1939 Austin 8 AP Tourer

Bidding starts 12 Dec 2025
Auction ends 20 Dec 2025
Reserve applicable Bidding day & times Viewing day available
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A wonderfully charming and authentic Austin 8 Tourer, originally built on a civilian chassis with a military body. Beautifully maintained and mechanically sound, this delightful open tourer combines history, elegance, and pure driving pleasure. Perfect for sunny drives in the country side and commemorative events.

Location
Ambt Delden, The Netherlands
Year of construction
1939
Country of origin
United Kingdom
Manufacturer
Austin
Type
8 AP Tourer
Condition
In mint condition/ Good running order
Margin Goods
Yes margin goods; No VAT applicable

Details

Condition

This Austin 8 AP Tourer has enjoyed a well-documented and carefully maintained history over the past decade.

Originally sold at auction in England in 2013, the car was later acquired by a new owner in France in 2018, where it was brought back from civilian to military specification. During this transformation, several original military parts were sourced and fitted to ensure authenticity. To emphasize the vehicle’s originality, the current owner notes that upon purchasing the car, he discovered three small holes on the dashboard, to the right of the driver’s position. Based on extensive knowledge of blackout lighting systems used on British and Canadian military vehicles, it seems highly plausible that these holes once accommodated a blackout switch, as their position corresponds with known wartime configurations.

Note from the owner:

  • It is not excluded that the Austin features a civilian chassis with registration number, combined with an original military body.

  • There has been some discussion regarding the type of wheels fitted to the Austin Tourer. Civilian versions were equipped with open wheels featuring visible cut-outs, while the military versions typically had solid wheels. However, an original wartime photograph clearly shows an Austin Tourer with open wheels in German captive service (see history section). From this, it could be concluded that as early as 1940, certain military Tourers left the factory equipped with open wheels.

The gearbox was inspected, and new king pins and bushes were installed.

In 2019, the Austin proudly took part in the 75th Anniversary of the Normandy Landings, participating in the commemorative events in France. Later that same year, it was sold to the Netherlands, where it has been cherished and further improved.

In 2021, the current owner purchased the vehicle and invested in a series of thoughtful restorations:
the braking system was completely renewed, the electrics were rewired, and the exhaust system replaced.

By 2023, the car showed no oil consumption and no leaks, a testament to its excellent mechanical condition. The interior is in superb condition, and the car drives exceptionally well; a delightful, smooth, and reliable example of this rare tourer.

Numerous original WWII photographs show that, after Dunkirk, many captured Austin Tourers were requisitioned and put into active service by the German forces. Throughout the war, these vehicles were widely used in occupied territories for liaison and staff duties.
For collectors, this offers a fascinating opportunity: an authentic vehicle type once used by the Wehrmacht, allowing enthusiasts to enter the German WWII reenactment scene at a relatively modest investment.

Technical details

Manufacturer
Austin
Model
AP Tourer
Manufacturing date
29 August 1939
Chassis number
AP 010897
Engine number
1A 43243
Length
12 ft 4,8 in (3,78 m)
Width
4 ft 8 in (1,42)
Height (top up)
5 ft 1 in (1,55 m)
Weight
1.686 lb (765 kg)
Max. speed (land)
59 mph (95 km/u)
Engine
900 cc 4-cylinder side-valve, 24 HP
Crew
1 driver + 3 passengers
Production numbers
approx. 9000
Height (top down)
4 ft 2 in (1,27 m)
Road registration
Yes (Dutch)

History

Historical Background
At the outbreak of the Second World War, the British Army faced a severe shortage of military vehicles. To fill the gap, thousands of civilian and commercial vehicles were “impressed” into service. In fact, during the first year of the war, there were more converted civilian vehicles in use than purpose-built military ones.

In this early phase, car manufacturers quickly adapted their civilian models for military duty. Among the best-known were the “light utilities” from Austin, Hillman, Morris, and Standard. The Austin 8 Tourer was one of the earliest examples of such conversions, a civilian design only lightly modified for military use.

From Austin Seven to Austin Eight
The Austin Seven, already a familiar sight in army use throughout the 1930s, was the inspiration for its successor. In February 1939, Lord Herbert Austin and his new works manager, Leonard Lord (formerly of Morris), launched the Austin Eight, aiming to modernize the company’s image and expand its market presence.

The Eight was offered as a two- or four-door saloon, a light van, and an open tourer. Interestingly, when the model was introduced at the Berlin Motor Show on 17 February 1939, no car was on display; prompting Adolf Hitler, whose first car had reportedly been an Austin Seven, to ask, “What have you done with the Seven?” A week later, on 24 February, three Austin Eights were officially unveiled.

Wartime Production and Service
The Austin 8AP Tourer was produced in both two- and four-seat versions. The first military order came in April 1939, and by September that year, the War Department had issued a full production contract (V3621) for 2,800 units. Several follow-up contracts brought total production to around 9,500 vehicles before manufacturing ceased in mid-1940, shortly before the Battle of Britain.

The Tourers were primarily used for light communication and liaison duties, supplied to the Royal Army Service Corps (RASC) and the Royal Army Ordnance Corps (RAOC). Many were driven from the Longbridge factory to army depots by members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), young women who formed the backbone of Britain’s wartime logistics. Within the army, these small but reliable cars were affectionately (and sometimes mockingly) nicknamed “fleas.”

Later in the war, as newer vehicles arrived, many Austin Eights found their way to the Home Guard, who made good use of them for local patrols and training.

In Service and Beyond
Photographic evidence shows that Austin 8 Tourers also served overseas — notably in North Africa and Malta, often painted in distinctive desert camouflage. Curiously, some of the best-known surviving images show the Tourer in captured German use, likely taken during or after the Dunkirk evacuation in France and Belgium.

Rugged, charming, and full of history, the Austin 8AP Tourer remains a wonderful reminder of the improvisation and ingenuity that defined the early years of Britain’s wartime vehicle production.

LOT NUMBER

  • Each lot is assigned a specific lot number. This number is allocated one day before the lots are opened for bidding.

VIEWING DAYS

  • Inspections during viewing days are on: Saturday December 13, 2025.

  • Participation in the viewing days is subject to specific conditions.

  • Given the fact that these are often very special items whose condition, no matter how hard we try, cannot always be described 100% completely, we really recommend that you make use of this.

IMPORTANT DATES

  • Auction catalogue online: October 21st 2025 19.00 (CET)

  • Bidding starts: Saturday December 12, 2025 18.00 (CET)

  • Bidding ends: Saturday December 20, 2025 19.00 (CET)

TIMES

  • Amsterdam NL (CET): 07:00 PM (19:00)

  • London: 08:00 PM (18:00)

  • New York USA: 13:00 AM (13:00)

  • Sydney AUS: 05:00 AM (05:00),next day

BUYER’S PREMIUM

  • On all lots a buyer’s premium of 16,5% of the hammer price is charged. Over this buyer’s premium a 21% sales tax (VAT) will be applicable.

VEHICLES & VEHICLE RELATED EQUIPMENT

  • This lot is sold strictly as described in the auction listing on our website (https://tracksandtrade.com/).

  • Cars, motorcycles, trucks, cannons or howitzers, armored vehicles, and tanks are sold in as-is/where-is condition, with no technical guarantee and guarantee of authenticity and with or without registration.

ARMS & WEAPONS

  • The Auction House will not supply ANY item unless the correct paperwork and licensing – if needed – has been supplied by the Buyer in full.

  • If required and applicable (fire)arms can be made inoperable or permanently disabled by BAIV in The Netherlands as being a licensed Arms & Weapons Dealer Registration Nr. NL20191618779. In this case all relevant cost will be charged to the Buyer in addition and have to be paid in advance in full. Collection by appointment only.

    Deactivated weapons (EU regulation)
    A deactivated weapon is a genuine firearm that has been modified so it can no longer discharge any bullet, missile, or other projectile.

    Legal basis
    All deactivated weapons offered in this auction are deactivated/neutralized in accordance with EU Regulation 2015/2403, as incorporated into Dutch law on 13 May 2016.

    Delivery within the EU (European buyers)
    To ship a deactivated firearm we must verify that you are at least 18 years old.
    Please provide a copy of a valid identity document (ID card, passport or driver’s license).
    Once we have received and checked this document, we can send the deactivated weapon and its certificate at the buyer’s expense.

    Important note
    No lot will be delivered or shipped without the presentation of the documents mentioned above.
    The buyer is responsible for their purchase once the lot is awarded and will pay at least the related costs.


    Delivery outside the EU (non‑European buyers)
    If you are a non‑EU resident intending to purchase an EU deactivated weapon, it is your responsibility to confirm whether ownership is permitted under the laws of your country.
    You may need to provide a valid firearm license before we can ship your purchased deactivated weapon, as we comply with Dutch export regulations for (deactivated) weapons.
    Any additional actions required and associated costs in such a transaction will be charged to the buyer.

MARGIN/ VAT

  • However, for most of the lots 21% sales tax (VAT) over the hammer price will be not applicable, it might be that in some specific cases sales tax (VAT) over the hammer price will be charged. In such a case this will be specifically specified in the lot description. For all other lots the margin scheme will be applicable. For more info see our General Conditions of Sale Article 9 on our website; www.tracksandtrade.com

IMPORT & EXPORT

  • Depending on the destination and content of the Lot the Buyer shall obtain an International Import Certificate / End User Certificate. Some of the items listed in the auction may require special licenses or permits or existing documents must be prepared for export. If this is relevant, Tracks & Trade will take care of this. The applicable costs will be charged to the successful bidder. Please email accounting@tracksandtrade.com if you have any questions or concerns. No item will be allowed to be collected without 100% of all legal requirements being fulfilled.

COLLECTION

  • Specific address details will be provided upon request and to the successful bidder/ Buyer.

  • Delivery: Ex Works.

LOT REMOVAL DEADLINE

  • All lots must be collected no later than Friday, February 7, 2025, and only after full payment has been received and all legal requirements have been met.

  • No storage fees will be charged prior to this date. After this period, storage fees will apply.

  • For buyers from the United States or other distant destinations, tailored arrangements can be made upon request.

SHIPPING & HANDLINGS COSTS

  • All shipping, packaging, and any special handling expenses (e.g., crane hire or specialized equipment) are the sole responsibility of the Buyer and will be invoiced at actual cost plus a 10% handling fee.

LATE PICK-UP & STORAGE FEES

  • Any lot not collected by Saturday, February 7, 2025, will be placed in secure storage at the Buyer’s expense, with the following weekly storage rates applied (excluding 21% VAT):

  • Parts & accessories: €25 per lot per week

  • Cars and motorcycles: €50 per lot per week

  • Armored vehicles, tanks, cannons, etc.: €75 per lot per week

Need Assistance?
Please feel free to contact us for support or questions:
Phone: +31 6 518 22 502
Email: info@tracksandtrade.com
We are here to guide you through every step of the process and will do our utmost to assist you.

DELIVERY

  • The buyer is responsible for the transportation of the purchased goods, unless otherwise agreed. Tracks & Trade can assist with or arrange transportation at additional cost. Please contact us for more information.

  • Shipping, and packing costs and special costs that arise for loading special items, such as crane costs or costs for hiring special equipment etc., will be charged to the Buyer on the basis of actual costs + a surcharge of 10%. Naturally, you can count on us when it comes to the shipment of your purchases. We are happy to take care of that.

GENERAL CONDITIONS

  • All information and transactions are subject to the general terms and conditions (Version 2.0 dated 29-04-2022). For more detailed information visit our website.

NOTE

  • By placing a bid, whether successful or not, the bidder agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions as set forth on this website (www.tracksandtrade.com) and in the applicable general terms and conditions. It is the bidder’s responsibility to review and familiarize themselves with all such terms prior to placing a bid.

Shipping information

After buying a classic military vehicle or other items such as cannons, planes, howitzers and tanks, there are several steps you would typically need to take:

  • Legalities

    In principle, no special permit is required for unarmored wheeled and tracked vehicles. In many cases, an export procedure that is comparable to that for exporting classic cars and motorcycles is sufficient. Military collectables older than 75 years and with a value over Euro 50k are considered as National Heritage. In such cases an export permit must be requested from the National Ministry of Culture of the exporting country. Tanks, howitzers and self-propelled or towed cannons often require specific permits that are highly dependent on the country of shipment and the country of destination. This may involve registering the item with the appropriate authorities and complying with any regulations regarding its ownership and use. In such a case it is advisable to contact us in advance because we have many decades of experience in the import and export of Classic Military Heritage. Based on this experience, we can generally quickly provide feedback on what applies to you. This is especially relevant because regulations in this regard change every now and then and sometimes, we also have to deal with export-restrictions. In short: if you want to be sure, contact us in time to avoid difficulties at a later stage.

  • Storage
    Find a suitable storage location for your collectable, preferably a secure and legal place where you can keep it when not in use. This could be a garage, warehouse, or even a specially designed storage facility or museum.

  • Transportation
    After you have all the paperwork in place the next step will be the (oversees) transport to your desired location. This may involve hiring specialized transport and broker services due to permits, size and weight. In this case we can also support you with organizing the transport or make sure you get in contact with dedicated brokers and import agents.

  • Maintenance and Restoration

    Depending on the condition of your military collectable, our partner BAIV can help you with maintenance and restoration work to ensure that it is safe and operational. This could involve relatively easy maintenance and repair or service till a Class-A restoration. In such a case please contact BAIV (info@baiv.nl).

  • Training
    If you intend to operate a vehicle then make sure you have manuals that describe how to operate the vehicle. Nowadays there are numerous reprints available on the Internet that explain to you in a playful way how to drive and operate your vehicle. This is often a team effort, which makes owning such a vehicle extra attractive. If required, you can also involve/hiring a professional instructor or attend specialized training courses to learn how to drive and maintain it safely. In such a case, our partner BAIV (www.baiv.nl) can also support you

  • Insurance
    Consider obtaining insurance coverage for your vehicle to protect yourself against any potential accidents or liabilities that may arise from owning and operating it. Often there are specialized insurance companies offering these kinds of services. Local military vehicle clubs often also know their way around the specific options offered by insurance companies.

  • Enjoyment
    Finally, once everything is in place, you can enjoy owning and, if permitted, operating your classic military vehicle, cannon or howitzer. Whether it's for display purposes or for participating in historical reenactments, owning such a great unit can be a unique and rewarding experience.

Feel free to get in touch

Ivo Rigter Sr.

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