My current runabout is a 1927 Austin Heavy 12/4 ‘Windsor’ – a genuine barn find.
It was taken to a scrapyard in 1963 (due to tyres not being available) and sold for 30 bob (1 pound ten shillings). In the same year, – a farmer was looking for a cheap runner, he called into the scrapyard and bought the car for 50 bob (two pounds and 10 shillings).
The farmer drove it directly to his barn, where he left it untouched for 53 years. It was found and rescued from his barn in 2016.
Over the last 7 years – 3 of us – ‘custodians’ each added a bit more to retain its character and to repair and service it to run perfectly.
The original paintwork & wings are ‘patinated’ – but all the metal is as solid as a rock. It starts on the button, stops very well (for 2 ton). The interior is almost original and very good, all the leather seats and the door cards are ok.
The saloon has its original Klaxon. It has a rear folding luggage rack, 5 new tyres & tubes plus a new full silencer system.
Strangely the original hidden tools in the bulkhead are still intact. A full set of new brake shoes were fitted recently. A new hand-built (by professionals) replacement distributor was fitted – the bob-weights working on the low rev’s for the A&R with contactless electronic ignition and a high spec’ coil (the important thing is you can’t tell, but that’s why it starts on the button!!)
The “oily-rag” condition is a very popular talking point and well appreciated at VAR and Classic Car meets. I use the car daily. She runs sweetly mechanically and is very reliable.
Although not at all fast, it’s safe and keeps up with town traffic. Last year, a 400 mile trip to a VAR meeting – fully laden with heavy invalid car, luggage and three passengers posed no problem.. plus she always gets waves from onlookers!
Submitted by: Mike Kelly
