Austin 20hp Breakdown Truck

Key facts

Year

1926
Country

Great Britain
Capacity

3,610cc
Cylinders

4 cylinder
Valves

Side valve
Output

45bhp at 2,000rpm
Performance

55mph
Price new

£395 (chassis only)
Loaned by

Private Collection
Manufacturer

Austin Motor Co. Ltd

Originally fitted with a Landaulet body and used for taxi work, this Austin Twenty was converted into a breakdown truck in 1938 by Quick’s Garage of Handcross, Sussex. The winch, made by the owner’s grandfather Mr Quick in 1927, was previously fitted to Dodge and Rolls-Royce based recovery vehicles. This was a common use for older large cars at that time. Quick’s operated the vehicle until the 1950s. It was restored by Mr Martin Quick in 1967 and used in historic vehicle events in the 1970s.

Herbert Austin launched the Twenty in 1919, as part of his one-model policy. The intention was to use the same engine to power a car, commercial vehicle and a tractor. This plan nearly ruined Austin, as the car was too expensive to sell in large numbers. The launch of the Twelve and Seven models in 1922 reversed the company’s fortunes.