Last Real Austins 1946 - 1959

Examines how Austin bounced back after WWII, and how, despite the severe materials shortage, it managed to develop the largest range of vehicles produced by any automaker in postwar Britain. This title is illustrated with archive photography depicting the weird, wonderful and the downright imaginative.

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This book chronicles how Austin overcame the tough austerity period immediately after WWII and went on to design a comprehensive range of cars, sports cars, limousines, taxicabs, off-roaders, military vehicles, vans and trucks that has never been equalled by one single manufacturer. In the immediate post-war years its modern and innovative range of cars, trucks and vans were forced to take on world markets as a result of the British Government's Export or die mandate to help pay off massive war debts. At its peak, Austin was required to export 75 per cent of production, resulting in long waiting lists for new vehicles on the home market. As a result, many of its impressive range of modern vehicles were to find customers in the four corners of the world, helping to establish Austin as one of the world's best known auto makers at the time. This book chronicles each model and focuses on how and where it was used and received, and is illustrated with rare archive material and stunning new colour photography which will be appreciated by enthusiasts and restorers alike.