Lovers of motoring history, especially when imparted in such a charming manner, will adore this little hardback book. In a mere 112pp, it tells an Austin fan's most engaging shirt stories about products emerging from the lines at Longbridge, Birmingham, the sometime home to the British car brand once owned by Herbert Austin. In a timeline that covers the origins of the company in 1905, up to the end of the Greta War and a little bit beyond, the tales of local murder, the bi plane compact enough to park in a domestic garage, the Austin Twelve that lapped Australia in 1926 and just what did happen to pensioned off taxi cabs are covered in cheery details, complete with humorous recollections and intriguing conclusions. It exceptionally well written and accompanied by a wealth of monochrome plates and period illustrations. It is not intended to be a history book, although much of its content is historically relevant. There is as much local detail, as international intrigue and it is not a model by model encyclopaedia of Austin but it does provide a valuable insight to the British firm's enterprise at an early stage of its existence. It is one of those books that is as easy to put aside, as it is to pick up and read, but you will come back to it, because of its sheer readability. - Iain P W Robertson. As a reader I have an interest in Pre War cars and owning an Austin Seven, Austin is of particular interest. James; new book is a well written selection of some of the less known history surrounding Austin, some of the history I was aware of, but the book cleared up some of the detail for me. The book not only covers the automotive side of Austin but also covers some of the side history around the people and other forms of their production such as planes. The book features a number of photos which have not been seen for some time and help to bring the history alive, along with the authors notes which as a reader I found informative and in some cases amusing. Well worth reading for anyone interested in Austin or Pre War Cars. - Dorset Austin 7 Club Magazine. James Stringer's little book is packed with tales documenting those early days if Austin history and is bound to provide enjoyable reading for those with a penchant for an altogether more leisurely era of motoring. - Speedscene.
