Austin 10 hp

Austin 10-hp
Open 2-seater 1913 chassis 10835, body by Tasmanian Motor Co, Launceston, Tasmania
Overview
Manufacturer	Austin
Production	1910–1915
Assembly	Longbridge Works, Birmingham
Body and chassis
Body style	Courier open 2-seater open tourer Sirdar phaeton chassis for bespoke body
Powertrain
Engine	1125 cc vertical inline four cylinder 1615 cc vertical inline four cylinder
Transmission	3-speed gearbox Austin segmental cone clutch, 4-speed gearbox, propellor shaft with universal joints to live rear axle through bevel gears.
Dimensions
Wheelbase	96 in (2,438 mm) 99 in (2,515 mm) or 111 in (2,819 mm) track 48 in (1,219 mm)
Length	130 in (3,302 mm) 147 in (3,734 mm)
Width	55.5 in (1,410 mm) not reported
Kerb weight	10 1⁄2 long cwt (1,176 lb; 533 kg) not reported
Chronology
Predecessor	Austin 7 hp

Austin 10-12 T-head
Engine 10835, 1913
Overview
Manufacturer	Austin
Combustion chamber
Configuration	vertical inline four cylinder
Displacement	1,125 cc (69 cu in) 1,615 cc (99 cu in)
Cylinder bore	2½" 63.5 mm 3" 76 mm
Piston stroke	3½" 88.9 mm
Valvetrain	sidevalves
Combustion
Fuel system	Claudel carburettor
Fuel type	petrol
Oil system	pressure
Cooling system	water
Output
Power output	not reported 16 bhp at 1,500 rpm Tax horsepower 10 Tax horsepower 14.32
Chronology
Predecessor	Austin 7 hp 1087 cc single cylinder
Successor	none

The Austin 10 hp is a small car that was produced between 1910 and 1915 by the British car manufacturer Austin at their Longbridge, Worcestershire plant near Birmingham. 1,336 cars were made, 213 with the 1125 cc engine and 1,123 with the 1615 cc engine. Like the 1087 cc Austin 7 hp produced by both Austin and Du Cros's Swift Motor Company it was not very successful when sold with the small engine.

The original small 4-cylinder 1125 cc engine was replaced in 1913 with a larger 14.32 horsepower 1615 cc engine. Though rated for tax at 14.3 horsepower this larger engined model is sometimes referred to as the Austin 10/12.

In 1913, the 10 hp was the cheapest model in the Austin range, costing £260 for a chassis with tyres. The 10 hp (of 14.32-h.p.) was renamed 12-14 hp before midsummer 1915 but production was limited due to the war.

The high-speed type vertical straight four-cylinder engine has a bore and stroke of 63.5 mm × 88.9 mm (2 ¹⁄₂ in × 3 ¹⁄₂ in) giving a capacity of 1125 cc and an RAC and fiscal rating of 10.0 horsepower.

The new car with the 42 per cent larger engine was described in the Daily Mail newspaper in October 1912. Throttle and ignition levers are mounted on the top of the steering wheel, a foot accelerator is also being fitted. The petrol tank is mounted on the dash.

The high-speed type "T"-head vertical straight four-cylinder engine has a bore and stroke of 76 mm × 88.9 mm (3 in × 3 ¹⁄₂ in) giving a capacity of 1615 cc and an RAC and fiscal rating of 14.32 horsepower. The cylinders are cast separately in spite of the general trend to monobloc engines. As before the engine is arranged to have interchangeable exhaust and inlet valves on opposing sides of the engine. Engine output was quoted as 12.5 brake horsepower at 1,000 r.p.m. and fully 16 brake horsepower on acceleration to 1,500 r.p.m.