Pre war Austin 18

[crankedup]

As an addicted serial buyer and seller I am considering the Austin 18 York (1935). It’s the green one currently on carand classic website for auction at around £7000 £7700.

All of my previous chariots have been vintage (exclude modern classics) and have been fun to own and drive in the main. This Austin I am considering using to tow my vintage caravan (1924) with, that weighs around 950 kg max fully loaded.

I know a few guys in here are Austineers but looking for general comments about spares
the drive and ownership experience. It seems the Austin 18 is far more advanced in terms of refinement than my dear old 1927 12/4.

[cjb44]

crankedup said:

As an addicted serial buyer and seller I am considering the Austin 18 York (1935). It’s the green one currently on carand classic website for auction at around £7000 £7700.

All of my previous chariots have been vintage (exclude modern classics) and have been fun to own and drive in the main. This Austin I am considering using to tow my vintage caravan (1924) with, that weighs around 950 kg max fully loaded.

I know a few guys in here are Austineers but looking for general comments about spares
the drive and ownership experience. It seems the Austin 18 is far more advanced in terms of refinement than my dear old 1927 12/4.

I am not an expert on these, although a very pleasant looking car, but I would imagine that it would struggle to tow your caravan at any reasonable speed.Am I right that it is a five cylinder engine, if so that would have been way ahead of it's time, or do I need to go to Specsavers.
I believe in the past you have been disappointed with various other classics when towing your caravan, take a step back maybe and give it some thought.

[crankedup]

Thanks for response cjb, I was just on. edge of giving up tbh.
Yes I used to tow a fairly heavy vintage caravan with vintage car, it became a struggle. Now I have a new lightweight vintage caravan, so the car I am considering has a sporting chance.
It’s a six cylinder side valve engine of 2500cc, punches out an impressive 48bhp
I have until late April for the auction so plenty of time to weigh it all up.
Thanks again.

[MikeyC]

As regards towing a caravan, a neighbour has a post-war Citroen Traction Avant and uses it to tow a period style small caravan.
I very much doubt that it has more grunt than your lusty 48 bhp (!) so it'll probably be fine !

[crankedup]

I always keep an eye on my rear view mirrors, on one trip out a few years back I noticed a lotus club out for a run behind my outfit. Pulled in to a lay-by and to a man all thumbs up as they drove past.Nice sight for me all those lovely Lotus.