Sunday Driver, a photo from Rutland, England

Photographer's Note

I am reliably informed that this model is an Austin 12/4 (so-called because it had a 12 horsepower engine with four cylinders) and was very popular in the 1920s particularly as taxis. You can read more about that model on Wikipedia.Thank you John(Tyro)for the correction.
The image is not too sharp but that is because our car windscreen was a little dusty.Taken on the A47 near Morcott in Rutland about 7miles from Oakham.

Herbert Austin felt a smaller car would be popular, in spite of protestations from the company's board of directors who were concerned about the financial status of the company. Austin won them over by threatening to take the idea to their competitor Wolseley, and got permission to start on the design which was by him (chassis, suspension etc) and Stanley Edge (engine) working together from 1921 into 1922 at Austin's home, Lickey Grange.

Austin put a large amount of his own money into the design and patented many of its innovations in his own name. In return for the investment he was paid a royalty of two guineas (£2, 2s), (£2.10) on every car sold.

The first prototype was registered with the number OK 2950 and was later joined by OK 3537.

1922 July the car was launched, initially with a 696cc engine

Two thousand cars were made in the first year of production, not as many as hoped, but within a few years the "big car in miniature" had wiped out the cyclecar industry and transformed the fortunes of Austin.

1923 The engine size was increased to 747cc

1924 Added an electric starter

1933 Added a four-speed gearbox

By 1939 when production finally ended, 290,000 cars and vans had been made. (Some accounts say 375,000 produced)

tyro, bj40, Zengi001, Sonata11, ourania, macjake, axiotea, Noel_Byrne has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

tyro (13579) 2012-04-27 4:42

Hi Marion,

This is a lovely picture and of remarkably good quality considering that it was taken through a car windscreen. Your windscreen must be much cleaner than mine!

The composition is excellent with the old car nicely off-centre (I presume that you were in the passenger seat and not driving!) and the colours are nicely saturated. The exposure and sharpness are also good.

Your note about Herbert Austin and the development of his iconic tiny little "Seven" was inatersting but, sorry to say, this is not an Austin Seven - it's far too big and the "Sevens" were never fitted with those heavy "artillery" wheels - always "wire" wheels or, toward the end of their production, modern-type steel wheels.

This and this are pictures of Sevens, the first one a saloon from about 1929 and the second an open version probably from around 1932 and you can see just how tiny they are.

This car, I suspect, is an Austin 12/4 (so-called because it had a 12 horsepower engine with four cylinders) and was very popular in the 1920s particularly as taxis. You can read more about that model on Wikipedia here. I remember my children (even though they were all girls) being interested in Val Biro's lovely children's books about "Gumdrop" an open Austin 12/4 which he had found and restored.

I love Austins and, if you're interested, next time you venture north of the border, I can take you for a drive in my little girlfriend, a 1935 Austin 10/4 Lichfield saloon.

I think I'm going to add your picture to my favourites!

Kind Regards,

John.

bj40 (1866) 2012-04-27 5:50

Hi Marion,Such a well composed image considering it was taken from a moving vehicle,all of the elements work together and make for a picturesque scene.Thanks Tom

Zengi001 (2097) 2012-04-27 7:30

Hello Marion,
A beautiful composition with a very informative presentation, well done and thanks for sharing,
Have a nice WE,
Engin.

Sonata11 (28748) 2012-04-27 22:17

Hello Marion,
marvellous captured of daily life scene. Wonderful composition and frame with perfect perspective, colors, sharpness, super clarity. I love the beautiful car and surroundings. Fantastic view of this place. Excellent work. Congratulation. Perfect picturesque image.
All the best and have a nice WE.
Barbara

ourania (13057) 2012-04-28 0:53

Hello Marion,
this picture is superb, captured with great timing when the lovely car was on the best possible spot for your composition. I love the patterns of the naked trees against the sky and the road sign. The colours are marvellous and the atmosphere wonderful. Well done and thank you!
All the best, have a great weekend,
Ourania

macjake (39962) 2012-05-01 1:44

Hi Marion
a very informative and interesting note you wrote - that can only make the photo that much better.

as for the photo itself...I can't help but think of the movie "Driving Miss Daisy"
it just has that charm and elegance to it.
lovely scene, well captured.
Cheers
Craig

axiotea (21647) 2012-05-01 23:59

Hello Marion
That's a lovely compo! The sharpness is reasonable especially considering you took this picture through the car windscreen! Although I'm not a car fan, I love to see the old vehicles! The Austin is well positioned and I like how you've framed the scene. Difficult to avoid the electric wires ;)

Have a nice day
Marilyn

Royaldevon (18339) 2012-05-14 0:46

Good Morning Marion,

This shot has all the mood of a Miss Marple investigation. It could be amost a 100 years old apart from the overhead cables and road signs.
You have composed it beautifully, with the detailed Austin strongly positioned in the frame.
There is something so sedate about travelling in one of these beauties. We used to have a wonderful Standard 10, which we went to rallies in, but, sadly, the expense of having a family meant that the old lady had to move to new pastures.

Have a lovely day,
Bev :-)

Noel_Byrne (8055) 2012-10-12 8:41

Hi Marion,
A wonderful title to a wonderful image! Immediately, driving miss Daisy came to mind :) Your composition is perfect, and the car looks so perfect on this quaint and beautiful road. I see the speed sign of 50, and wodner if this is a limit or an aspiration!

Thanks for sharing!
noel