1929 AUSTIN 12 ROADSTER

Gary Leckie

GARY’S 1929 model Roadster ably demonstrates the diversity available to 1920s Austin buyers. Where the Seven is narrow and obviously built with economy in mind, the 12 has room to spare in its main passenger area plus a fold-out ‘Dickie’ seat for an extra adult or couple of smaller children.

Like most cars of its era, the Austin was imported as a chassis then had bodywork locally supplied. In the case of this and a sister car which also survives, the body is by Damyan Brothers of St Kilda in Victoria.

The 12 was one of nine cars trucked from Victoria by the Vintage Austin Register. According to Gary, all of the owners were intending to be drive their cars back to Melbourne.

“My car is happiest at 60-65km/h and the others aren’t much faster so it’s going to take us five days,” he revealed. “Then again, with cable operated brakes - or ‘retarders’ as I call them - that speed is plenty.”