The Austin twenty horse power model was introduced soon after the end of the Great War and remained in production until the 1930s, by which time some 19000 models had been manufactured, mainly for chauffeur-driven customers that required their motor cars to be clothed in formal coachwork.

Many examples found their way directly to Australia and New Zealand, and interestingly, while most 20/4s were in Tourer form, only two each of the Drophead Coupe and Sports models were ever produced by specialist coachbuilders.

The chassis of this example was manufactured in 1926 as a ’27 model, completed as a four-seat Tourer and first registered on the 1 st January 1927.

We are told that the motor car was requisitioned during World War II, fitted with extra strength rear road springs and used as an ambulance.

Post war, XL 2299 was rebuilt to its present form by coachbuilders Mulliners, and their name plates remain fitted to the door shuts.

In 1965 and with only 3000 miles covered, a Mr J Greena...