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+--- Thread: Could this be an Austin? (/showthread.php?tid=9857)
Could this be an Austin? - Colin Morgan - 20-02-2025
Hi,
This is on a Rochdale history website. Not sure it is an Austin, nor about the date.
Austin in Rochdale.jpg (Size: 279.61 KB / Downloads: 345)
RE: Could this be an Austin? - Chris Garner - 20-02-2025
Herbert Austin probably saw his first car in 1894 and in May 1896 the Wolseley Board voted him £2000 to manufacture cars.
The first " Wolseley Autocar Number 1 " was exhibited at Crystal Palace in December 1896.
The first Austin designed, badged and built car was announced in November 1906, being shown at the Olympia Exhibition on the 13th.
No, this is not an Austin.
RE: Could this be an Austin? - stuartu - 20-02-2025
I am reasonably certain that both date and vehicle identity are impressively wrong. I strongly suspect that the machine is a modified Century Forecar of circa 1902 or 3. The clothing strikes me as Edwardian.
It does seem unlikely that it would pre date Herr Benz’s efforts!
Regards,
Stuart
RE: Could this be an Austin? - John Cornforth - 20-02-2025
Eagle tandem 1901 ? See first photo here: https://www.mtwc.co.uk/mtwc-photos-1900-1913/
RE: Could this be an Austin? - Colin Morgan - 20-02-2025
Yes, looks a lot like this:
RE: Could this be an Austin? - stuartu - 20-02-2025
There is some suggestion of a link between Eagle and Century, see Motorsport for April 1977. Both used steering levers at first and steering wheels later. I would not disagree about the Eagle identity especially as they were based in Altrincham in the old Century premises.
Definitely not an Austin!
Regards,
Stuart
RE: Could this be an Austin? - Colin Morgan - 20-02-2025
Well, at this one from the same site is an Austin - and an early water-ski special?
RE: Could this be an Austin? - John Cornforth - 20-02-2025
The 1901 Census lists a Samuel Underwood aged 28 living at 125 Philips Park Road, Whitefield, North Manchester together with his Wife Nellie aged 30 and Daughter Nora aged 8. Norah's birthplace is listed as Rochdale. Samuel's occupation is listed as Police Constable.
It seems quite likely to me that this family are are two of the ones in the photo.
To my eye, Norah in the photo would be about 8 to 12 years old, giving a date of 1911 to 1915.
RE: Could this be an Austin? - Mike Costigan - 20-02-2025
The reflective number-plate on the Morris Traveller dates the second photo as late-1960s at the earliest; sadly the Ruby fails to appear on the current DVLA website.
RE: Could this be an Austin? - Colin Morgan - 22-02-2025
That Ruby could be in a barn or garage somewhere, then?