The Austin 30-hp is a large
luxury car that was announced by British car manufacturer
Austin
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of Texas, as well as the seat and largest city of Travis County, with portions extending into Hays and Williamson counties. Incorporated on December 27, 1839, it is the 11th-most-populous city ...
at the
Paris Salon de l'Automobile in December 1912 where its chassis only was displayed. Austin's other exhibits were two other bare chassis, 10-hp and 20-hp respectively and a 40-hp Defiance tourer.
The new Austin 30 would go on to replace Austin's successful but aging
18-24 for 1914. It provided the basis for Austin's wartime armoured car.
1913 model
The 30 hp incorporated several technical innovations including:
[Automobilism. ''The Times'', Tuesday, Dec 10, 1912; pg. 12; Issue 40078. ]
* a
torque tube
A torque tube system is a power transmission and braking technology that involves a stationary housing around the drive shaft, often used in automobiles with a front engine and rear drive. The torque tube consists of a large diameter stationary h ...
encasing the
propeller shaft so articulated that it can move freely with lateral movement of the back axle.
* a sub-frame for the engine clutch and gearbox at two points rigidly bolted to the front cross-member but resting at its back end in a circular rubber pad borne by the middle cross-member. This is to isolate the
frame
A frame is often a structural system that supports other components of a physical construction and/or steel frame that limits the construction's extent.
Frame and FRAME may also refer to:
Physical objects
In building construction
*Framing (con ...
and body from noise from the
gearbox
Propulsion transmission is the mode of transmitting and controlling propulsion power of a machine. The term ''transmission'' properly refers to the whole drivetrain, including clutch, gearbox, prop shaft (for rear-wheel drive vehicles), differe ...
and vibration from the other machinery.
* the
brake drum
A brake is a mechanical device that inhibits motion by absorbing energy from a moving system. It is used for slowing or stopping a moving vehicle, wheel, axle, or to prevent its motion, most often accomplished by means of friction.
Background ...
is on the propeller shaft behind the
universal joint, the drums and operating mechanism mounted on the forward end of the torque tube. The advantage is that the gear shaft and the front universal joint do not take the braking stresses. (By this time most manufacturers regarded transmission brakes obsolete)
* the lower portion of the
double elliptic springs is slung beneath the back axle.
* the steering connections are in the form of pin joints rather than ball joints. In the event of breakage the joints will not come apart but the play would warn the driver without endangering car or occupants.
[
]
Revision for 1914
The Olympia Motor Show in November 1913 revealed the 30-hp would replace the 6-year-old 18-24 in Austin's catalogue.[The Motor Show. ''The Times'', Monday, Nov 10, 1913; pg. 13; Issue 40365]
The engine's stroke was lengthened (it was now 111 mm x 157 mm) which did not affect its tax rating but increased its cubic capacity to 6.077-litres.[
Revised equipment includes a new suspension of the gearbox and the addition of a torque rod to the differential casing.][
]
Austin Armoured Car
The Austin 30 hp chassis formed the basis for the first Austin Armoured Car
The Austin Armoured Car was a British armoured car produced during the First World War. The vehicle is best known for its employment by the Imperial Russian Army in the First World War and by different forces in the Russian Civil War.
In ad ...
, used in World War I
World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
mainly by Russia.
References
External links
{{Austin Motor Company
*30 hp
Cars introduced in 1912