Discussion
Good day to all reading this.
(Long post incoming - apologies)
My Mother in law has a 1958 Austin A35. Some of you may know this already or have read elsewhere on the forums.
This car was given to her by her father, a chap called Billy Owen, who served his apprenticeship at the old Austin motor works in Longbridge, that later merged with Morris, Jaguar etc to form British Motor Holdings, that later became part of British Leyland.
When the war effort got more severe towards the end of his apprenticeship he joined the Royal Engineers and was one of many who took part in the D-Day landings. He was one of the lucky ones that somehow managed to survive (god rest in peace all that suffered that terrible end)
After the war he set up a garage in Leek in Staffordshire, mainly working on and dealing BMH/BLMC cars of the era (i don't have any photos unfortunately, although I'll ask around in the family to see if there are any). During his life he had several A30/A35s. Two that remained were a black 2 door A35, and a Palm green 2 door A35.
The black one (3537E) was given to my MIL when she passed her test around the age of 18/19 and has remained with her ever since. It has been up/down to brighton a lot and was used extensively for many years. It still has its original Staffordshire number plate. It has been off the road for about 18 years now, although over the last 5 years it has been (very slowly) being nursed back to life with a "only do it if it needs it" mentality. It must've been in the family for around 50years now.
Its steering is vague to say the least, its brakes are less than great, it did overheat and it whines. Add in to this its lived outside its entire life. It's had new sills about 8years ago, but I think if you looked around it a bit more and poked it a bit, there's lots more welding that could be done.
Here are some pictures of it 3 years ago at our wedding, it made it 250yard to the village hall under it's own steam... just. Our main wedding car was (i believe) a Humber 9/20. I stand to be corrected on the model, that was kindly offered by a chap in the village.
The Palm green one stayed with Billy and his wife (Eileen) up to the late 90s, when it was sold. Billy died in the early 2000s and Eileen followed in 2015. Here's some pictures we believe was taken in the mid/late 90s. The car is still about somewhere as it is taxed and is on the club register, although the current owner is not known.
3537E was originally taken off the road because it overheated and needed some welding. The seats were removed and retrimmed and didn't go back in until last year. A new headlining has been fitted. New front cylinders were bought and fitted and the master cylinder was overhauled, meaning the brakes now work as well as they ever did (not very).
Now comes to the tricky bit. Within the next year or so when I have freed up a space in the garage it will be coming to live with us. This is a car that will not be sold.
I have a dilemma. My MIL is of the opinion that it needs to be 100% original and shouldn't be "messed about with". My argument is that it was originally designed for much smaller, slower roads with much less traffic.
Driving it with its 948cc 34bhp engine, small drums on the front and rod actuated rear brakes and vague steering is frankly dangerous in modern times. As such it won't be driven as much and wont be enjoyed and will likely continue to languish as it has done for years. Lets not forget that overheating and whining was one of the reasons why it was pulled from the road in the first place.
Anyway, to cut a long story short, I've started collecting parts to make it a much more usable classic car, with period choice upgrades. I already have a midget rear axle with hydraulic rear brakes, a 3.7 tall diff, and all the parts required to do a midget disc brake conversion at the front too. I now have the opportunity to buy a 1275 A-series and a matching ribbed gearbox. I'm also on the hunt for an A40 mk2 steering box as that's supposed to be about the best steering upgrade.
I could probably get away with the steering and brake mods as a matter of "critical safety", but with a 1275 engine I'd want to upgrade the radiator, lower the ride height and fit some ARBs. Which probably wouldn't go down too well and is a "visible" mod.
If the legacy is to continue, then the car should be enjoyed and turned into a proper family heirloom. Its never going to be worth a fortune.
My worry is that I don't want it turned into Triggers Broom, or upset my in-laws by making it a usable car in modern traffic.
What are the thoughts of the collective?!
(Long post incoming - apologies)
My Mother in law has a 1958 Austin A35. Some of you may know this already or have read elsewhere on the forums.
This car was given to her by her father, a chap called Billy Owen, who served his apprenticeship at the old Austin motor works in Longbridge, that later merged with Morris, Jaguar etc to form British Motor Holdings, that later became part of British Leyland.
When the war effort got more severe towards the end of his apprenticeship he joined the Royal Engineers and was one of many who took part in the D-Day landings. He was one of the lucky ones that somehow managed to survive (god rest in peace all that suffered that terrible end)
After the war he set up a garage in Leek in Staffordshire, mainly working on and dealing BMH/BLMC cars of the era (i don't have any photos unfortunately, although I'll ask around in the family to see if there are any). During his life he had several A30/A35s. Two that remained were a black 2 door A35, and a Palm green 2 door A35.
The black one (3537E) was given to my MIL when she passed her test around the age of 18/19 and has remained with her ever since. It has been up/down to brighton a lot and was used extensively for many years. It still has its original Staffordshire number plate. It has been off the road for about 18 years now, although over the last 5 years it has been (very slowly) being nursed back to life with a "only do it if it needs it" mentality. It must've been in the family for around 50years now.
Its steering is vague to say the least, its brakes are less than great, it did overheat and it whines. Add in to this its lived outside its entire life. It's had new sills about 8years ago, but I think if you looked around it a bit more and poked it a bit, there's lots more welding that could be done.
Here are some pictures of it 3 years ago at our wedding, it made it 250yard to the village hall under it's own steam... just. Our main wedding car was (i believe) a Humber 9/20. I stand to be corrected on the model, that was kindly offered by a chap in the village.
The Palm green one stayed with Billy and his wife (Eileen) up to the late 90s, when it was sold. Billy died in the early 2000s and Eileen followed in 2015. Here's some pictures we believe was taken in the mid/late 90s. The car is still about somewhere as it is taxed and is on the club register, although the current owner is not known.
3537E was originally taken off the road because it overheated and needed some welding. The seats were removed and retrimmed and didn't go back in until last year. A new headlining has been fitted. New front cylinders were bought and fitted and the master cylinder was overhauled, meaning the brakes now work as well as they ever did (not very).
Now comes to the tricky bit. Within the next year or so when I have freed up a space in the garage it will be coming to live with us. This is a car that will not be sold.
I have a dilemma. My MIL is of the opinion that it needs to be 100% original and shouldn't be "messed about with". My argument is that it was originally designed for much smaller, slower roads with much less traffic.
Driving it with its 948cc 34bhp engine, small drums on the front and rod actuated rear brakes and vague steering is frankly dangerous in modern times. As such it won't be driven as much and wont be enjoyed and will likely continue to languish as it has done for years. Lets not forget that overheating and whining was one of the reasons why it was pulled from the road in the first place.
Anyway, to cut a long story short, I've started collecting parts to make it a much more usable classic car, with period choice upgrades. I already have a midget rear axle with hydraulic rear brakes, a 3.7 tall diff, and all the parts required to do a midget disc brake conversion at the front too. I now have the opportunity to buy a 1275 A-series and a matching ribbed gearbox. I'm also on the hunt for an A40 mk2 steering box as that's supposed to be about the best steering upgrade.
I could probably get away with the steering and brake mods as a matter of "critical safety", but with a 1275 engine I'd want to upgrade the radiator, lower the ride height and fit some ARBs. Which probably wouldn't go down too well and is a "visible" mod.
If the legacy is to continue, then the car should be enjoyed and turned into a proper family heirloom. Its never going to be worth a fortune.
My worry is that I don't want it turned into Triggers Broom, or upset my in-laws by making it a usable car in modern traffic.
What are the thoughts of the collective?!
Vanordinaire said:
My dad had an A35 (NFG194) in the sixties when I was a kid. After something disastrous happened to the original engine, he fitted a 1098cc 55hp van engine and a few other van parts from a smashed one. It was far superior to the standard 34hp car to drive but there were no visible differences.
Maybe worthwhile looking at some van spec items for inconspicuous improvements.
Sorry I don't have any details of what parts other than the engine he fitted, I was only about six at the time.
I believe these were the same spec as the 1098 Moggy Minors, possibly with the larger drums tooMaybe worthwhile looking at some van spec items for inconspicuous improvements.
Sorry I don't have any details of what parts other than the engine he fitted, I was only about six at the time.
To be fair, most of the mods I've suggested are not visible. Lowering is an option I could avoid, and then the only thing that would let you know any difference is if you lifted the bonnet. Even then, you'd really have to know your stuff to tell a 1275 A-series from a 948 A-series, especially if it was running a single carb instead of a twin.
Edited by Ambleton on Sunday 26th May 22:20
ClaphamGT3 said:
Sounds like your planning to ruin it frankly. A car with that provenance should be kept original
That's the dilemma!There's part of me that says restore lightly and conserve. Then there are other parts of me that say just make it safe with the larger moggy drum brakes and a refreshed steering box. But then if you're doing that then you may as well do it properly and fit some brakes that actually work well, and a period engine that makes it go!
9xxNick said:
Ultimately, there's nothing irreversible about the planned upgrades and they all contribute to a car that will be capable of being used and enjoyed in greater safety than one without them.
I have no problem with the changes at all.
Exactly, it's not like I'm planning on cutting out the tunnel and bulkhead to fit a K-series and type9 box... I have no problem with the changes at all.
Thanks for your input folks.
I've decided to keep on searching for the upgrade bits with a view to fitting them at sone point, but will be keeping all the original bits so it can be put back to standard if required.
I've gone ahead and bought the 1275 A+ engine and ribbed gearbox, I will be collecting this within the week.
I'll rebuild the engine myself at some point. I wont go crazy, but should think that 70-75bhp is easily achieved without too much hassle. I purchased a copy of the "how to tune an A series" bible.
The gearbox will be sent off and done properly.
The diff, rear brakes and hardened half shafts need pulling from the midget axle and building into an A30/35 axle at some point. Apparently this is easier than trying to fit the midget axle as the mount points, damper mounts etc are all different.
The midget front suspension/brake parts need rebuilding too, although new ones are so cheap that I may just replace the calipers etc.
Once I have all the bits I'll lay them out and see what we've got!
But first I need to finish building my other project!
I've decided to keep on searching for the upgrade bits with a view to fitting them at sone point, but will be keeping all the original bits so it can be put back to standard if required.
I've gone ahead and bought the 1275 A+ engine and ribbed gearbox, I will be collecting this within the week.
I'll rebuild the engine myself at some point. I wont go crazy, but should think that 70-75bhp is easily achieved without too much hassle. I purchased a copy of the "how to tune an A series" bible.
The gearbox will be sent off and done properly.
The diff, rear brakes and hardened half shafts need pulling from the midget axle and building into an A30/35 axle at some point. Apparently this is easier than trying to fit the midget axle as the mount points, damper mounts etc are all different.
The midget front suspension/brake parts need rebuilding too, although new ones are so cheap that I may just replace the calipers etc.
Once I have all the bits I'll lay them out and see what we've got!
But first I need to finish building my other project!
Yes, I've seen Daves moggy drum mod kit and I was tempted, but I found a local 1500 midget that was being broken so bought the front brakes/sus from that. I didnt know he was running a standard radiator, so thats good to know. A re-cored one will definitely be on the list then!
I'm not 100% sure wether it does have matching numbers as I've never actually had a full rummage under the bonnet and compared it to the paperwork. I wouldn't be surprised if it's not all matching from historical swaps that may have taken place when Billy owned the car circa 50years ago, as I said he had and ran quite a few so wouldn't be surprised if there was some swapsies going on to get the best combo.
As for parts accrued to date:
- MG Midget 1500 front suspension, dampers and disk brakes/calipers (need overhaul)
- MG Midget 1275 rear axle with hardened half shafts, and hydraulic rear drum brakes. (Needs overhaul and building into an A30/A35 axle)
- MG midget 3.7 tall diff (as above)
- MG midget 1275 ribbed gearbox (looks really clean and suspect was overhauled not long before the car was broken, will give it a check over anyway)
- Morris ITAL 1275 A+ engine. I was told it ran fine before removal 10+yrs ago, but will rebuild and might spice it up a little bit. Low down torque is preferable to a revvy HO engine for road use. I have David Vizards tuning an A-series bible that I'm slowly making my way through before I remove any nuts/bolts.
I'm not 100% sure wether it does have matching numbers as I've never actually had a full rummage under the bonnet and compared it to the paperwork. I wouldn't be surprised if it's not all matching from historical swaps that may have taken place when Billy owned the car circa 50years ago, as I said he had and ran quite a few so wouldn't be surprised if there was some swapsies going on to get the best combo.
As for parts accrued to date:
- MG Midget 1500 front suspension, dampers and disk brakes/calipers (need overhaul)
- MG Midget 1275 rear axle with hardened half shafts, and hydraulic rear drum brakes. (Needs overhaul and building into an A30/A35 axle)
- MG midget 3.7 tall diff (as above)
- MG midget 1275 ribbed gearbox (looks really clean and suspect was overhauled not long before the car was broken, will give it a check over anyway)
- Morris ITAL 1275 A+ engine. I was told it ran fine before removal 10+yrs ago, but will rebuild and might spice it up a little bit. Low down torque is preferable to a revvy HO engine for road use. I have David Vizards tuning an A-series bible that I'm slowly making my way through before I remove any nuts/bolts.
We were up visiting the outlaws last weekend and we dug out a few A35 books and literature.
Original workshop manual.
Various other books and manuals:
A parts list from the mid 90s when stuff was still hand written and photocopied!
Next time I'm up I must take some photos of the car to share!
Original workshop manual.
Various other books and manuals:
A parts list from the mid 90s when stuff was still hand written and photocopied!
Next time I'm up I must take some photos of the car to share!
Sorry, just seen the recent replies!
As ever life gets in the way. I still haven't made space in the garage... I still have other projects on the go.
However it IS still stored at my wife's parents place - they've asked if I can make space before winter properly sets in... let's see...
I spoke to my MiL last weekend about originality and that I had already started to accumulate parts to upgrade it, a better gearbox, better brakes, a slightly bigger engine of the same type....
It then came to light that in the 60s it had been given an engine out of another 948 A35 and its gearbox and back axle arent the originals either. She seemed pleased that I wanted to sort the steering and brakes out as she said they never were up to much, even back then
I think she's softened a bit over the last few years and she now just wants to see it back on the road and if that means upgrades and safer driving then all the better for it.
I have, however, now finished collecting all the second hand bits I wanted for it. Anything else can be purchased new easily enough.
List of parts accumulated-
Ital 1275 A+ engine (needs rebuild)
Midget ribbed gearbox (will send away for recon)
Midget rear axle with hardened half shafts (hydraulic drums)
Additional Midget 3.7 diff
Midget front ARB
Midget front hydraulic discs and suspension
A40 mk2 Camgears steering box (this was the bit that was eluding me for so long so glad I've managed to source one)
The Midget rear brakes, diff and half shafts will be built into a spare a35 axle that's loitering at the back of the shed at my MiLs house. The spring hangars are in a different place so you can't just do a straight swap for a midget axle.
As ever life gets in the way. I still haven't made space in the garage... I still have other projects on the go.
However it IS still stored at my wife's parents place - they've asked if I can make space before winter properly sets in... let's see...
I spoke to my MiL last weekend about originality and that I had already started to accumulate parts to upgrade it, a better gearbox, better brakes, a slightly bigger engine of the same type....
It then came to light that in the 60s it had been given an engine out of another 948 A35 and its gearbox and back axle arent the originals either. She seemed pleased that I wanted to sort the steering and brakes out as she said they never were up to much, even back then
I think she's softened a bit over the last few years and she now just wants to see it back on the road and if that means upgrades and safer driving then all the better for it.
I have, however, now finished collecting all the second hand bits I wanted for it. Anything else can be purchased new easily enough.
List of parts accumulated-
Ital 1275 A+ engine (needs rebuild)
Midget ribbed gearbox (will send away for recon)
Midget rear axle with hardened half shafts (hydraulic drums)
Additional Midget 3.7 diff
Midget front ARB
Midget front hydraulic discs and suspension
A40 mk2 Camgears steering box (this was the bit that was eluding me for so long so glad I've managed to source one)
The Midget rear brakes, diff and half shafts will be built into a spare a35 axle that's loitering at the back of the shed at my MiLs house. The spring hangars are in a different place so you can't just do a straight swap for a midget axle.
When I was searching and rummaging around online, according to the racers, the A40 camgears box is the same ratio (12:1) but is stronger. Whether this refers to materials used, bigger bearings, better tolerancing or just larger internal gearing I don't know.
I know the Rae Davis cars have A40 mk2 steering boxes...
I too would like to know what the technical differences are!
I know the Rae Davis cars have A40 mk2 steering boxes...
I too would like to know what the technical differences are!
Chunkychucky said:
Awesome thanks for the update, glad to hear the renovation is still on the cards!
As an aside, does anyone have anything to clarify/substantiate the above being an upgrade over the Camgears steering box fitted as standard?
Many thanks!
ChunkyChucky - not sure if you're one and the same Chuck as posted on the A30/35 facebook group (it's awfully coincidental if not). But Claire has just given a comprehensive explanation... to the differences. Thought I'd share it here too as it may be of interest to others.As an aside, does anyone have anything to clarify/substantiate the above being an upgrade over the Camgears steering box fitted as standard?
Many thanks!
Edited by Ambleton on Monday 27th September 16:32
Theyre lovely little things and so so affordable. A ropey usable one can be had for a few grand, even pretty good ones are only £5-6k.
Most people would baulk at the idea of spending serious time, effort and money on one, ultimately its never going to be worth very much.
But (and I'm sure this sounds crazy to a lot of folk), it may as well be a 250SWB or a DB4GT lightweight because basically priceless to us, therefore cost is largely irrelevant. I'm glad it's not a super rare, expensive car though, because that would mean parts, spares and insurance would be through the roof.
Oh also I've listed one of my other cars for sale so maybe, just maybe, it'll sell and the little A can be here before winter.
Most people would baulk at the idea of spending serious time, effort and money on one, ultimately its never going to be worth very much.
But (and I'm sure this sounds crazy to a lot of folk), it may as well be a 250SWB or a DB4GT lightweight because basically priceless to us, therefore cost is largely irrelevant. I'm glad it's not a super rare, expensive car though, because that would mean parts, spares and insurance would be through the roof.
Oh also I've listed one of my other cars for sale so maybe, just maybe, it'll sell and the little A can be here before winter.
21st Century Man said:
One of these passed me today in Matlock Bath, pale green running on white minilites with polished rims, it looked to be sitting a touch lower and wider than standard. It was in super condition. I quite fancy one, or an A40.
You didn't get its number did you? I'm trying to find the whereabouts of my wife's grandfather's palm green A35. That was sold in Leek in the late 90s, so not a million miles from Matlock.
It's reg was 802RRF
Two years since my last update (where does time go)....
My other project passed its MSVA yesterday. I hired a trailer to take it and return it from the test station just over an hour away. Whilst I had the trailer hired I extended the hire period until Monday AM so I'm off to collect the little Austin from the in laws tomorrow.
It's going to be a very tight fit in the garage but we'll get there! Might need to make up a dolly frame to support the car sans wheels but will allow me to move it around a bit..
My other project passed its MSVA yesterday. I hired a trailer to take it and return it from the test station just over an hour away. Whilst I had the trailer hired I extended the hire period until Monday AM so I'm off to collect the little Austin from the in laws tomorrow.
It's going to be a very tight fit in the garage but we'll get there! Might need to make up a dolly frame to support the car sans wheels but will allow me to move it around a bit..
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