Austin K types & CXB & CXD
This page was last updated on 04/12/2011
BYJ 904 the 1952 K8CVC with Plaxton 14 seater coachwork is seen at the 2000 Bedford Gathering event
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K8
Introduced in 1947, the Austin K8 is, despite its designation, the smallest of the K type Austin psv chassis. Based on the 25 cwt three way van, it was a forward control design with a wheelbase of 7ft 9inchs. It could be fitted with either ambulance or passenger coach built body of similar proportions to the van. Powered by the Austin 2.2 litre 4 cylinder petrol engine as fitted in the Atlantic & Hereford cars, the gearbox was a 4 speed crashbox, & brakes Girling hydraulic.
Most K8's carried 12/14 seat bodywork by Kenex, Reading & Tiverton, although at least two (both preserved) were bodied by Plaxton with a 14 seat coach body for Dickson of Dundee, & Scotts Grey of Darlington. These had a beefed up chassis, & wider wheels. Production of the K8 ceased in 1954.
The CXB & K4SL
Introduced in 1947, the CXB (and its later derivative the K4SL) was regarded as Austin's answer to the Bedford OB, in fact they were often referred to as 'The Birmingham Bedford'. Like the OB it was a normal control chassis designed for a 29 seat coach body, the CXB had a wheelbase of 15ft & was fitted initially with an Austin 6 cylinder 3.5 litre ohv petrol engine. A synchromesh four speed gearbox was fitted, (the OB had a crash gearbox), & the brakes were Lockheed hydraulic type. In 1948 the engine was up rated to 4 litres, whilst the remainder of its specification remained unchanged
Turning to the K4SL, this whilst similar to the CXB, had a shorter wheelbase (13ft 11inches) & was based on the 5 ton goods version, although still taking a 29 seat body. Launched as the K4SL in 1948 it was an updated version of the K4 dating back to 1939. Like the CXB, the K4SL was also of normal control layout but had a choice of engines, the Austin 4 litre petrol & the Perkins P6 4.7 litre diesel. The transmission retained the 4 speed synchromesh gearbox & Lockheed hydraulic brakes. The K4SL remained in production until 1950
The K2SL
Basically a shorter version of the K4SL, the K2SL was also introduced in 1948 on a 11ft 2inch, 2 ton lorry chassis. Designed for bodies of up 20 seat capacity, it was only available powered by the 4 litre Austin petrol engine.. The K2SL remained in production until Autumn 1949. The CXD is basically a forward control version of the CXB, introduced in 1948 it retained the 15ft wheelbase, gearbox & braking system of the CXB, it was initially offered with just the Perkins P6 4.7 litre diesel engine. In 1950, like the K4SL, it was offered a choice of both the 4 litre Austin petrol engine or Perkins P6 diesel, & from this date it was classified CXD series 2. Bodies of a maximum capacity of 32 were available with the CXD which continued in production until 1955.
Bodies on K & CX types were available from Jeffries, Mann Egerton, Metalcraft, Plaxton, Reading, Whitson & other smaller concerns.
The CX & K types in preservationThe K8
Five K8's are listed by the PSV Circle in preservation, of which four are known to be restored & roadworthy. These comprise of a Kenex C12F bodied version LVO 530 which was restored from derelict condition by Tony Surbey of Bedfordshire in the 1990's, and MRL 765 a Tiverton C14F bodied example.. The other two are both Plaxton bodied, BYJ 904 currently with an owner in the Netherlands, & RHN 548 new to Scotts Grey of Darlington in 1952, has been maintained in their livery.The K2SL
Only one K2SL is listed by the PSV Circle as preserved, this being PS 1805 a 1949 bus version with rare Federated Industries 20 seat body. It was new to Watt, Renwick & is shown as preserved with a Mr Dudding of Kent it has apparently been stored out of use for a number of years.
Photo Busman's collection
The K4SL
Only two K4SL's are known, LYD 87 (shown right) currently with S.Barfoot of Southampton has a rare Jeffries C29F body & was new to Blackie, Eyemouth, present condition is very poor The second MRL 865 was new to Rowe of Dobwells in 1950 with a Whitson C29F body, & spent many years on the Isles of Scilly. It later went into preservation with Peter Utting of Oulton Broad Norfolk & was at one time stored at the East Anglian Transport Museum at Carlton Coalville. After the death of Mr Utting it was acquired by Nicholas Casburn of Corpusty Norfolk. who has started restoration on MRL 865 which is unusual by having the later Austin Loadstar front wings & bonnet.
The CXB
Moving on to the CXB, eight are thought to survive, but only four are known to be restored & roadworthy. FCO 314 is in the ownership of Supreme Travel in Malta were it is being used on vintage coach tours. VVS 913 a bus version (B33F) operating with Heritage Tours of St Mary's in the Scilly Isles, DES 120 with Bruyninckx of Kapellen, Belgium.( now RZV-257), and also in Belgium KYE 782 with Retro Ceremoniewagens, a wedding hire company based at Aartselaar (now KBZ 007).
In Suffolk, two CXB's are still on the premises of their original owner Norfolk's of Nayland, both Mann Egerton bodied they are in fact forward control versions which technically makes them CXD's. Of the two CCF 574 had restoration work started some years ago by Howard Norfolk, but after he emigrated to Australia nothing further has been done, & the Austin is once again suffering deterioration. The second vehicle APV 128 is in a semi derelict state & was retained as a spares doner for CCF 574.
A few miles down the road at Hadleigh, BCF 802, a bonneted version, is still with its original owners Beeson's, 'dry stored' but needing full restoration. In February 2011 it was sent to Cobus Bridlington for full restoration to class 6 standard
Buying on Austin
With few of any type preserved, & even fewer fully restored, they do not come up for sale often. The larger CXB & K4SL types, although similar in appearance to the Bedford OB do not command such high prices. Guide prices £15000 to £20000 for condition A; £5000 to £10000 condition B; under £1000 condition C.
The K8 would be up to £15000 condition A; £5000 to £8000 condition B; & under £1000 condition C.
(Condition code: A = Fully restored with Mot, B = Unrestored but complete & running but without MoT, & needing some restoration to be made roadworthy. C = Poor condition requiring full restoration.)
BCF 802 still owned by Beeston Coaches. Photo John Wakefield.
The spares situation is unknown by the author, other than via the contacts below
Clubs :
Historic Commercial Vehicle Society http://www.hcvs.co.uk/
The Morris Commercial Club http://www.morriscommercialclub.co.uk/
Austin K Series http://www.aliciadavies.supanet.com/Engine parts:
The Austin Sheerline & Princess Club, 44 Vermeer Cresent, Shoeburyness, Essex. SS3 9TJ Tel: 01702 295385Body repairs :
As per Bedford OBLinks:
Reading :
No known books on Austin PSV types.
(c) John Wakefield 16/4/04 (updated 25/5/11}
If you have any information relating to any of the featured vehicles or know of any other vehicles, waiting to be rediscovered & could be featured on this website, please contact us by using one of the methods below
Telephone John Wakefield on 01223 843802
