Lot 158

Hershey 2013

1933 American Austin Station Wagon

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$30,800 USD | Sold

United States | Hershey, Pennsylvania

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Chassis No.
2752593
  • A unique American “compact car”
  • Built to demonstrate “what might have been”
  • Beautifully constructed and true to factory standards

13 bhp, 745 cc inline four-cylinder engine with single updraft carburetor, three-speed manual transmission, traverse leaf-spring front suspension and rear quarter-elliptic spring suspension and live rear axle, and four-wheel mechanical brakes. Wheelbase: 75 in.

At a time when America was almost exclusively producing large, stately cars that were powered by eight-, twelve-, and sixteen-cylinder engines, the American Austin Car Company was willing to go against the grain and create something that was economical, petite, and all-around adorable. The American Austin was intended to revolutionize motoring in the United States, as families would now be able to afford having two cars, and they would learn that a small car could be just as useful as having one with a much larger footprint.

Manufactured with pride in Butler, Pennsylvania, the American Austin shared many components with their British made cousins, the Austin Seven, and every engine was tested on a dynamometer before being mated to a chassis. While the cars were extremely capable and well manufactured, they never quite caught on with customers in the United States. Annual sales were projected to be around 60,000 to 100,000 per year, but total production over six years didn’t even approach their high annual estimate. Despite this, there is no doubt that these were fantastic cars, and they have had a loyal following ever since they left the factory.

As a station wagon was never manufactured by the American Austin factory, this 1933 Station Wagon is a picture of what could have been, had the factory decided to construct one. It was assembled by an American Austin enthusiast that used a coupe as a platform, and it is finished in green with black fenders and wood trim. It is incredibly appealing, as it recalls the commercial models that American Austin produced at the same time. The interior beautifully complements the exterior of the wagon, and it is finished in tan leather with a black dashboard. This Station Wagon exhibits excellent workmanship, and it has been well maintained over time. Nearly no signs of age are apparent on its exterior or interior.

While the roadster is generally considered to be the most loved of all the models offered, this Station Wagon certainly has a charm of its own. This American Austin is presented in exceptional condition, and it will surely pull at the heartstrings of microcar and woodie enthusiasts alike. There is none other like it!

Titled as 1934.