Austin 16 hp
The Austin Sixteen (often called the Austin 16) was Austin’s first all-new car after World War II, built from 1945 to 1949. It was a 2.2-litre four‑cylinder car, but it used the chassis and body of the prewar Austin 12, while introducing a brand-new engine—the first overhead-valve engine fitted to an Austin. The name “Sixteen” doesn’t reflect power; it came from how the UK tax authorities calculated road tax.
About 35,000 were made. The engine displaced 2,199 cc, with a bore of 79.3 mm and a stroke of 111 mm, and it produced 67 bhp at 3,800 rpm. The car had a 4-speed manual gearbox and could reach around 75 mph.
Body options included a 4-door saloon and a 4-door estate. It rode on a 104.5-inch wheelbase, was 171 inches long and 67 inches wide, with a track of 56 inches. Curb weight was about 27 cwt (roughly 1,370 kg).
A notable feature was a built-in hydraulic jacking system, similar to the London taxi, operated from a pump under the hood. Steering used a cam-and-lever setup with dual ratios for easier parking, and the suspension used elliptic springs with hydraulic dampers. Brakes were 11-inch drum units with a wedge-and-roller front setup.
The Sixteen found use in taxicab and hire fleets and even took part in publicity tours, including a 1947 trip where three Sixteens visited seven Northern European capitals in seven days. The car bridged the wartime gap before Austin moved on to newer models.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 13:43 (CET).