Auscar / Bateup (Australia) - AllCarIndex

Australian Car Syndicate was established in 1939 in Adelaide, South Australia, by motor trade figure George Bateup. The company aimed to produce a medium-sized car that would cater to the local market. In early 1939, Bateup unveiled a prototype that was entirely built in South Australia. This prototype featured a 15 horsepower, 4-cylinder, overhead cam engine with a displacement of 2200cc, mounted on a chassis with a wheelbase of 2640mm.

The unveiling of the prototype was marked by a ceremony attended by the Premier of South Australia, Mr. Playford, who praised the local industry for its capabilities. There was optimism surrounding the vehicle, with expectations that it would be priced competitively enough to serve as a "people's car." However, the onset of World War II halted any further development or production, preventing the promise of the vehicle from being realized.