Austin Heavy and light

[crankedup]

what is the differences between these two cars from the 1920's era, I have often seen these references in the classifieds

[tvrgaas]

Austin started after the war with a 1 model policy - the 20hp. After near bankrupcy they came out with a 12hp version (RAC horses!) A few years later the 7hp. These were all 4 cyls, so 12/4 in some adverts. About 1930 they started the 16/6 versions. In the 30's they did a new 12hp model, this used press steel stuff (based on the 7hp ruby and 10hp) and was known as the light 12hp. The (London) Taxi was still available based on the old 1920's 12hp chassis design and known as the heavy 12. So most 1920s 12/4 are the heavy and the 1930's the light, but the names were applied retrospectively (like Pre_Cat!)

[crankedup]

Thanks tvrgas for that full answer, now I know at last. It had puzzeled me for ages