Austin’s K2 will be well-known to many, but not least those with an interest in WW2-era vehicles as the lorry played an important role in Britain’s war effort and saw military service all over the world.
The new model had been launched in inauspicious circumstances. With war clouds looming on the horizon, Austin was ordered by the government to increase lorry production to meet the expected demand. Experience during WW1 had already shown that lorries would have a crucial part to play in supply and logistics. There would also be an ancillary role for emergency service vehicles, like ambulances and fire appliances.
The K2 was introduced in January 1939 as a two-axle, normal control lorry. Built at Longbridge, the initial line-up was two models, the K2 and K3. These lorries had a respective capacity of 2 and 3 tons. A 1.5-ton pick-up designated the K30 was added to the range, and the 4/5-ton K4 was introduced in 1941.
All the vehicles featured a six-cylinder 3460cc OHV petrol engine. This was a 60bhp unit, with a bore of 3.35 inch and 4in stroke. Other equipment included a four-speed transmission, a single dry plate clutch, Lockheedand K4, which were fitted with eight studs.
