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Richard Verrill
United Kingdom
351 Posts |
Posted - 15/01/2023 : 01:17:05
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Photograph from 1942, I am hoping one of the wise can help identify the make and model of the saloon car, it belonged to my grandfather who is seated to the right. The M.G. PA AJO 300 belonged to Herbert Ellis my father’s best friend at the time.

Richard PA1733 YA5206 |
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DSW
Germany
95 Posts |
Posted - 15/01/2023 : 08:23:52
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Richard, It looks like an Austin 10 Cambrige to me. They upgraded to this "modern" style jut before WW2. Anyway it looks very shiny so would not have been too old or used. David |
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Orstin
United Kingdom
673 Posts |
Posted - 15/01/2023 : 08:43:31
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The caravan is my favourite!!
So many dynamos |
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Ray Masters
United Kingdom
577 Posts |
Posted - 15/01/2023 : 09:51:37
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I agree it is an Austin but it looks too big to be a 10. Could it be a 14 or 16 , assuming they made those sizes . They certainly did in the previous , squarish , models . |
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DickMorbey
United Kingdom
3693 Posts |
Posted - 15/01/2023 : 10:13:33
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Hello Richard. And what a fabulous photograph!
Are you sure about the registration number AJO 300? I cannot tie that up with a recognised car on our register, so it would be lovely to get some more information if you have it, please.
Dick Morbey, Register Secretary and acting treasurer PA-PB 0743 Frieth, Oxon, UK secretary@triple-mregister.org |
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sam christie
United Kingdom
3178 Posts |
Posted - 15/01/2023 : 10:20:50
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Petrol for pleasure motoring in 1942 at the height of the Battle of the Atlantic ? How come?
Have the cars been pushed out of the shed for an airing or is this a scene of essential war work?
Sam |
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Orstin
United Kingdom
673 Posts |
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John James
United Kingdom
1003 Posts |
Posted - 15/01/2023 : 13:00:04
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AJO 300 was (hopefully, still is, somewhere) PA1726 |
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DickMorbey
United Kingdom
3693 Posts |
Posted - 15/01/2023 : 13:55:27
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Thanks John. According to historic and other records. The Reg of that chassis number was AJO 360 - originally a Morris industries exports car, which, as far as we know, went to Australia. Believed to be with one Elliot Burns in New South Wales.
Are these perhaps two different cars?
Dick Morbey, Register Secretary and acting treasurer PA-PB 0743 Frieth, Oxon, UK secretary@triple-mregister.org |
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John James
United Kingdom
1003 Posts |
Posted - 15/01/2023 : 14:36:27
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Dick,
Could be a 'typo', but the '6' is some way away from the '0' on the keyboard.
There should be a chassis file to say one way or the other.
The other 'AJO's are AJO 396 (PA1810) and AJO 978 (PA1866). |
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Ray Masters
United Kingdom
577 Posts |
Posted - 15/01/2023 : 15:05:02
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Thank you Hugh . A very interesting website . The 10 , 12 , and 14. models were all ‘three window ‘ saloons so it is difficult to be sure which model is in the lovely photo . My grandfather had a Hertford saloon which I remember , just , being on blocks in his garage during the war . It had the net holder in the roof and polished occasional tables which pulled down from the backs of the front seats . Sorry guys I know it’s an MG forum but it’s nice to reminisce of other family owned makes occasionally. |
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Simon Johnston
United Kingdom
6560 Posts |
Posted - 15/01/2023 : 16:59:32
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I would suggest that it’s either an Austin 12 or a 14. The photos in the brochure linked to above by Hugh (Orstin) show that the C pillar on the 10 was further back than on the 12 or 14. But the difference between the 12 and the 14 appears to be the longer bonnet of the 14 to accommodate the six-cylinder engine and from the rear three-quarters view it isn’t possible to determine if it’s the longer bonnet of the 14, or not.
Simon J J3437 |
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KevinA
New Zealand
713 Posts |
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DickMorbey
United Kingdom
3693 Posts |
Posted - 15/01/2023 : 18:42:58
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Well done Kevin. I know it was only 7 years ago, but memory......!
Dick Morbey, Register Secretary and acting treasurer PA-PB 0743 Frieth, Oxon, UK secretary@triple-mregister.org |
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Keith Durston
United Kingdom
738 Posts |
Posted - 15/01/2023 : 19:08:22
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I think that the Austin might be a 12-4 Ascot. The split rear window seems the distinguihing difference to other models but I am no expert on Austins! Keith |
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Richard Verrill
United Kingdom
351 Posts |
Posted - 16/01/2023 : 22:44:21
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Many thanks to all, very helpful and yes sorry going off piste.
First I have to correct to 1941, by 1942 father had converted MG 3880 (ex P1815 chassis change) to run on town gas.
Simon’s observation re bonnet length I think confirms Austin 14 by this image from 1939, on the point of leaving High Gosforth Park for Windermere with speedboat “Miss Tyne” built by my father.

The caravan was also built by my father to his design, it was one of his great regrets that the war interrupted his hope to go into production.
I have nothing further to add to the previous about AJO 300 PA1726 other than Herbert became father’s best man in 1944.
Richard PA1733 YA5206 |
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