The Austin Sixteen Light Six is a British car that was made by Austin from 1927. It was announced in October 1927, with first deliveries planned for March 1928. To distinguish the car from the smaller-engined models in the range a plated Austin Six script was fixed to the radiator grille.
Austin 16 at a glance
| Announced | October 1927; first deliveries in 1928 |
|---|---|
| Position | a medium saloon above the Seven and Twelve, much smaller than the 3.6-litre Twenty |
| Engine | new six-cylinder with similarities to the Twenty (timing chain at the rear of the block) |
| Layout | gearbox in unit with the engine, semi-elliptic springs all round |
| Safety glass | Triplex on all front screens from March 1929 |
| Changes | coupés dropped in 1930, Weymann fabric saloons in 1931 |
| 1934 models | synchromesh on 3rd and 4th, optional 2,511 cc 18 hp engine, optional 120 in wheelbase |
| Production of the 1934 version | 5,742 sixteens and 2,630 eighteens |
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 16
The Austin Sixteen was announced as a medium saloon sitting within Austin’s range above the Seven and Twelve models but still much smaller than the 3.6-litre Twenty; the first cars were not available until 1928. The six-cylinder engine was new but had similarities to the engine in the Twenty, with its timing chain at the rear of the block. The design was up to date, with the gearbox in unit with the engine and semi-elliptic springs all round. Triplex safety glass was fitted to all front screens from March 1929.
A wide range of body types was available at first but was simplified over the years: the coupés went first in 1930, followed by the Weymann-type fabric saloons in 1931.
1934 models
In August 1933 various improvements were announced for the 1934 models. The gearbox gained synchromesh on third and fourth gears and an alternative larger 2,511 cc 18 hp engine became available at no extra charge. An early automatic gearbox was available between 1934 and 1936 but few were sold, and a longer 120 in (3,000 mm) wheelbase became an option. Of this version 5,742 sixteens and 2,630 eighteens were made.
Hayes self-selector transmission
The Hayes transmission gave a drive that varied automatically within limits set by a finger-and-thumb lever on the top of the steering wheel. The drive passed through steel rollers between curved steel races, with the ratio altered by rocking the rollers hydraulically; there were no gears except for reverse, and a wide variation in ratios was available automatically.
Design and features
- Engine: a new six, related to the Twenty’s.
- Gearbox: in unit with the engine; synchromesh on 3rd and 4th from the 1934 models.
- Automatic option: the Hayes self-selector, 1934–1936, few sold.
Austin 16 versions
- Sixteen Light Six (1927–): the original six-cylinder 16.
- Eighteen (1934): the 2,511 cc 18 hp version.
- Long-wheelbase chassis (1934): 120 in.
More Austin cars are in our Austin collection, for example the Austin 7, the Austin 12, the Austin Twenty and the Austin 18.
Austin 16 questions and answers
When was the Austin Sixteen announced?
In October 1927, with deliveries from 1928.
What was it called Light Six?
The Austin Six script was fixed to the grille to tell it from the smaller models.
What was the 18 hp?
An optional 2,511 cc engine from the 1934 models.
What was the Hayes transmission?
An early automatic transmission available from 1934 to 1936 that few buyers chose.
How many 1934 cars were made?
5,742 sixteens and 2,630 eighteens.
Video: 1930 Austin 16 walk around
Video by RestorerMatt on YouTube.
Sources
- Austin 16, English Wikipedia: 1927 and 1934 models, Hayes transmission
