Austin Automobile Company
Encyclopedia
The Austin was a brass era American
automobile
manufactured in Grand Rapids, Michigan
from 1901 to 1921. The company, founded by James E. Austin and his son Walter Austin, built large, expensive and powerful touring car
s with an unusual double cantilever
rear spring arrangement placing the rear wheels behind (sometimes well behind) the passenger compartment, for a longer wheelbase to improve rider comfort in an era of rough roads as well as a unique two-speed rear axle.
The 1907 60hp
(45 kW) LX model was an eight-seat tourer.
The Model XC in 1908 was a 90hp (67 kW) 13 litre six and described as the "sportiest kind of car it is possible to get", by Walter S. Austin. Depending on coachwork it could cost up to $7000. The car's wheelbase was extremely large at 147 in (3,733.8 mm). By 1911, the vehicles were equipped with electric lights and left-hand steering and in 1913 two speed rear axles were introduced.
The four cylinder models were dropped after 1908 and for 1915, a six with 572in3 (9383 cc) (4½×6 inches, 114×152 mm) engine was available in a three-passenger tourer or touring roadster
. The name "Highway King" was adopted in 1916.
In 1917 the company offered a V-12
which was made up until production operations ceased.
Production was never high, running at about 30 cars a year and in total about 1,000 cars were made. After the company closed the Austins moved into Real Estate.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
automobile
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
manufactured in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located on the Grand River about 40 miles east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 774,160 and a combined statistical area, Grand...
from 1901 to 1921. The company, founded by James E. Austin and his son Walter Austin, built large, expensive and powerful touring car
Touring car
A touring car, or tourer, is an open car seating five or more. Touring cars may have two or four doors. Often, the belt line is lowered in the front doors to give the car a more sportive character. They were often fitted with a folding roof and side curtains. Engines on early models were either in...
s with an unusual double cantilever
Cantilever
A cantilever is a beam anchored at only one end. The beam carries the load to the support where it is resisted by moment and shear stress. Cantilever construction allows for overhanging structures without external bracing. Cantilevers can also be constructed with trusses or slabs.This is in...
rear spring arrangement placing the rear wheels behind (sometimes well behind) the passenger compartment, for a longer wheelbase to improve rider comfort in an era of rough roads as well as a unique two-speed rear axle.
History
The first car, introduced in 1902, was a two cylinder model with the 16hp engine under the seat driving the rear wheels through an epicyclic gearbox and chains. It was considerably larger than most other makes of the day. For several years, colors were optional, but most were painted either white with tan trim or light brown. After about 10 were sold they moved to larger engines and shaft drive. Four cylinder models followed in 1904 rated at 35 or 50hp.The 1907 60hp
Horsepower
Horsepower is the name of several units of measurement of power. The most common definitions equal between 735.5 and 750 watts.Horsepower was originally defined to compare the output of steam engines with the power of draft horses in continuous operation. The unit was widely adopted to measure the...
(45 kW) LX model was an eight-seat tourer.
The Model XC in 1908 was a 90hp (67 kW) 13 litre six and described as the "sportiest kind of car it is possible to get", by Walter S. Austin. Depending on coachwork it could cost up to $7000. The car's wheelbase was extremely large at 147 in (3,733.8 mm). By 1911, the vehicles were equipped with electric lights and left-hand steering and in 1913 two speed rear axles were introduced.
The four cylinder models were dropped after 1908 and for 1915, a six with 572in3 (9383 cc) (4½×6 inches, 114×152 mm) engine was available in a three-passenger tourer or touring roadster
Roadster
A roadster is a two-seat open car with emphasis on sporty handling and without a fixed roof or side weather protection. Strictly speaking a roadster with wind-up windows is a convertible but as true roadsters are no longer made the distinction is now irrelevant...
. The name "Highway King" was adopted in 1916.
In 1917 the company offered a V-12
V12 engine
A V12 engine is a V engine with 12 cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of six cylinders, usually but not always at a 60° angle to each other, with all 12 pistons driving a common crankshaft....
which was made up until production operations ceased.
Production was never high, running at about 30 cars a year and in total about 1,000 cars were made. After the company closed the Austins moved into Real Estate.
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Sources
- Clymer, Floyd. Treasury of Early American Automobiles, 1877-1925. New York: Bonanza Books, 1950.