Austin 10

Austin Ten
4-door saloon first registered 17 June 1932
Overview
Manufacturer	Austin
Also called	Austin Ten-Four
Production	1932–1947 290,000 made
Body and chassis
Body style	saloons: 4-door 1932–1935 Lichfield 1934–1937 Sherbourne 1936–1937 Cambridge 1937–1947 tourers: 2-seat 1933–1939 4-seat 1933–1939 sports: Ripley 1934–1936 cabriolet: Colwyn 1933–1937 Conway 1937–1939 van 1933–1947 2-door pick-up
Powertrain
Engine	1,125 cc (69 cu in) 4-cylinder side-valve
Transmission	a single plate clutch transmits the drive through a 4-speed manual gearbox with constant mesh gears controlled by a centrally placed speed lever to an open propellor shaft with metal universal joints and then to a spiral bevel driven three quarter floating rear axle
Dimensions
Wheelbase	7' 9", 93 in (2,362 mm) track 3' 9", 45 in (1,143 mm)
Length	11' 7", 139 in (3,500 mm)
Width	4' 7", 55 in (1,400 mm)
Height	5' 4", 64 in (1,600 mm)
Kerb weight	15½ cwt, 1,736 lb (787 kg)
Chronology
Predecessor	none
Successor	Austin A40

The Austin Ten is a small car that was produced by Austin. It was launched on 19 April 1932 and was Austin's best-selling car in the 1930s and continued in production, with upgrades, until 1947. It fitted in between their "baby" Austin Seven which had been introduced in 1922 and their various Austin Twelves which had been updated in January 1931.

The design of the car was conservative with a pressed steel body built on a ladder chassis. The chassis was designed to give a low overall height to the car by dipping down by 2.75 inches (70 mm) between the axles. The 1125-cc four-cylinder side-valve engine producing 21 brake horsepower (16 kW) drove the rear wheels through a four-speed gearbox and open drive shaft to a live rear axle. Steering was by worm and wheel. Suspension was by half-elliptic springs all round mounted on silent-bloc bushes and damped by frictional shock absorbers. The four-wheel brakes were cable and rod operated by pedal or by hand lever on the offside of the speed lever. The electrical system was 6 volt. For the first year only, a four-door saloon was made in two versions. The basic model cost £155 and was capable of reaching 55 miles per hour (89 km/h) with an economy of 34 and the Sunshine or De-Luxe with opening roof and leather upholstery at £168. Bumpers were provided. The chassis was priced at £120.

"The greatest comfortable speed was 55 mph though over 50 takes distance and persuasion. 30 to 35 is an effortless cruising rate with light throttle. . . The delight of the car lies in the easy speed and in the way it holds the road. The generally well balanced and quiet engine is livelier than some Austins. . . The suspension would probably be better with hydraulic shock absorbers. In front one travels very smoothly and the car is undoubtedly stable."
Motoring Correspondent, The Times

Open Road tourer

Colwyn cabriolet

van

1933 saw the saloons joined by an open two-seater or Open Road tourer, a Colwyn cabriolet and a van. A sports model, the 65 miles per hour (105 km/h), 30 brake horsepower (22 kW) Ripley joined the range in 1934. Mechanical upgrades for 1934 included a stronger chassis, synchromesh on the top two gears and 12-volt electrics.

The Ripley was a close-coupled four-door tourer with lowered front doors and no running boards. Improved engine breathing—Zenith downdraught carburettor, revised manifolds and camshaft—all combined to improve engine output to 30 bhp.