Herbert Austin produced the first car under his own name in 1906 with a 5 litre 25/30 hp engine. The first car to use the famous Austin 7 name was a single-cylinder light car of Swift origin. Many large 30, 40, 50 and 6 hp models were built up to the Great War, but the smaller cars were much more successful.

Austin was in severe difficulties by 1921 and the situation was not helped by the introduction of the Horsepower Tax in that year.  The founder, now Sir Herbert Austin had misjudged the market with his single model policy. (Similar to Henry Fords with the Model T).  He now planned to introduce a 6hp cyclecar but his fellow directors were not keen due the financial condition of the company.  In April 1921 a receiver had been called in to oversee affairs.

1929 Austin Seven Chummy

Austin was so keen to continue with the small car that he threatened to sell the concept to the Wolseley Sheep Shearing Machine Company, where he was still chairman. (He had designed Wolseley's first car in 1895).

Austin worked on the car at his home near Bromsgrove and paid for a draughtsman himself. This was the then 18-year-old Stanley Edge who had joined Longbridge in 1917. In the period between August 1921 and April 1922 they both designed what was to become the Austin Seven. 

Originally intended to be a two-cylinder car similar to the Rover 8hp. Edge argued for a four-cylinder design, and Austin agreed. Edge became responsible for the engine design, while the chassis, running gear & body were Austin's.

Times were better by April 1922 and the board allowed the construction of three prototypes and production was started in July with sales starting the next year.  This The Motor for the Millions was a proper four-seater (Two adults plus three children) and was initially only offered as an open car. 2409 Seven's were built in 1923 and by 1926 production was exceeding the 12 with 13174 being built. 27225 Seven's were built in its best year of 1935.

1938 Austin Ruby

Between the wars a large and varied range of models was produced from 7 to 28 hp. 

By the years of 1933/34 Austin had pulled ahead of Morris to become Britain's top manufacturer.

	During the Second World War some of the pre-war cars were built for the military with a few being made available to private buyers as the end of the war approached.
1937 Austin Cheltenham Six

	After the war ended, the pre-war models were reintroduced until 1947 brought the launch of the A40 Dorset and Devon models. 1951 brought the new Austin Seven, which was marketed as the A30, A35 from 1956. The A30 engine went on to power many other Austin's including the Allegro of the 1970's.
1939 Austin Eight Tourer

In 1952 an agreement was reached with Metropolitan and the American styled Austin Metropolitan (sometimes known as a Nash or a Rambler) was produced using the A40 engine and A30 suspension in either an open or closed body shell. Production continued until 1961.

1950 Austin A70 Hampshire Saloon	1953 Austin A70 Hereford 'Woody'

The fifth Austin Seven was announced in 1959 with a transverse engine, gearbox in the sump and rubber suspension. Thus the Mini, as it was to become known, had arrived. The Mini was produced with many body styles including Countryman, Van, Pick-up, Mini-Moke and sporting Cooper models.
	1955 Austin A90/6

By the 1960's Austin had become part of the giant British Motor Corporation (BMC) and a period of badge engineering followed where the purchaser could choose between an Austin or Morris version of essentially the same model. (The Mini was also available as the Riley Elf, or a Wolseley, each with a larger boot and an appropriate radiator grille.).

1969 brought out the Austin Maxi, a five-door five-speed hatchback using the first new engine from Austin for a long time. The Maxi styling was restricted by the need to use as many existing parts as possible, and the passenger doors were from the earlier 1800.

BMC became part of British Leyland during the 1970's and later Austin-Rover, then Rover before becoming part of the German BMW Company in more recent years.

The Mini, introduced in 1959, has just finished production with the BMW Mini taking over its mantle. This represents a production period of nearly 40 years, The Mini even outlasted its replacement, the Metro (1981-1998) by several years.