Description

1930 Austin 20/6 Ranelagh Landaulette

From a deceased estate; current owner 50+ years; lusty 3.4 six-cylinder engine; seats seven with ease; fold-away rear roof section; a fine specimen of this imperious motorcar

Austin introduced its big 20hp model in 1919, a car heavily influenced by a Hudson Super Six that Herbert Austin drove during the war. 

Incorporating many of the Hudson features that had so impressed the Austin boss, the Twenty was powered by a lusty 3.6-litre four-cylinder engine with a cast-iron block, a detachable cylinder head and an aluminium crankcase. Driving through a four-speed gearbox it developed 45bhp at 2,000rpm and could lope along at 60mph+.

In 1926 it was replaced by a six-cylinder version, the 20/6, now with a smoother 3.4-litre engine and braking to all four wheels. Spacious and imposing with real road presence, it came in a variety of saloon, landaulette and limousine body styles and was aimed mainly at the chauffeur-driven classes.

Immensely durable and reliable, the Twenty was considered by many to be at least the equal of the contemporary Rolls-Royce 20hp and, with light enough coachwork, it could even give a Bentley 3-Litre a run for its money. Popular as a hire car, it was not unusual for a well-maintained Twenty to clock up over half-a-million miles in its working life. This made it a particular success in export markets where road conditions could be quite demanding.

First registered in Kent in May 1930, this fine Austin 20/6 Ranelagh Landaulette has been in the current family ownership for at least 50 years. When it was first acquired it was in a fairly dilapidated state so the owner and his father, who ran a car parts business in Wales, set about a thorough restoration that took many years to complete. Although there are no invoices to show exactly what was done, the car speaks for itself and it really does look wonderful, both above and below.

Finally back on the road in the mid-1990s (when it was valued at £22,000), the car was then in light, regular use, earning good money as an occasional wedding car and taking the whole family to local shows and day trips in the glorious Pembrokeshire countryside, dismissing the hills with ease.

Old MOTs and tax discs show that the car was tested every year from 1996 – 2011 and taxed until 2014 but it was then used much less frequently due to illness. An invoice shows that it was thoroughly recommissioned by Ty-Canol Restorations of Fishguard in 2020 including a full service plus numerous other jobs at a cost of over £1,000.

Immediately before the auction it also received a second bout of fettling by a family friend who has worked on the car for many years and we can report that it has been starting promptly and running beautifully as we have moved it around on site, with healthy 20psi oil pressure at tick-over.

On offer here from a deceased estate, this wonderful old limo seats seven with ease and the rear roof section folds back so the passengers can bask in the sunshine. It could no doubt make a good living as a wedding car and would also be a great conveyance for a group of friends bound for Goodwood or just a summer picnic. It is 16ft 4ins long from stem to stern, so just make sure it will fit in your garage!

For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com