1956 Austin A30 Station Wagon

Austin founded its success in the 1920s and 1930s on the Baby Seven and launched a post-war replacement, codenamed the A30, at the Earls Court Motor Show held in October 1951. Every part with the exception of the gearbox, was brand new and proved to be landmark design in many years, introducing as it did both unitary construction and an overhead-valve engine to mainstream motoring. Other notable features included Lockheed hydraulic brakes and a 12-volt electrical system. The sturdy little A-series engine displaced just over 800cc and developed 28 bhp at 4800 rpm, driving the rear wheels through a four-speed gearbox with synchro on all but first. With modern, streamlined styling and its compact dimensions, the A30 proved immensely popular in Britain, with 222,823 made by the time the replacement A35 was announced in 1956. Launched in four-door guise, the A30 was also sold as a two-door saloon, estate and van - the Countryman estate car was a neat solution to the need for more carrying space and its quirky styling has made it a popular variant of the Austin A30 family today. The A30 proved popular with racing drivers, with the likes of Jackie Stewart, Graham Hill and even Australia's own hero Peter Brock all cutting their teeth on them, and more and more can be found at historic events like the Goodwood Revival.