1929 Austin found in a garage - and five decades since it was last driven, starts first time

A fine example of British engineering, it was built at a time when things were made to last, and has benefited from one careful owner in 81 years. Made in 1929, a rare Austin 12/4 has been found have been languishing in a garage, unused, for five decades.

But when Roger Bulled turned the starter handle, ready to fire up the engine for first time since 1961, he was amazed to hear it turn over as if it had been driven every day. The fabric-bodied motor was owned by Mr Bulled’s late father, Leslie, who had been given it by his parents when it was brand new and straight off the forecourt.

Mr Bulled, 63, said he discovered the old car whilst going through his father’s possessions shortly after his death in 2008. He was too frightened to start the engine up fully in case it ruined the car, but is now putting it up for sale to allow an expert to restore it fully and hopefully get it onto the road.


Photo from here.

He said: “I pumped up the tyres and they stayed up. The rubber is cracked but the inner tubes are obviously still intact, which is remarkable really. And the engine turned over when we tried it with the starter handle, but I didn't try to start her up in case I did any damage but I'm sure it would go. I've never seen another fabric bodied saloon, even in a museum."

The car was built at the company's Longbridge factory in Birmingham and comes with an Austin 12 handbook, the licence belonging to its only driver, and a black and white photograph showing the car in its prime. The car is expected to attract nationwide interest when it goes under the hammer at Unique Auctions in Lincoln on April 5.

Terry Woodcock, the auctioneer, said: "The wheels alone are worth £100 each, it's incredible. "Restoring it will cost a fortune, but for someone it will be a labour of love, and it will be lovely because you don't see vintage cars around anymore."