Every week, we’re highlighting an auction bargain that we reckon was well bought. Thanks to our friends at Classic Car Weekly, and its roving classic car auction reporter, Richy Barnett, we’ll bring you some interesting classics at much lower-than-expected prices. This week, we’re bringing you a below-estimate Austin 10.
Car 1933 Austin 10 Saloon
Sold for £6975
Original estimate £8000-12,000
Long story short: a good buy for being less-well known
It needed no cosmetics sorting. While this 10 was small in size compared with the other cars offered at this Bonhams sale, it more than compensated for this in terms of its condition. The bodywork was in very good order, devoid of corrosion or dame, while the doors hung well, with no evidence of hinge drop. Two-tone red and black paint remained deep with a good shine. It was all spot-on inside, too.
It was the same with the red interior, which looked as good as the outside. The carpet and door panels were mellowed but by no means untidy and the seats, re-trimmed in same red vinyl, were as-new. The engine bay was tidy and it was reported to be in fine fettle mechanically with the engine, gearbox and brakes described as being ‘very good’ and the suspension as ‘good’. The car came with some history, too, which is always a welcome sight, especially with a car of this age.
It’s still an easy classic to live with. Forget what the experts down at the Twig and Consul might like to say – ie. that there is simply no demand for pre-war motors – because there is a definite following for these cars, and this Ten was a great way into that era of motoring. Bruce Hudson’s 1975-published British Light Cars, 1930-1939 describes the 10 as ‘a good, solid, orthodox light saloon,’ a statement that still holds true today. Factor in the good club and spares support and it’s clear this was one example of the breed that was extremely well bought.
Austin 10 price guide
Concours £10,000+
Good £5000-8500
Usable £3000-5000
Project £1500-3000
THIS CAR £6975
Well bought Austin 10 Saloon: The verdict
Great price for a car that will get you into all the best events
It wasn’t an Austin Seven, and generally the market tends to like Sevens eligible for Vintage Sports Car Club events. That said, there was so much in this 10’s favour – it was well-presented inside and out and had good mechanicals, too, so the new owner could enjoy it for the rest of summer and, if they wanted, during autumn and winter, too.
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