The Austin Loadstar was a lorry produced by the British Austin Motor Company from 1949. It was Austin’s first new lorry design after World War II and their last stand-alone design before the merger with Morris Motors to form the British Motor Corporation.
Austin Loadstar at a glance
| Produced | from 1949 until its replacement in 1956 |
|---|---|
| Base | a revised version of the Austin K2 |
| Engine | K-series six-cylinder petrol, 3,995 cc, 125 bhp (93 kW) |
| Payloads | K2 for 2 tonnes, K4 for 5 tonnes |
| Wheelbases | 2.9 m and 4.0 m |
| Diesel option | Perkins P6, later in production |
| Military | K9 4×4 variant |
| Replaced by | Austin S201/401/501, also the Morris WF |
This page is based on English Wikipedia only (a trusted source), so the facts were not cross-checked against a second source.
History of the Austin Loadstar
The Loadstar was offered in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Scandinavia, partly again as the Austin K2 for the 2-tonne and as the Austin K4 for the 5-tonne payload variant. In the early 1950s economic difficulties forced Austin and Morris to merge to form BMC; as a result the Loadstar was replaced in 1956 by the Austin S201/401/501, which was also offered as the Morris WF through badge engineering.
K-series engine
The Loadstar was powered by Austin’s 3,995 cc K-series six-cylinder petrol engine, known for its durability and also used in other Austin commercial vehicles and passenger cars of the era, including the A125 Sheerline and A135 Princess. No diesel was initially offered; a Perkins P6 diesel became available later in production for operators seeking better fuel economy.
K9 variant
A military 4×4 variant known as the K9 was also produced and used as an ambulance, water carrier, recovery vehicle and radio lorry. The military version often had a round hatch in the cab roof for defensive and observation purposes.
Design and features
- Engine: the durable 3,995 cc K-series six.
- Sizes: two wheelbases and two payload classes.
- Military: the K9 four-wheel-drive version.
Austin Loadstar versions
- K2 (2 tonnes) and K4 (5 tonnes).
- K9: military 4×4.
- Perkins P6 diesel option.
More Austin cars are in our Austin collection, for example the K2, the Sheerline that shared its engine and the Princess.
Austin Loadstar questions and answers
When was the Loadstar built?
From 1949 until 1956.
What engine did it have?
A 3,995 cc six-cylinder K-series petrol, 125 bhp.
What was the K9?
A military 4×4 variant, used as ambulance, water carrier, recovery vehicle and radio lorry.
What replaced it?
The Austin S201/401/501, also sold as the Morris WF.
Did it have a diesel?
A Perkins P6 diesel was optional later.
Sources
- Austin Loadstar, English Wikipedia: engine and variants
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