British Austin Data Plate, When is it From?

[TexRiv_63]

I need some help from our UK and European car experts with this Austin Motor Co. data plate. I have had this on Ebay for a long time with little interest, which has surprised me due to its age and condition. It is thin brass 3 3/4" wide by 1" high with what appears to be engraved script lettering and a hand stamped serial number 5595. The vehicle was made at the Longbridge Works, Northfield. Birmingham. Research tells me Austin started building cars in 1905, is there any way to determine the age of the vehicle this plate was affixed to? Any help is appreciated, TIA

https://www.ebay.com/itm/284942214714

 

[TexRiv_63]

Nobody?

[1912Staver]

Austin's this far back in time are almost unknown here in North America. Posibly someone in the U.K. might know ?

[1939_Buick]

Ask on https://www.prewarcar.com/

 

And https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/car_clubs/austin_car_clubs.htm

 

The basic Austin cars unlikely to have an elaborate plate

May be https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin_A90_Atlantic   Sold in USA

Or https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin_Sheerline

 

And https://rareaustins.com/ (USA)

Edited September 2, 2022 by 1939_Buick (see edit history)

[dictator27]

People on this side of the puddle associate the Austin name with low cost econoboxes.  Prior to 1920 though, that wasn't the case.  Austin was known as a maker of high end low volume limousines and sporting automobiles which rivaled Rolls Royce for quality.  The 3.6 litre 4 cylinder 20 could give 3 litre Bentleys a good run.  The engine readily accepted modification and could produce up to 90 hp.  The post WW1 recession stalled sales of high end cars and Austin introduced the famous Seven in response.  Total production of the 20 was just 6000 cars.  With the serial number of 5595 what is the possibility that this plate came from a 1919/1920 Sporting 20 brought into the US by someone who wanted a quality performance car but not at a Rolls Royce price?  

Edited September 3, 2022 by dictator27 (see edit history)

[8E45E]

10 hours ago, dictator27 said:

People on this side of the puddle associate the Austin name with low cost econoboxes.  Prior to 1920 though, that wasn't the case.  Austin was known as a maker of high end low volume limousines and sporting automobiles which rivaled Rolls Royce for quality.   

Austin also made 'high end' cars after the war with the Sheerline series: Austin Sheerline - Wikipedia  Austin Sheerline - Old Autos Publication

 

And later, the A120 & A135  Austin Princess - Wikipedia

 

Craig

[nzcarnerd]

I replied to this one when a similar enquiry came up on facebook recently. As Dictator27 noted they did make some larger, more expensive, cars especially pre-WW1. The 3.6 litre 20 was their new model from 1919 onwards.

 

I think the Vintage Austin Register in the UK will know the answer.

 

Going by the numbers quoted in this link I think the brass plate in question probably dates from circa 1910.  Like many makers at the time there were frequent model changes and updates - List of Austin motor vehicles - Wikipedia

 

This is a 1910 Model 18/24 - Austin 18/24 - Wikipedia - which was restored in New Zealand, but I believe has now gone to the UK. Ross Frater photo taken at the NZVCC rally in Wanganui in 2012 -