Austin A30

curtis

Jedi Trainee

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• Oct 29, 2005

• #1

Just finishing an engine rebuild so it seemed a good moment to post a pic of My A30. I have had it over 25 years and this is the first major work.A big end bearing gave up so have had the crank reground and the block rebored.
Recently put on an unleaded cylinder head.
Anyone else have an A30 or A35??

Curtis

 

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Steve

Moderator

Staff member

Platinum

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• Oct 29, 2005

• #2

I always had a soft spot for those little cars when I was younger, never had one though. Great little cars, they make better racers than you'd think! Looks like this one started life in Birmingham.

 

Sherlock

Yoda

Offline

• Oct 29, 2005

• #3

I don't personally, there are some members of the British Saloon Car Club of Canada who do... One of the active Toronto members has a very nice A35.

Hmmm... I don't seem to have posted a picture of his car to Flickr yet... Anyway here's one that used to grace a front yard here in Calgary for many years (gone now as of a few months ago)

 

gsalt57tr3

Jedi Warrior

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• Oct 29, 2005

• #4

Curtis -

What is that parked behind your A30?

Looks like a Singer maybe?

 

OP

curtis

Jedi Trainee

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• Oct 30, 2005

• #5

In fact , Steve, its a Southampton registration. I assume that is what you were basing your Birmingham comment upon?

gsalt Just behind is my Wolseley 1500 (1958). Prepared for and used in historic rallyes.The motor has a Riley 1.5 head and twin carbs,a fast road cam and a bit of negative camber at the front. It's lots of fun. Pic attached.
Curtis

 

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gsalt57tr3

Jedi Warrior

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• Oct 30, 2005

• #6

My brother once owned a 1956 Sunbeam Rapier. He rebuilt the car using Hillman rear end, and parts from a Singer engine. This was back about 1966.

Would love to have that car. Funny thing, years later, after marrying my wife, found out that My father-in-law had also owned a '56 Rapier.

 

X

XK4

Jedi Hopeful

Offline

• Nov 2, 2005

• #7

This last Sunday, I went to a local MG clubs parking lot show. All British cars were welcome and as I walked around, I think one of my favorate cars which were there was a little Austin.
It looked to be in better shape than when it was new.

 

tony barnhill

Great Pumpkin - R.I.P

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• Nov 2, 2005

• #8

I know of a restorable Austin Cambridge in a salvage yard in Vernon, AL

 

OP

curtis

Jedi Trainee

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• Nov 3, 2005

• #9

Excellent pic of the Austin,BUT IMHO it is too flashy and non original.For me the beauty of the car is its simplicity.
Curtis

 

X

XK4

Jedi Hopeful

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• Nov 3, 2005

• #10

Thanks for the compliment on the photo.
If that was too flashy I'm sure this will also join the ranks but if someone were to offer this Morgan to me for a few bucks, I think I'd take it even if it is not British Racing Green. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

T

ThomP

Jedi Warrior

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• Nov 4, 2005

• #11

Here's my A30 Countryman...

The ridgeback is optional. She really likes the back. Don't know why, but given the choise, she'll sleep there.

 

Bruce Bowker

Obi Wan

Offline

• Nov 4, 2005

• #12

[ QUOTE ]
If that was too flashy I'm sure this will also join the ranks...

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't find the Morgan flashy at all. Just one beautiful car.

Bruce

 

Bruce Bowker

Obi Wan

Offline

• Nov 4, 2005

• #13

[ QUOTE ]
Excellent pic of the Austin,BUT IMHO it is too flashy and non original.For me the beauty of the car is its simplicity.
Curtis

[/ QUOTE ]

Is it the paint scheme/color that is non original?

Bruce

 

OP

curtis

Jedi Trainee

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• Nov 5, 2005

• #14

ThomP Now that is just great,your A30. Bravo. And quite rare as,if it is an export model they only made 2063.

Bruce, my comment about the A35 being too flashy for me was the fact that the paint is non original and duo tone.The white wall tyres don't look right IMHO and on an A35 the centre of the radiator grille should be the same colour as the car and not chrome. To be a complete pedant the starter handle should be black! But,each to their own.

ThomP tell us some more about your Countryman please.How about another view from the front?
Attached is another pic of my A30. the only "extra" on it are the little shades on the headlamps which were a period accessory.The photo was taken on the only competitive rallye I ever did in it;the interior shows the watches and retrotrip temporarily fitted for the event.

Curtis

 

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T

ThomP

Jedi Warrior

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• Nov 5, 2005

• #15

My Countryman, is genuine; not a converted van. It is, indeed an export model. It spent the first 47 years of its life in Wellington, New Zealand. I love the irony of it now living in Wellington, Florida. It is also rare because it was bodied at the Ford factory, Birggs Bodies in Dagham, making it one of 13 or so known to exist. The numbers on the vehicle match the Heritage certificate.

I found it on ebay. The man selling claimed it had no rust. I drove 6 hours to prove him wrong. The car is a testamonial to "rust free New Zealand cars" legend. It had no rust and it had been well maintained, so I boutgh it!

Here's a picture of the front. It is next to a friends A40 Van.

 

OP

curtis

Jedi Trainee

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• Nov 5, 2005

• #16

Even better,it looks really great, what a find!
Curtis

 

Bruce Bowker

Obi Wan

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• Nov 5, 2005

• #17

Great looking vehicles.

Bruce

 

aeronca65t

Great Pumpkin

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• Nov 6, 2005

• #18

Wow!
What lovely cars!
When I see these old Austins, it makes me extremley nostalgic for my old A-40 (seen oversteering through a turn below). My first car.
I bought it for $20 in 1966 (when I was 15).
No license or insurance: my parents let me drive it in the woods (NJ Pine Barrens) to "keep me out of trouble"...
After it snapped a rod, we pulled the piston and remains of the rod out, sealed that rod journal with a hose clamp, loosened the two valves on that cylinder....and drove it for another 6 months! ahh those were the good old days!
That mangled A-40 rod is still a paper-weight on my desk.

Note: Aside from my Spridget racer, I'm presently building an Austin Ulster replica, so I've not "strayed" too far.

I'll assume you folks have looked at "Austinworks":
https://www.austinworks.com/

 

Bruce Bowker

Obi Wan

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• Nov 6, 2005

• #19

Any pictures of the Ulster?

Bruce

 

aeronca65t

Great Pumpkin

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• Nov 6, 2005

• #20

[ QUOTE ]
Any pictures of the Ulster?

Bruce

[/ QUOTE ]
Right now, it's just a rolling frame with the engine and trans mounted and a few pieces of the body superstructure. I don't have any recent photos, but here's one taken when it was without engine/trans. The car is not intended to be an exact replica....more like some of the Austin Seven Ulster "specials" that were built in the late 20s. Running gear and power train are 1275 Sprite, so it's more of a "quasi" Ulster.