History-Austin

The Austin Motor Company has a rich history that began in 1905 when it was founded by Herbert Austin in Longbridge, England. Here are some key milestones in the history of the Austin marque:

Early Years (1905-1918)

• 1905: Herbert Austin founded the company after leaving Wolseley. The first Austin car, a conventional four-cylinder model with chain drive, was introduced.

• 1908: Austin entered four cars in the French Grand Prix, marking its early involvement in motorsport.

Interwar Period (1919-1939)

• 1922: The iconic Austin Seven was launched, which became one of the most popular cars of its time and played a significant role in making car ownership accessible to the masses.

• 1936: The Austin Twelve, a smaller and more affordable car, was introduced and remained in production until 1936.

Post-War Era (1945-1952)

• 1945: After World War II, Austin resumed production with pre-war models and introduced the Austin Sixteen, featuring a new overhead valve engine.

Merger and Later Years (1952-1987)

• 1952: Austin merged with Morris Motors Limited to form the British Motor Corporation (BMC), but the Austin marque continued to be used.

• 1967: BMC became part of British Leyland, and the Austin name was used until 19871.

Modern Era

• 2005: The Austin trademark was acquired by the Chinese firm SAIC Motor, following the bankruptcy of Nanjing Automotive.

The Austin marque is remembered for its significant contributions to the automotive industry, particularly with models like the Austin Seven, which had a lasting impact on car design and manufacturing.