Lot 037: Austin Ten Cambridge

Launched in 1932, the 10 was Austin's best selling car in the 1930s and continued in production until 1947. It fitted in between the little Austin 7 which had been introduced in 1922 and the Austin 12hp which had been updated in 1931.Powered by a 1,125cc four-cylinder side-valve engine producing 21bhp, it had a top speed of 55mph and could do 34mpg. Drive was through a four-speed gearbox and open driveshaft to a live rear axle. Suspension was by half-elliptic springs all round and the brakes were cable operated. Initially 6-volt, the electrical system was upgraded to 12-volt in 1934.In the same year synchromesh was added to the top three gears, the chassis was strengthened and the radiator received a painted, rather than plated, surround. One of the most attractive and practical of the Ten saloons was the six-light Cambridge which had a proper boot that you could actually fit some luggage into  in other models it was full of spare wheel!First registered in September 1936, this delightful little Cambridge is one of the earliest examples made and has had just five owners from new. It is said to be totally original, unrestored and correct in every detail. Even the paint is original and, although it is now somewhat flat and worn after 70 years exposure to the elements, that is the way the owner likes it  he cannot bring himself to spruce her up with a fresh coat of paint for fear of spoiling her character. The blue leather upholstery is in excellent condition for its age and has that lovely patina that only comes from decades of light use. The rear sun blind still operates perfectly on its drawstring and the interior lamp that plugs into a socket on the dashboard still nestles in the glovebox.The car comes with a sheaf of bills to show regular maintenance and has virtually every tax disc back to 1976 and every MOT back to 1986 when the mileage was 40,890. It is now showing 44,338 miles on the clock and is said to drive beautifully and to bowl along happily at 50mph. The sliding sunroof operates perfectly and the car will have a fresh MOT before the sale. The original tool kit, starting handle and wheel-changing kit is still in the boot, as are the straps to fasten a picnic hamper to the tailgate. The original owner's handbook and motoring log book are also present. Altogether a most charming and unmolested car that oozes nostalgia from every cherished pore.