Going back to my youth.
Discussion
Adding an Austin A35 van to keep company with Austin J2 camper van.
The A35 comes just fifty years since I last owned a A30 saloon. That proved to be very reliable even though it was on its last legs. Hope that my ‘new’ A35 will be just as reliable and as much fun.
Delivery tomorrow and I’ve taxed and insured it ready for a run out at the weekend perhaps.
The van has the disc brake covers ion to front brakes together with servo fitted. Also has an SU carb fitted. Other than that it appears to be in standard trim.
I’m well used to life in the slow lane having enjoyed a number of pre war cars over the past twenty years. The A35 could even feel sprightly
The A35 comes just fifty years since I last owned a A30 saloon. That proved to be very reliable even though it was on its last legs. Hope that my ‘new’ A35 will be just as reliable and as much fun.
Delivery tomorrow and I’ve taxed and insured it ready for a run out at the weekend perhaps.
The van has the disc brake covers ion to front brakes together with servo fitted. Also has an SU carb fitted. Other than that it appears to be in standard trim.
I’m well used to life in the slow lane having enjoyed a number of pre war cars over the past twenty years. The A35 could even feel sprightly
Thee seems to be a resurgance of classic commercials at the moment or maybe that's just the circle I move in.
Amusing memories of an A35 saloon back in the 70's, young friend, his first car, on japanese tyres removed from his brothers car because they were rubbish. Youthful exhuberance, you didn't know if it was going to slide or tip over on a corner. Happy carefree days.
Amusing memories of an A35 saloon back in the 70's, young friend, his first car, on japanese tyres removed from his brothers car because they were rubbish. Youthful exhuberance, you didn't know if it was going to slide or tip over on a corner. Happy carefree days.
I have no way to prove the story, but when I was 14 I started work as a car valeter, part time (after school / weekends / holidays - that sort of thing) at a used car dealership in Prestatyn. The site was once the forecourt of a local garage but the pumps were decommissioned and the storage sheds demolished to make way for used car displays.
Apparently, in one of the sheds, there was an A35 which had been left when its owner dropped it off for some work and never returned. Rumour has it he died while the garage still had the car, so the bill never got paid and it just languished in this shed. I've no idea what became of it but I suspect it made its way to the scrappies, along with the garage owner's Rover P4 which sat for years by the old petrol station kiosk. The local police used to sit in it on night shifts because it was comfortable and unlocked.
Apparently, in one of the sheds, there was an A35 which had been left when its owner dropped it off for some work and never returned. Rumour has it he died while the garage still had the car, so the bill never got paid and it just languished in this shed. I've no idea what became of it but I suspect it made its way to the scrappies, along with the garage owner's Rover P4 which sat for years by the old petrol station kiosk. The local police used to sit in it on night shifts because it was comfortable and unlocked.
Phone call from the transporter bring my van, his broken down and won’t be able to deliver today.
Broke down before collection so that’s a relief, I have taxed and insured the van ready for fun.
I’m interested in Austina35 modified A35, I was vey tempted to buy a modded example but the van popped up and it was ‘love at first sight’ Ahhhhhh!
I would like to hear more of your van, any pic’s?
My van does have the wide banded steel wheels which give it a different and smart look.
Broke down before collection so that’s a relief, I have taxed and insured the van ready for fun.
I’m interested in Austina35 modified A35, I was vey tempted to buy a modded example but the van popped up and it was ‘love at first sight’ Ahhhhhh!
I would like to hear more of your van, any pic’s?My van does have the wide banded steel wheels which give it a different and smart look.
Congrats on the new acquisition OP, look forward to seeing some pics and hope it brings you many miles of joy 
Haha, I wish they allowed you to build silhouette racers, would have saved me a fortune on having to have the bodyshell and panels being restored! Granted the original rod-operated drums have gone, however still have to run original-style lever arm dampers, crossply tyres, no fibreglass panels... fairly constrictive, however if mine isn't quicker than the standard road car I last drove i'll be somewhat dismayed!
davepen said:
sideways man said:
plus they go well at Goodwood.
Although they are more "silhouette" racing cars with lowered, tuned engines, lower suspension, and, I assume, Spridget dics brakes.Chunkychucky said:
Congrats on the new acquisition OP, look forward to seeing some pics and hope it brings you many miles of joy
Haha, I wish they allowed you to build silhouette racers, would have saved me a fortune on having to have the bodyshell and panels being restored! Granted the original rod-operated drums have gone, however still have to run original-style lever arm dampers, crossply tyres, no fibreglass panels... fairly constrictive, however if mine isn't quicker than the standard road car I last drove i'll be somewhat dismayed!
Thanks, it looks very much like it will be delivery next week now, looking at the storms coming in just as well really.davepen said:
sideways man said:
plus they go well at Goodwood.
Although they are more "silhouette" racing cars with lowered, tuned engines, lower suspension, and, I assume, Spridget dics brakes.I was so tempted to by a saloon that had been ‘breathed upon’, a few for sale at the moment but obviously the price reflect the work that has been lavished on them. IIRC two classes of car exist for the racing series, ‘ Academy’ being more of an introduction race car, still extremely nice and quick and then the full on race car seen at Goodwood. I did see one for sale recently that had had about 45k spent on it and was available for about half of that. Not that I had any notion of buying, just interest. The other car being advertised is ‘Butterball’ asking price 17k, a lot of car for a reasonable price, but higher than my budget and not really a comfy ride. My van was a much more realistic price of 8.5k and I will have all the fun I can handle.
What have you done under the bonnet of your car ?
crankedup5 said:
Thanks, it looks very much like it will be delivery next week now, looking at the storms coming in just as well really.
I was so tempted to by a saloon that had been ‘breathed upon’, a few for sale at the moment but obviously the price reflect the work that has been lavished on them. IIRC two classes of car exist for the racing series, ‘ Academy’ being more of an introduction race car, still extremely nice and quick and then the full on race car seen at Goodwood. I did see one for sale recently that had had about 45k spent on it and was available for about half of that. Not that I had any notion of buying, just interest. The other car being advertised is ‘Butterball’ asking price 17k, a lot of car for a reasonable price, but higher than my budget and not really a comfy ride. My van was a much more realistic price of 8.5k and I will have all the fun I can handle.
What have you done under the bonnet of your car ?
Yeah absolutely, weather has gone to pot of late so can't see you'd be missing out on a lot by having the van now!I was so tempted to by a saloon that had been ‘breathed upon’, a few for sale at the moment but obviously the price reflect the work that has been lavished on them. IIRC two classes of car exist for the racing series, ‘ Academy’ being more of an introduction race car, still extremely nice and quick and then the full on race car seen at Goodwood. I did see one for sale recently that had had about 45k spent on it and was available for about half of that. Not that I had any notion of buying, just interest. The other car being advertised is ‘Butterball’ asking price 17k, a lot of car for a reasonable price, but higher than my budget and not really a comfy ride. My van was a much more realistic price of 8.5k and I will have all the fun I can handle.
What have you done under the bonnet of your car ?
Yes that's correct re: the different specifications of car, and those are only the 2 run under Julius Thurgood's HRDC racing banner - there are further variations when you start digging down in to specific clubs' series and regulations (HSCC's Historic Racing Saloons Register, CTCRC's Pre-66 series to name but two). My car has been done to the HRDC's "Touring Greats" spec, which is effectively the St Mary's Trophy specification; a 1275 Midget A series bored out to 1293cc to make the most of the 1300cc capacity limiy running on twin 1.5 inch SUs, 4 speed close ratio straight cut gear set etc etc. What Thurgood would probably call "...in the spirit of period competition spec", but I can't see anyone would ever have gone through this much bother with an A35 in period
since then its had new midget brakes and suspension, new 1275 engine with Hif44 carb and maniflow exhaust. 3.9 diff, electronic ignition, rewire, retrimmed interior in nappa leather and a few other upgrades like modified steering box (lip seal), gearbox lipseal and electric fuel pump. A few other bits and pieces as well.
I am planning to take it to the owners club rally in June this year. I sold my modified A30 saloon to fund some of this.
I am planning to take it to the owners club rally in June this year. I sold my modified A30 saloon to fund some of this.
Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff