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After over 80 years of patiently waiting, these COVMO pistons for an Austin Light 12/4 are finally going to get their chance to shine! Despite sitting on warehouse shelves from before the Second World War they were not forgotten and will fulfil their destiny to keep another vintage car on the road.

Still in their original box and handsome wrappings they look great – it’s almost a shame to hide them inside an engine. The +30 oversize pistons with rings will give another lease of life to a 1930s Austin.

Nobody could say selling classic engine parts is about making a quick profit!

Original oversize pistons for Austin 12/4 1933-1939

Classic Engine Parts stock a huge range of NOS (New Old Stock) and new re-commissioned spare parts for engines from the 1920s to 1990s. All parts needed to overhaul vintage and classic engines, including pistons, rings, bearings, bushes, valves, guides, springs, seals and gaskets.

If the exact original part is unavailable there is still a good chance Classic Engine Parts can help engine rebuilders. With our detailed database and extensive reference library, alternative parts can be cross-matched by dimensions.

Austin Light 12/4

Austin Light 12/4 vintage car front view

The Austin Light Twelve-Four was produced from 1933 to 1939. It was built to replace the previous 1920s Austin Twelve which became known as the Heavy Twelve by the public. The car used the same chassis as the six-cylinder model introduced in 1930. The new car had a 4-cylinder 1535cc side-valve engine producing 24 bhp. The twelve name referred to the taxation horsepower class rather tan actual power.

Early models had a four-speed “crash” gearbox, but this was soon updated with synchromesh between the gears. The Austin was very conventional underneath with leaf springs and rigid axles. The body evolved a little over the years. There was a 2-seat open tourer (the Eton) and a Saloon with 3 windows on each side (The Harley). The Ascot (pictured) had the addition of a luggage boot.

Austin Light 12/4 vintage car rear view
Austin 12/4 Light late model

Further improvements on later models included moving the engine forward to create more interior space, wipers mounted below the windscreen, larger doors and a more modern, rounded shape. It was replaced in 1939 with a new model also confusingly called the Austin 12.

Photos 1&2 – AlfvanBeem, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Photo 3 – Charles1, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons