100 Years of the Austin Heavy 12/4 Celebrations in 2022

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100 Years of the Austin Heavy 12/4 Celebrations in 2022

Post by Media-Moderator »

100 Heavy 12 cars to celebrate 100 years of the Austin Heavy 12/4

As you will all know, next year marks the Centenary of the production of the Austin Heavy 12/4. We have had a brainstorming session with the Committee and some regional reps to see how best to celebrate this wonderful heritage event, and would welcome ideas from all Members, preferably at or before the AGM on 25th September. Our view is that, given the wide geographical spread of the cars and our members, we should try to have a country-wide rally over the course of the year, where a baton is carried from a starting point, through 6 to 10 defined regions, so that it involves participation from as many of our cars as is possible – hence 100 cars for 100 years. We would intend to start in April with a grand opening rally starting with the Pride of Longbridge, (possibly with a special send-off), with the baton then being passed on to the next designated region, passing eventually to our annual rally (probably again at Hartlebury Castle) and ending at our AGM (quite possibly at Bicester Heritage Centre). Each region would have its own particular character and plan, and these would range from a circular rally (on little-used roads) over a day or so, to a more centralised rally in a particular region lasting perhaps two or three days and taking in local attractions. The idea is that everyone can participate in at least one event, perhaps more, and so be a part of this celebration. We aim to get as many of our cars on the road at some point, and to have photos of every single Heavy 12/4 taking part. We would like to see several hundred cars participating at some stage, and to have at least one leg where 100 cars celebrate 100 years.

This is the genesis of our thinking, and we welcome views from all Members, particularly at the AGM, on how this Centenary can be celebrated. We will revert shortly after the AGM with more detailed plans, but in the meantime please think how YOU can help, and confirm to us that there is interest in the membership to be a part of such a celebration.
DHutch
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Re: 100 Years of the Austin Heavy 12/4 Celebrations in 2022

Post by DHutch »

Sounds good.

Hopefully we can get over from the Wirral and join you.


Daniel
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Re: 100 Years of the Austin Heavy 12/4 Celebrations in 2022

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THE VINTAGE AUSTIN REGISTER - AUSTIN 12/4 CENTENARY
Stonehurst Family Farm and Motor Museum
Mountsorrel Leicestershire LE22 7AA
www.stonehurstfarm.co.uk

SUNDAY JUNE 12 2022, 10.00am to 4.30pm
We have secured a great central location for the centenary celebration of the Austin 12/4 where arrangements are well in hand for our Centenary gathering. Owned by a VAR member and used by several car clubs for their celebratory events, Stonehurst has a very interesting Motor Museum and an on-site cafeteria serving hot food, snacks and drinks, which is open until 5.00pm. Camping is also available at the farm over Saturday and Sunday nights.

You will find an entry form for this main event, as a removable centrefold, in the Newsletter.


Entry fee for the event is £10 per car.
Heavy 12/4 entrants will receive a centenary plaque on arrival.

Fee for camping/caravan is £15 inclusive overnight Saturday/Sunday.
(Please do not arrive before 3.30pm Saturday)

To set the historical scene, 1922 was a significant date for the Austin 12/4. Its first public showing anywhere was January 1922 at the Scottish Motor Show, Kelvin Hall, Glasgow. Three body styles were offered: a four-seater tourer, and a two/four-seater at £550. There was also the coupé at £675 or £695 with a leather hood and a choice of colour. All had six-stud wooden wheels. So our sturdy 12/4 made its debut in Scotland. We have suggested our Scottish members endeavour to re-create this scene sometime in 2022. What a re- enactment this could be! How proud Lord Austin would have been knowing his ‘Twelve’ had survived 100 years!

At Stonehurst we shall have a prominent display area close to the central facilities, where 12/4s will be arranged by progressive dates ranging from 1922 to 1939. All other Austin models up to 1939 will be welcomed and displayed in an area separate to the 12/4s, but the same conditions of entry will apply.

Car parking is available for non-entrants.

YOU MUST HAVE COMPLETED AN ENTRY FORM TO ENTER THE SHOW FIELD.

We would like as many 12/4s there as possible.
Our target is 100 to truly represent the Centenary.
There are two main routes organised, one from the North the other from the South. Several organised runs from various parts of the country are being planned by regional representatives. You can join any route(s), even en route, or you may prefer to make your own way to the rally; the main thing is to attend. Restoration projects and cars on trailers will be welcome.


There will be a social gathering and gala dinner on the Saturday at
Quorn Country Hotel, 66 Leicester Road, Quorn, Loughborough, LE12 8BB
(0.7 miles to Stonehurst Farm)

The gala dinner is on SATURDAY 11 JUNE, 7.00pm for 7.30pm,
Cost is £25 per person. Dress smart casual.

Accommodation is also available at a special room rate of £80 including breakfast. Please book directly with the hotel on 01509-415050.

Bookings for the Centenary Dinner are to be made through Peter Rowlands
(pc.rowlands@btinternet.com or 07884-445518)

If you are planning to attend you may wish to book accommodation in the area whilst it is still available.

For those of you who are unsure of driving long distances in your cherished cars remember that Austins are very dependable. In the unlikely event of a breakdown there are plenty of VAR members around the country who have offered their help (reference * against member number in the April 2021 List of Members and Cars), and, for those insured by RH specialist insurance, there is a free breakdown recovery service. It’s worth checking with your own insurance company if you are insured elsewhere as they may offer this service too.


We do understand that it will not be possible for all 12/4 members to attend the main rally and we are, therefore, encouraging local gatherings throughout the year to celebrate the significance of this centenary event.

Wherever you meet and however you choose to commemorate this great day for the Austin 12, photographs would be appreciated as we intend to produce a book that features all 12/4 models from 1922 to 1939. For example, given the Scotland significance a group of Twelves in the vicinity of Kelvin Hall could possibly make a great frontispiece. Please send photographs, preferably as a JPEG and by email, to Mike Eggenton (m.eggenton@btopenworld.com). If you do not have this facility available, they can be posted to Mike at 42 New Road, Firbeck, South Yorkshire, S81 8JY. He can scan them but the quality of the finished image may not be as good.



Route from the North
Friday 10 June
TANKERSLEY HOTEL
Church Lane. Tankersley. Barnsley S75 3DQ
Single room £105 B+B. Double room £115 B+B
Arriving in the afternoon. A celebratory evening meal, cost £32 per person, is to take place, allowing an opportunity for all to meet before the morning’s run. We have been allocated a room for our own use. Dress smart casual.
Book directly with Tankersley Hotel. Quote VAR for the special rate.

Saturday 11 June
Visit Earl Fitzwilliam’s Wentworth Woodhouse estate where Herbert Austin spent his childhood (he was educated at the local village school and at Rotherham Grammar School). Travel to Quorn Country Hotel; for details of the run contact David Rock-Evans (david.rockevans@gmail.com or telephone 07557-378483 ) .
A detailed route book will be provided for each entrant


Route From the South
Arriving Saturday 11 June
Starting at Little Missenden, Buckinghamshire, the birthplace of Herbert Austin in November 1866, and travelling to the Quorn Country Hotel. Contact for details of the run is Tony Mealing (01494-533675 or austin124@btinternet.com)
DHutch
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Re: 100 Years of the Austin Heavy 12/4 Celebrations in 2022

Post by DHutch »

Great work, or first child is due literally tomorrow, however pending our how world turns upside down, we will be attending with car if practicable.

As you say, they enjoy a good run and are remarkable dependable.


Daniel and Lowri
DHutch
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Joined: Sun Jan 10, 2021 1:24 pm
Location: Wirral (North West, England)
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Re: 100 Years of the Austin Heavy 12/4 Celebrations in 2022

Post by DHutch »

Looking forward to this, booked in and ready to go!

Anyone else coming over from the North West / Merseyside area?
Stuart
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Joined: Mon Apr 23, 2018 9:12 pm

Re: 100 Years of the Austin Heavy 12/4 Celebrations in 2022

Post by Stuart »

What an excellent event. So glad I took the trouble to dig DF4486 out of the garage and take the old girl for a spin... Spoke with so many people, exchanged plenty of numbers, took copious photographs, made notes, recognised parts, the list goes on.

As I had to explain to virtually everybody I spoke to, I could take no credit for any of the work completed on the car so far (I did paint the fan though!). That was all down to my father nearly 20 years ago. He passed away suddenly, hadn't labeled anything, now it's my turn to sort it all out and that I will. First task is to identify all the parts taken off the car and put on shelves, in boxes, down the shed, and see where they go on the car. Then start work on getting the engine running, I have no idea of its condition.

All good fun.

Stuart

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