AUSTIN K SERIES

PAGE TWO

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This page shows the different civilian types of K series vehicles. However, I need a photo of the first K type produced in the late 1930's and one of a K7. I have been informed that the K7 is very similar to the K9 and people have been known to mistake them, this information came from a former driver of a K7 which was operated in Saigon by the British Medical Team in the late 1960's.

Quorn station on the Great Central Railway (Leicestershire) is the setting for this photo of my K4 along with the K2 belonging to the Leicester Museum of Technology formerly owned by Leicester Brewers, Hoskins. This vehicle can normally be seen at the Abbey Lane Pumping Station, Leicester. (the national space centre has been built next door to the Museum).

These photos are of the Series 1 K2. On the left is a K2 towing vehicle built in 1941 as a WW2 fire tender and has been owned by Messrs Beard and Corah since 1970. John Corah and Brian Beard are members of the Historic Transport Club committee and it was on their annual Devon Coastal Run that this photo was taken at Bovey Tracey. The next vehicle is a 1949 K2 Parcels van owned by Ron Miller and has been restored in the livery of Carter Paterson and Pickfords. The difference between the earlier and later model can clearly be seen, also owned by Ron is this LMS liveried K2 pictured at Aylesbury 2006.

The photo below is of a series 2 K2 and was taken at the 2005 Heartlink Rally and was at that time green and is owned by Melton Mowbray haulage contractor Brian Gibbons.

Here is the same lorry pictured at Elvaston Castle on July 5^th 2009 in it’s new white livery, and has been painted this colour to match Brian’s classic caravan.

Taken at a Lincoln Show this photo shows a K4 fire engine version fitted with a Merryweather 60' turntable ladder built in 1943. The earlier type of front can clearly be seen. This vehicle is at the present being restored again and new photos have been promised on completion.

An unusual grey version is shown here and it was photographed at the Austin centenary event in 2005. (It was originally built in 1944.)

Shown here are three versions of the K4 5ton Series 1 model. On the left is a dropside version fitted with an extra petrol tank and larger mirrors, middle is a petrol tanker version built in 1949, whilst on the right is another petrol tanker version built in 1950. All three are fitted with the 4.0ltr engine.

This next shot was sent to me from Australia and shows a K4 carrying a very unusual K2 fitted with a mobile crane.

This is a 1950 CXB coach which is based on the Series 1, K4 chassis. I am indebted to Peter Rigarlsford for allowing me to use this photo. The coach is now owned by a Belgian company.

Based on a Series 1 K4 chassis this coach was pictured at St. Mary's, Isle of Scilly and is employed on tours around the area. I am told it was built in 1948. My thanks to John for this photo.

Pictured here is a K8 version which is known as the Threeway Van. There is a link to the Threeway Club on my links page. Thanks to the club for allowing me to use this photo. I understand that this vehicle has changed owners since this photo was taken.

This recovery version of the K8 is owned by the Bashlett Bros from Guernsey and was driven over by them for the Austin Centenary Event in 2005.

Pictured at the halfway stop on the Bournemouth to Bath run in 2001 is a 1952 coach version of the K8. The chassis was stretched to allow the Plaxton Venturer body to be 'shrunk' on to it creating a luxury mini coach!

A 1950 K2 series 2 2ton dropside truck is shown here and is to be found in Australia. Many thanks to all of you in Australia for sending me photo's of different Austins which you keep finding.

And finally for this page this picture is of a 1955 K4 Series 2, 5 ton chassis fitted with a G. C. Smith horsebox body. The present owner has restored it in this way as it was the very first type of lorry he drove in revenue earning service. It is also nice to see the Smith body restored so nicely as G. C. Smith no longer exist in Long Whatton (Leicestershire), having ceased trading there a few years ago (the factory site is now a luxury housing estate). The company have now started building horse boxes again and are now based at Penistone near Sheffield.

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