George Brougham Hubert Austin was born in South Yarra, VIC on 28 February 1860 and during his career worked as an architect with the Department of Public Works in Victoria, being responsible for a number of buildings in Melbourne. In 1907 he attended the 1st Aero Exhibition in London and

The Whippet was designed by J W Kenworth, and built in 1919 by the well known British automotive manufacturer, Austin Motors Co Ltd. Powered by a 34-kw (45-hp) Anzani engine, it was aimed at operation by the private owner.