by a Mr D Doyle of Falmouth and it was to remain in his family for the next 33 years. Mr Doyle was President of The Cornwall Vintage Vehicle Society and the Austin was his pride and joy, attending many shows. There is some touching correspondence between him and the daughter of Mr Dibbs, the cars first owner. She sent him some photos of how it looked back in the 1930s which are still in the file today . During Mr Doyles ownership, the Austin was kept in tip top running order, with no fewer than 28 old MOTs from 1976 2009 all accompanied by the MOT tester s check list, plus numerous old tax discs. These show that the car covered 35,000 miles over this 33-year period . proof of just how durable these 12 4 Austins are. the prior keeper acquired the car from the Doyle family in 2010 and fitted a new set of tyres and a new set of blue Bedford cord seat covers over the original leather upholstery. The car was then put into storage where it remained for the next dozen years.Over the turn of 2023/2024 it was put in the care of Vintage car specialist Gerwyn Lloyd of Herefordshire who treated it to a thorough recommissioning, as detailed in invoices on file.This included: new water pump; recored radiator; electric fuel pump Autovac still in place electric petrol gauge dynamo and regulator new wiring taxi coil conversion new timing chain refurbished Hobson tele gauge new battery thorough service plus much else besides. Fitted with a stainless steel exhaust, it also comes with the original wind deflectors, rear passenger foot rests and picnic tables which are all wrapped up in the back of the car. As you can see in the photos, this Austin Heavy 12 is in fine shape especially for a 93 year old and has been starting easily and running sweetly as we have moved it around on site, with healthy 30psi oil pressure, This sturdy and spacious Burnham is everything an old car should be and we have no doubt that it will continue to provide faithful family transport for many decades to come. Properly maintained, there is no reason why it can't soldier on indefinitely although what the AI robots of tomorrow will make of it is anyone's guess...