Details
1935 AUSTIN 10/4 LITCHFIELD FOUR-DOOR SALOON
AIR RAID WARDEN CAR
Registration No. CNO 871
Chassis No. G69415
Engine No. 6RB 21165
Engine: four-cylinder in-line, cast iron block and detachable cylinder head, 1125cc, bore and stroke 63.5mm x 89mm, side valve, single camshaft, Zenith carburettor, 20bhp at 2600rpm, coil ignition, automatic advance/retard distributor, 12 volt electrics. Transmission: single dry plate clutch, four speed gearbox with synchromesh on 2nd, 3rd and 4th, spiral bevel back axle. Suspension: front and rear, semi-elliptic springs with rubber silentbloc shackles, friction disc shock absorbers. Brakes: four wheel internal expanding drums, handbrake on rear wheels only. Right hand drive.
This four door Austin Litchfield spent the first five years of its life in the hands of an elderly gentleman. In 1940 it was purchased by 'Special Constable' Leonard Barr who was was one of the first air raid wardens in Clacton. Mr Barr who was an electrician by trade and a member of the St Johns Ambulance brigade since the 1920 had started ARP training (Air-Raid-Precautions)in 1938. In 1941 the name Civil Defence was introduced. Mr Barr's house just outside Clacton-on-Sea became the 'Wardens Post' and was known as the A12 ARP district.
Owing to the shortage of Fire Appliances (and many other necessary vehicles during war time) many ordinary cars were adapted and equipped for the role they were required. This was just exactly the case with this vehicle and Mr Barr 'customised' the Litchfield for use by a "Street Fire Party".
This inculded the following features; painting in matt grey livery, fitting a water pump to the front bumper, having special yellow gas detecting paint on the bonnet, black out headlamps and a vast array of fire fighting equipment and accessories. The equipment which is being sold with the car includes, gas masks, gas warning rattles, tin helmets, ladder, dustbin lid (to put out incendary bombs), pitch forks, fire beaters, axes, fire extinguishers, original owners uniform, warning signs and the large wicker basket strapped to the boot.
Following the war from which it emerged unscathed it was last used 'in anger' in the 1950's, during a bout of flooding in Canvey Island. When Mr Barr died in the 1960's his family made very little use of it except for local shows and a brief appearance in the 1978 film Eisenhower. The present owner (a fireman himself and vice-president of the Fire Service Preservation Group) acquired the car in 1988 and has repainted the car and had the engine and gearbox overhauled by the Austin Ten club. It has also been rewired and had a new exhaust fitted. It has been a highly popular attraction at numerous shows including the 'The Royal Tournament' at Earls court in 1990.
AIR RAID WARDEN CAR
Registration No. CNO 871
Chassis No. G69415
Engine No. 6RB 21165
Engine: four-cylinder in-line, cast iron block and detachable cylinder head, 1125cc, bore and stroke 63.5mm x 89mm, side valve, single camshaft, Zenith carburettor, 20bhp at 2600rpm, coil ignition, automatic advance/retard distributor, 12 volt electrics. Transmission: single dry plate clutch, four speed gearbox with synchromesh on 2nd, 3rd and 4th, spiral bevel back axle. Suspension: front and rear, semi-elliptic springs with rubber silentbloc shackles, friction disc shock absorbers. Brakes: four wheel internal expanding drums, handbrake on rear wheels only. Right hand drive.
This four door Austin Litchfield spent the first five years of its life in the hands of an elderly gentleman. In 1940 it was purchased by 'Special Constable' Leonard Barr who was was one of the first air raid wardens in Clacton. Mr Barr who was an electrician by trade and a member of the St Johns Ambulance brigade since the 1920 had started ARP training (Air-Raid-Precautions)in 1938. In 1941 the name Civil Defence was introduced. Mr Barr's house just outside Clacton-on-Sea became the 'Wardens Post' and was known as the A12 ARP district.
Owing to the shortage of Fire Appliances (and many other necessary vehicles during war time) many ordinary cars were adapted and equipped for the role they were required. This was just exactly the case with this vehicle and Mr Barr 'customised' the Litchfield for use by a "Street Fire Party".
This inculded the following features; painting in matt grey livery, fitting a water pump to the front bumper, having special yellow gas detecting paint on the bonnet, black out headlamps and a vast array of fire fighting equipment and accessories. The equipment which is being sold with the car includes, gas masks, gas warning rattles, tin helmets, ladder, dustbin lid (to put out incendary bombs), pitch forks, fire beaters, axes, fire extinguishers, original owners uniform, warning signs and the large wicker basket strapped to the boot.
Following the war from which it emerged unscathed it was last used 'in anger' in the 1950's, during a bout of flooding in Canvey Island. When Mr Barr died in the 1960's his family made very little use of it except for local shows and a brief appearance in the 1978 film Eisenhower. The present owner (a fireman himself and vice-president of the Fire Service Preservation Group) acquired the car in 1988 and has repainted the car and had the engine and gearbox overhauled by the Austin Ten club. It has also been rewired and had a new exhaust fitted. It has been a highly popular attraction at numerous shows including the 'The Royal Tournament' at Earls court in 1990.