Pneus Austin 20

1913 Austin 20HP Ranelaugh Advert

Austin 20 History

The Austin 20 story began before the First World War, when Herbert Austin developed the original pre-war 20 hp model in 1912-1913. These large-engined cars proved their reliability, performing well in demanding early automotive events like the Alpine Trial.

After WWI, Herbert Austin took a gamble with the completely new Austin 20 in 1919. There was only one model that was produced at scale, inspired by Henry Ford’s successes with the modern production line. Austin believed Britain needed a sturdy, practical luxury car to lead the market into peacetime. The post-war Austin 20 was born.

The Austin 20 was a big car for British roads, with a 3.6-litre four-cylinder engine producing around 45 horsepower, which was enough to comfortably hit 60 mph. Early reviews praised its strong hill-climbing ability and quiet running but criticised the plain finish and American looks. The car was priced around £495, with customers lining up.

However, Austin soon had trouble. Production delays, rising prices, and a struggling post-war economy nearly broke the company. By 1921, sales had slowed, leaving Austin close to bankruptcy. The one-model plan was scrapped, and smaller, cheaper cars like the hugely successful Austin Seven saved the company. The Austin 20 survived the restructure and found its place as the premium, prestige model.

1925 Austin 20 Carlton Saloon Advert

Through the 1920s, this "Heavy Twenty" earned a reputation for reliability, strength, and effortless long distance driving. As luxury limousines, sturdy family tourers, and robust commercial vehicles, The Heavy 20 quickly proved its worth, often covering huge distances without need for service.

In 1927, responding to customer demands for greater refinement, Austin introduced a smoother six-cylinder variant, the Austin 20/6. Its smaller (but silkier) 3.4-litre straight-six engine offered improved smoothness and slightly more power. With increasingly luxurious interiors and elegant bodies—like the Whitehall Saloon or the long-wheelbase Ranelagh Limousine—the Austin 20/6 held its own among higher-priced luxury rivals, providing close to Rolls-Royce comfort at a much lower price.

Austin steadily improved the 20/6 through the 1930s, adding technology like a synchromesh gearbox, advanced Girling brakes, and more streamlined bodies.

In 1938, Austin briefly introduced the powerful Austin Twenty-Eight, fitted with a 4-litre six-cylinder engine with around 90 horsepower, but the Second World War cut short its production, leading to fewer than 300 units produced.

The Austin 20 reflected Britain's automotive journey between two world wars, from post-war economic struggles to the luxury and refinement of the late 1930s. While the Austin Seven is perhaps better remembered today, the Austin 20 remains an important vintage car, a symbol of reliability, class, and understated British elegance.