1939 Austin 10 Cambridge
The Austin Ten Cambridge occupies a special place in British motoring history. Introduced as the natural step between the Austin Seven and the larger Austin Twelve, the Ten became Austin’s best-selling model of the 1930s and remained in production, with continual improvements, well into the post-war years. In December 1936 the model evolved into the more streamlined Cambridge, bringing with it improved comfort, refinements to the drivetrain and a modest increase in performance. With a top speed of around 60mph it was never intended as a sporting car, but it earned an enviable reputation for reliability, economy and practicality, becoming dependable family transport for generations.
This is a particularly lovely car of that story: an Austin 10 Cambridge registered on 24 March 1939 and finished in an combination of black and royal blue. The car has had just four previous owners from new, a fact supported by the history file that includes every V5 document, allowing the ownership trail to be followed clearly and confidently from its earliest days.
This Cambridge was released from long-term storage in 2008 by a dedicated Austin Club member and professional coachbuilder, who undertook a painstaking, body-off restoration over a two-year period. The work was completed to an exceptionally high standard, with the body, paintwork and brightwork carefully restored, the interior sympathetically refurbished, and the mechanical elements comprehensively overhauled with assistance from trusted specialists. The result is a car that presents beautifully today, with a finish and detailing that would grace any classic car showroom.
The history accompanying the car is a delight in its own right. Alongside extensive MOT records and invoices charting continual servicing and maintenance over many years, there are documents rarely seen together in one collection. These include a period owner’s handbook, photocopies of the original registration book from new, and original magazine material such as Practical Classics coverage of Austin 10 Cambridge DIY restoration, 1936 sales advertisements, and period Motor Trader pages illustrating lubrication diagrams and service data. A collection of detailed photographs documents the restoration and various aspects of the car, providing reassurance and insight for the next custodian.
Mechanical care has been ongoing and thorough. Over the years the car has benefited from significant expenditure including a clutch rebuild, head gasket work, fuel pump repairs and regular servicing. More recently the cylinder head has been removed and machined with hardened valve seats fitted, core plugs replaced where required, new hoses and service items installed, the flywheel machined and a new clutch fitted, attention paid to the fuel system including the petrol tank and SU carburettor, and the starter system refreshed with a new solenoid and reconditioned starter. Chrome work has been replaced or replated as needed, and discreet flashing indicators have been fitted to improve safety while retaining the car’s period charm.
Ready to be enjoyed immediately, this Austin 10 Cambridge would be equally at home attending local shows, heading to the pub on a sunny afternoon, undertaking film or promotional work, or simply providing a leisurely countryside run with a picnic basket in the boot. It is a wonderfully evocative motor car that offers its next owner the opportunity to create their own memories, just as so many families did with Austin Tens nearly ninety years ago.
PRICE: £7995