Emma and the Prince of Wales

Emma the Austin always was destined for great things. 18hp, 2 door coupe, she was built for the Prince of Wales in 1934 and was shipped to New Zealand for the 1935 Royal Visit. Alas, their meeting was not in the stars because, as history will remind us, the Royal Visit was cancelled due to the death of King George V. The Prince of Wales, Edward went on to become King Edward VIII then later abdicated to marry his beloved Wallace Simpson after ruling for less than one year – quite the scandal.
Emma remained in the Wellington Bond stores for many years until permission was given to sell her. The first owner was a doctor. And then in 1993 the current owners the Hayes Family purchased a total wreck from a paddock just outside of Christchurch New Zealand.
The car still bears the original English number plates BMC 307 as registered in North London in 1934 and continues to have the same registration here in Queensland today.
It is believed that it is the only surviving aluminium hand crafted model of 14 coupes bult by Salmon & Sons with a Tickford hood in Newport, Pagnell in the United Kingdom.
Some of the many special features include the infinitely variable speed Hayes (no relation to the current owners) transmission, full cruise control and a built in hydraulic jacking system. The Hayes System was a simplification, not a complication of the transmission.
It dispenses with all gears (except to give reverse) and all clutch operations (except when starting and stopping). There is no noise; the drive is practically silent. Sadly the public did not take to it, even though the Press and people who owned one, spoke highly of them. Only about fifty were sold. (An outline of the Hayes system is outlined on the next page.)
Emma was totally rebuilt in 1995/96 by Bob and Andree Hayes from Christchurch and won restoration of the year in 1997. She then had another refurbishment by Bob and Steve in 2018.
Emma now resides in Brisbane with Steve and Jenny Hayes. She is well travelled and has visited the Barossa in South Australia and Orange New South Wales.
Over the years Emma has won many accolades, her most recent the Patricia Gamlen Trophy for most elegant Post Vintage Thoroughbred in the Vintage Car Clubs show at the Sherwood Abortorium.
While Emma doesn’t live with royalty, she certainly behaves like it attracting attention wherever she goes.

With thanks to Steve Hayes and the Hayes Family
Additional information in this story are from AustinMemories.com