Austin - Austin 12 and 12/4
The Austin 12 was first produced in 1921, with a 4 cylinder 1661 cc side valve, built alongside the larger 20hp model, allowing Austin to have a range of cars to suit most market segments. By 1927 the Austin 12 was given a longer stroke which increased the capacity to 1861 cc, the bore size remaining the same so that it could still remain in the 12hp tax bracket. This larger larger capacity Austin 12 stayed in production until 1931, to be transformed into the "Heavy 12" which stayed in production until 1935. For 1930 another 12hp Austin model, this time a 6 cylinder 1496cc became Austins new "Light 12", also referred to as the Austin Light Six, as well as the Austin 12/6 , which was built until 1936. And finally to confuse matters a little more, there was also the Austin 12 which had a 1535cc four cylinder engine that was placed in the Light six chassis between 1932 and 1947. . . .
Austin 12 tyre fitment sizes for the various models were:
- The Austin 12hp (1861 cc) built between 1927 and 1931 were fitted with 30x4.75 which is 4.75x20, and Blockley makes the best quality 475/500x20 tyre available, with correct period tread pattern as the cars would have left the factory with.
- The Austin 12 six cylinder "Light 12" 1496cc (built 1930 to 1936) were fitted with 4.75x19 tyre size, and Blockley makes this tyre size. Please note that the Blockley 4.75x19 tyre (dual marked 475/500x19) is the only 4.75x19 tyre available anywhere, any other tyre having 475/500x19 written on the sidewall actually being a 500x19 tyre size. Blockley also makes a 500x19 tyre if required.
- Austin 12/4 1535 cc (produced 1932 to 1936) was originally fitted with 4.75x19 tyres, which Blockley produces. After this the next version of Austin 12 using this engine was built from 1938 to 1939, and reworked postwar to 1946.
- Austin 12hp "Heavy 12" 1861 cc (built 1932 to 1935) was fitted originally with 5.00x20. Blockley produce the perfect 500x20 tyres with correct period pattern and better quality than anything available. We have also supplied 21" tyres for some Austins, so if your car has 21" wheels for any reason, we can help with this size also.
- Austin 12 from 1938 onwards had a 5.75x16 for which we have a suitable tyre with generous dimensions marked 550x16 .
- We have also been asked on numerous occasions for a 450x21 tyre, and Blockley produces the best 440/450x21 tyre.
Full details of all the tyres suitable for the Austin 12/4 are shown below:
