15-02-2018, 11:57 AM
(This post was last modified: 15-02-2018, 11:58 AM by Mike Costigan.)
My understanding is that the Austin Motor Co commissioned Gordon England and Mulliner bodies (hence their appearance in the Austin brochures), which were then sold through the Austin Dealer network with a full Austin warranty. Presumably these chassis were not invoiced out to the respective coachbuilders, and were therefore fitted with the 'ownership' plates to ensure that they were identified as Austin property in case the coachbuilder went out of business. The G E Brooklands was rather different, since they also received chassis modifications by Gordon England, and these were probably sold independently of the Austin sales network.
Most small scale coachbuilders would buy their chassis at trade price - cash with order/delivery probably - and therefore became the coachbuilder's property and did not have the 'ownership' plates fitted.
William Lyons seems to have been unique in ordering in bulk and building up his own dealership network - no doubt he already had big ambitions!
Most small scale coachbuilders would buy their chassis at trade price - cash with order/delivery probably - and therefore became the coachbuilder's property and did not have the 'ownership' plates fitted.
William Lyons seems to have been unique in ordering in bulk and building up his own dealership network - no doubt he already had big ambitions!