An Austin Anthology by James Stringer

February 28, 2018 Staff Austin, Highlights, Library 2

An Austin Anthology by James ‘Jim’ Stringer is an entertaining collection of true stories that feature just a few of the products manufactured by the Austin Motor Company from 1906 until the outbreak of the Second World War, including the people who helped to make them, those who drove them, and even those who flew them.
An Austin Anthology

Although the history of the Austin Seven and Taxicabs have been covered before in much greater detail elsewhere, you will find within these pages the stories of many other Austin creations: the Austin 12/6 which could be won by smoking Kensitas cigarettes; the Austin 20 which competed in the 1914 Austrian Alpine Trial; the remarkable racing car named ‘Pobble’ which went on to serve as an ambulance during the First World War, and the Australian couple who, in 1926, decided to drive their Austin Twelve right around Australia. The Music Hall artist, George Clarke, who performed on stage with his Austin Seven, and the ‘Austin Unity Song,’ a recording of which was presented to guests at the Company’s Annual dinner, are just two more fascinating stories which go to make up this Austin Anthology.

Some of the stories contained in An Austin Anthology

  • The Austin heir killed by a German sniper during WW1
  • An Austin bi-plane you could keep in your garage
  • The Longbridge typist who was murdered by her married lover
  • The Royal Flying Corps fighter ace who designed his own airplane
  • How Queen Mary greatly enjoyed the Austin Seven’s antics at the London Palladium
  • The Austin Twelve that was driven right around Australia in 1926
  • The largest Austin ever built with all the luxuries of a mobile home
  • What happened to the pensioned-off taxis – not all were scrapped … some went on amazing journeys
  • The apprentice who asked for time off to go to the pantomime

An Austin Anthology

James Stringer was born in 1943 and spent his early years in the West London suburb of Acton and, on leaving school, took an apprenticeship with London Transport. When he was old enough to drive, he looked around for a suitable motorcar which was affordable on apprentice’s wages. For £35 he purchased a 1929 Austin 16/6 saloon car, and thus his love affair with all things ‘Austin’ began. Joining the Vintage Austin Register in 1962 he soon became involved in its organization, and for 17 years edited and produced the Vintage Austin Magazine, undertaking research into many aspects of the products manufactured by the Austin Motor Company. James is now the Register’s Vice President.

Title: An Austin Anthology
Author: James Stringer
Publisher: Veloce Publishing
Publication Date: March 2018
ISBN: 9781787111912
Price: $25 /  £14.99

Note: Press release courtesy Veloce Publishing. 

 

Staff

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2 Comments

  1. I bought my wife an Austin 7 ruby 30 years ago. Of course we can only trailer to shows. It grew up in Cooperstown , NY in 1936 to 1950 when it went into storage. I do not know how it ever got up the hills around there.
    We also have the book “The Austin Seven Source Book” It is worth a small fortune.
    John

    • That is great! Would love to see a picture of the car. Hadn’t heard of the Source Book before so went and looked it up. You are right about the fortune ….

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