What a fantastic little time capsule! I remember a friends next door neighbour having one of these, that was back in the early 70's. Must have been quiet an adventure taking one of these abroad back in the day. Looks like this little one did a fair bit of travelling. Can't say I would want one for a daily driver these days, but for a weekend runabout, most certainly!
I remember these little “Baby Austin’s” well. The main two ways you cal tell the difference between this A30 and the later A35 were the back window, which was much larger on the A35. And the radiator grille, which was painted on the newer model and, as with your car, was chrome plated on the A30. I owned several of both models when I was young and the main failure points were the gearbox, which was prone to losing teeth in second gear and reverse, but more importantly, the lower front suspension trunnions used to collapse and the wheel would move out from its position. This was very frightening and dangerous. The first job I used to do was to replace the trunnions on any car I bought. Front dampers failed regularly and as they were of the lever type, formed the top suspension arm. I could get the engine out and a replacement back in place in less than half an hour. I regularly got 40mpg from them and I never had any trouble with flat batteries. Finally, all A30 and A35 cars/vans and pickups (yes, really) were 12volt, positive earth vehicles. Hope this helps. Great video thanks, which evoked many happy memories. I’m now subscribed and hope to see more of this baby Austin in future videos.
Thank you for your lovely comment and for subscribing; much appreciated. There will definitely be more videos to come on this one. In fact, Elton and I are planning to give her a bit of a wash in the next video.
Don't forget to force some EP 90 Oil into the King Pins! My A35 also had the usual failures, King Pins / Armstrong Lever-Type Shock Absorbers, and a couple of sheared Half-Shafts. Also, the rear brakes did not have any Hydraulics, but were operated from one (central) Slave Cylinder - and Rods to the rear Brake Drums. A good inspection of these items (not Half-Shafts) will be required........
My first car was an A35 and I loved it, only problem was nobody told me that I had to check the engine oil ☹️. I scraped the car but I managed to sell the registration plate to a farmer for a lot more than I originally payed for the car, the reg was RAM 251.
Great little car! You've got to get it running and cleaned up so we can see you both driving around in it! My first car was a 1951 A40, 4 door with a sunroof. Paid $15 Canadian for it. So easy to work on but the wiring was always a problem. Cheers for the west coast of Canada.
not necessarily, some were factory fitted & some were dealer fitted, the factory fitted ones had the copper pipe along side the rocker cover, the dealer fitted ones were normal heater hose without the copper pipe
The clutch maybe stuck to the flywheel. Might come unstuck . With knowledge. If not gearbox out . Free up or new clutch. But you if lucky might rock it free. Clean it up get engine running 1st. Then see . Now we know the ladies age mmmmm
I remember seeing a black four-door one of these with four elderly nuns inside, in the early '70s. Well, it's not something you'd forget! As for this one, you are right, the oily rag treatment for sure. It's a little museum in itself. What a story attached to it, preserve, repair, and get it on the road. I bet she'd do that epic trip again no bother. Can't wait to this one get the treatment. Great channel.
I thought your comment was the beginning of a joke at first 😂 We’ll see how far we can go with this car. I’m surrounded by projects, but winter is just around the corner and it’ll keep me warm.
I remember having those parking lights - the sort of thing car enthusiasts adorned their cars with along with stick-in heated rear window elements! As I recall it was necessary to leave cars illuminated when parked in a built-up (or street lamped) area after dark and these accessories were designed to preserve the battery i.e just one bulb rather than all the car's sidelights lit. We also had bolt-on reversing lights which, with their ingenious clip on red covers, doubled as ineffectual rear fog lights! Fascinating video, by the way
I’m glad you enjoyed the video. We have fallen head over heels in love with this car. Very interesting about the parking light. I’d love to find those rear window elements. I bet there were err…interesting to use!!
@@UKBarnFinds I still have one of those elements, in its original packaging, in a drawer in my garage. Once fitted, they were very susceptible to damage so you could also buy repair kits with a little tub of electrical conductive paint.
It's quite easy to open boot. If you look at the bottom edge of the boot, you'll notice a raised lip. If you grab hold on either side of the boot lock and pull out whilst lifting it will pop the boot lid open. If you then take the handle off, it should have the key number written on it. It won't damage the boot lid.
This is the car Gilbert Wynne drove in "Clegg"! Back in 1969 when the movie was shot it was considered an old clunker, oh how the times have changed...
Growing up, my family was never without an A30 or an A35, although we didn't get one of the latter until I was 14 and Dad found one that had done only 39,800 miles and bought it off the original owner. My first car was a 1954 Austin A30 2-door. Another great find, she was originally dark grey, but the owner who had kept her since she was imported into New Zealand had repainted it twice - once with a lighter grey that had a blue tinge to it and latterly with a straight light grey. Both were applied with either a hearth broom, wallpaper brush or wringer-mop and bucket from the look of the ridges in the paintwork. However, this had kept the rust to a minimum in its 30-year life until I bought it for the princely sum of $NZ500 - the equivalent of about 250 GBP on today's exchange rate, but more like 130 GBP back in 1984. She had travelled just 70,084 miles in all that time and despite the regular servicing, the little 803cc engine was showing its age and would often imitate a certain Aston Martin driven by a Mr Bond and I would lose sight of everyone who had been behind me when I took off from the lights. Now, when I say "took off", I mean it metaphorically. First gear, which has no synchro and is straight cut, had the sort of ratio that would better a S1 Land Rover in 4-low and would happily climb the side of a 3-storey building at idle. The speedometer used to read an optimistic 15mph at the end of first, but I reckon you could knock the one off the front of that and still have a couple to go, so first gear was only ever used on hill starts (and on my driving test, which I took 3 months after I bought the car). She had a factory heater (like your little green one - which is why it is a Bakelite turn / twist switch like the switch for the wipers and panel lights and not something else period-correct), factory colour-coded ash trays right and left in the front, factory chrome-plated trafficator arms, factory bumper over-riders, factory locking petrol cap and the expensive oil bath air filter all ticked on the options list. The interior was unmarked and totally original except for the addition of an ammeter. It had been garaged all its life and hadn't been driven in the rain much, so the carpets were still in pristine condition under the Axminster cut-outs that the old boy had put in to cover it as a cheap set of floor mats (he used to take the driver's one out after each run and either shake it out or leave it to dry after getting in it with wet shoes, before putting it back in when he went out next. The only rot it had was at the bottom of the front guards (where the pop-riveted patch on your A30 is located) and behind the rear wheel arches. All virgin rust and neither spot was bad enough to have the inspector frowning at it during any of the Warrant of Fitness (WoF) checks - which are NZ's equivalent of the UK's MOT. She was a lovely wee car and no, I never raced, rallied or rolled it as I loved the wee thing and it was my first true taste of freedom on the road to becoming an adult, so I wasn't messing with it in case I somehow broke it! I did service it (ie: went around it and greased things according to the intervals in the book and gave it an oil and filter change, checked the levels of the box and diff and adjusted the handbrake etc) and I did have to re-kit the master cylinder and figure out how to fix the issue when I somehow got it jammed in second gear. If this ever happens to you, pop the three bolts off the plate holding the gearstick onto the top of the gearbox, remove the stick itself and get a huge screwdriver - the biggest one you have got - and put it down in there. You will easily feel the selectors and will need to move one down (I think) to disengage the gear, whence the car will happily roll back and forth in neutral again. Then just re-fit the gearstick, bolt the plate down and try not to do it again! The A30s my parents had over my youth were many, although we always kept one in particular - a dark blue 1955 4-door - while others came and went. The white 1957 39k mile A35 was an absolute stunner and so original and perfect that it could have come off the showroom floor. However, that is what my parents asked me to drive 114 miles to our holiday destination - over some fairly narrow and rutted unsealed roads that wound their way around cliff-sides many hundreds of feet above the rocks and sea for the final 20 miles - and only some 10 days after I got my license! I don't know what I was more scared of - sliding off the road over the cliff or explaining to my father about the stone chips that had appeared in this mint little car's 27-year-old paint! The A30 is a wonderful little car and I remember riding in the back, coming home late from visiting my grandparents in the blue one and knowing EXACTLY where we were on the trip by the sequence of gear changes alone. I always knew which gear the car was in by the particular whine it made and how fast the car was going (when in 4th) by the whine of the diff. Many great memories in those wee cars..... As to yours, I tend to agree with your plans for it. Certainly get her running, driving and stopping under her own power, but give her a sympathetic restoration only. This means just a thorough clean and full maintenance sweep from front to rear.....although personally I'd clean all the glass. There is a very good chance the little car's milage is original and that glass would look stunning if it were crystal clear.....but take photos of the "art work" for posterity for sure. As to her paintwork, that's just a bit sad that it's got that bad, but there are ways of bringing it back. Me, after washing it down thoroughly, I'd be looking for all the areas where there is a large patch of paint and hitting them with rubbing compound and polish - only introducing the buffer when I am certain there is enough paint to handle it. If you do a bit by hand, you get a feel for whether there's much paint or if it will even come back at all.....and sometimes carrying on with this process can remove more paint than it saves or prove a complete waste of time, so it's why I always start cutting by hand in a small area first and deciding from the result whether the buffer is needed.....or whether it's more that Aladdin's lamp is in order to get it to shine as originally intended....and I move on. Getting these bits to shine up well on their own will help the overall look, but what doesn't come back will be helped by a later step. After getting the best bits to shine if possible, then I'd be hitting all the areas that have puckering paint with some very fine steel wool. This not only knocks the loose paint off, it cleans the rusty marks off the remaining paint and takes the rough surface off the exposed bare metal. After this, I'd be applying boiled linseed to a rag and wiping her down from top to bottom. First - oil up all the areas that I used a steel wool pad on, then any areas that would not come up with the polishing steps. Give it an hour and then apply another coat, paying particular attention to the areas of exposed metal to ensure these are coated more liberally. Leave it for a couple of days and then wipe down the painted surfaces to ensure there is no residual oil. Repeat the linseed process once every 6 months. That wee car will look magical when cleaned up - burnished exterior, very tidy interior and clean original engine bay. Don't be afraid to use soapy water (dishwashing liquid in warm water) and a scrubbing brush on the seats. The blue A30 we had, had white seats and my Dad was a bricklayer, so scrubbing these babies was a monthly chore! The less modern chemicals the old materials are exposed to, the better. I look forward to seeing how you get on with the wee car - and indeed if she will eventually free up, roll over and kick into life for you. All the best!
Great little cars these, my dad had the 4 door version and we went everywhere in it with no trouble. My mum was really impressed about its` having a heater, the old Ford Pop never had one and we`d freeze. Dad`s car was blue with a white roof and the reg was RYP499. The switch in the top centre of the dash is the indicator control with built-in warning light, no self cancelling. Nice.
Just some trivia, the copper coin is an 'ape-knee' and the matches cost '3 ape-unce.' The A35 was my first car, in 1971, costing £15 and sold a few weeks later when new kingpins were needed for £25.
Matches were a Penny Halfpenny or one and a ha'penny. Pre decimalisation. FYI! I had an A30 in 1965, Number SLL 146. It gave many hours of happy motoring, until the Big End blew, and I had to scrap it, as to repair it would be more than the car was worth!
My first car, bought for me by my Dad was a 803cc A30, also in light green. Funny how you remember your first cars reg, OVB 651. He told me to take it all apart and learn how cars work, not much use nowadays 😂😂😂 I remember being able to stand inside the engine bay! Also the cylinders were the size of those small baked bean tins! Those rod operated rear brakes were something else!! But it was built like a tank. Had to double declutch on gear changes, l wonder how many drivers can do that nowadays 😂
My dad had a van version of this when i was a kid....had it for a month when some guy un a huge humber hit us head on....both cars were complete write offs....our austin disintegrated on impact....we were injured and had to go to hospital...
I had one of those Parking lights. It clipped over the window, not the door. If the door was used, when it rained, the water would be conducted to the inside of the car, and you would get a wet seat! The window was lowered enough to clip the light over the top of the glass, then wound back up to trap the clip so it couldn't be removed. Decimalisation arrived in mid 1972 or so, so the car was off the road by then. Any coinage would be pre decimalisation.
8:15 I think that's a coin from somewhere in Africa or middle east...? I believe they used to put their coins on a string... Hence also why the belly dancers have got those little pendants along their waist...
If you are successful at getting the sparkplugs out look for some marvel mystery oil... to poor down the cylinders and live it set and work for a day......
If memory serves me correctly those lights were used because they didn’t drain the battery like the parking lights on the car would.The switch on top of the dashboard is for the indicators.
As much as I like these my parents didn't have much luck with the, they had 1 each my mum crashed hers at a junction not serious but my dad (his car was tuned) went through a hedge and hit a tree. He was in a comma for 2 weeks and when he come round he had lost 5 years of his memories (which he never got back) so I wasn't allowed to buy one
Hi Barn finds..1926: Ethylene glycol is first used as an automotive antifreeze. It's widely used by the military during World War II....hope that helps..reference getting into the boot take the back seat out that should give you access ..have fun.
your very welcome@@UKBarnFinds i hope it helps when you remove the seat if it an early model there is like a cross , Metal section behind the back seat should be able to get around this to get in...failing that I've a tin full of old car keys lol
We used to paint a yellow film over the head lights mainly in the autumn/ winter months for driving in the fog rather than a white light for better visibility, as you can imagine top speed wasn’t a priority but getting to the destination was. We seemed to have a lot more fog or smog them days . It’s possible if the rear seat back lifts away it may be possible to see in the boot that way, I don’t think it was a solid bulkhead
The yellow headlight paint was mandatory for foreign drivers travelling through France,Belgium etc. which your car did so was sounding your horn when overtaking, we did many family French trips in the 60’s in my Dads A60 Estate.
In those days 50s even 60s you had to leave your side lihts on. The vehicle had to have lights on at nite ( like road lamps parrafin red with swan necks around holes etc ) now your little parking light fitted on the glass window. You wound window down fitted your parking light on glass wound your window back up. One bulb working to illuminate vehicle instead of 4 side lights on. So it saved your battery charge . 1 bulb instead of 4 bulbs . It was something you had to fit . Extra. Not factory fitted . ? 😮 hope the comments help ?
Great find, leave the paintwork as it is, it’s patina is part of its history. Just for info you can buy patina treatments which will stabilise the paint as it is now and ‘cure’ it 👍🏻
No, it's not the wiper switch - it's the trafficator switch. As I recall, it wasn't a simple matter of connecting up flashing indicators to that switch, as it would short out to ground if turning one way, but not the other...! Probably why it had been unscrewed from the dash? I think there was a modified switch available, certainly in the late 1960s when I was fiddling, but that looks like the original.
I seem to think the parking light was no longer necessary around 1970, as I bought my first Mini in 1972 (two wheels before then) and don't remember needing one, though my parents' car had one.
Trafficators just popped out and lite up ie. Did not flash so conversion to indicator required a flasher relay in the wiring loom. As for boot keys I would almost certainly have one amongst the hundred of fs keys I have gained working and even owning A30/35 and others over the last 60 years in the trade.
I was offered one of these for £20 when I passed my driving test in '73. To my eternal regret I turned it down as it lacked an MOT. Also I thought it wouldn't 'pull the birds' which was quite important to an 18 year old.
PPW was registered in Norfolk between Dec 53-Feb 54 (1st Jan 1954 they had issued PPW 154), yours will be maybe late January/February registered, Norwich County records office may hold the registration records for it which will help you if you do not have the VE60/RF60 log book, i was the previous DVLA officer of the said club & did many applications for owners to get their A30/A35 back on the system
Thank you. At the moment, we have no paperwork. A miracle could happen when we get into the boot, but I doubt it. I’ll be happy to find the starting handle.
my first car A35, the up market version. great little car, wish I'd kept it. the parking light goes over the window not the door. scratches paint. had one myself. just found your channel, will binge and catch up. keep them coming. 🙂
In the 1970s, the economy was in dire straights and we had a socialist government which was incredibly interfering. We didn't realise back then but we still had the remains of a war time economy. If you wanted to go abroad, there were limits as to how much currency you could withdraw and take with you abroad, which amounted to £50 per adult. £50 was a goodly amount in 1971 and was certainly enough for a working man's foray to Spain etc. The rules were widely flouted. Lady Thatcher's government ended these controls in 1979.
I loved seeing this at ACA, so much character! If you're still struggling with getting the boot open, you could try ordering some jigger keys, they're only cheap - I was able to get into my Austin 1300 with them. Best of luck with it 🙂
Cheers. I’ve just ordered some from Amazon, after reading this. I’ve got a couple of things to try first, but will try these if nothing else works. Now off to search RUclips vids on how to use them…
If they're wilmott breeden union locks look at the key barrel for a number bizzairly they stamped the barrels with the key number until about 1966 . Any good old school locksmith can make a key .
I have just seen this video. What a find. It would be awesome to do an article for the club magazine. Would it be something that you would be interested in doing? Best regards. Jeff Carter Spotlight and Sidelights editor.
Hi Jeff, we would be interested; thank you. Would you be so kind as to visit our website www.ukbarnfinds.com and send us a message with your contact details via our ‘Contact Us’ form.
me too & we've still got it after 64 years ownership, we had someone travel in ours long before they became famous in a 80's band (& still touring now)
I am sure a typical European British car like this actually means something to fellow European Brits, but to me (Continental European) this car does not mean anything. This in general goes for all typical British cars, apart from a few exceptions. They weren't very popular on the European Continent, since they tended to brake down a lot a rust away within a few years. It therefor is a little wonder that you actually found one in the condition it appears to be in. If this channel merely is going to be about British cars found in Brittan, than I am no longer interested of being a subscriber and I therefore will have to cancel my subscription.
Many thanks for your comment. We don’t just feature British cars. We have recently featured a Citroen 2CV, Datsun Cherry amongst others on our channel. Hope you stick around 👍
I love those old Austin's, my first car was a 1957 Austin A50, 1500cc. I paid £40 for it in 1970 and ran it for 4 years, then sold it for a tenner. They do rust underneath but the engines and gearbox/clutch were good. Bench front seat and column change. The Armstrong lever action shock absorbers to the front were a weakness, when they broke down the front end never stopped rising and falling, made you feel sea sick. Wish I still had one. The baby Austin A30 was a lovely little car but not as practical for a family man sadly.
We do and you’re right, a second video is overdue. We tried to get started last week; we bought a pump to siphon the tank, but it arrived damaged and now we’re waiting for a replacement. Wish I hadn’t opted for mail order now!
Fantastic! I was 13 when this one came out, but remember when I was six my father drove a pick-up version of the Austin A30, I assume. That was in 1957.
My first car was an A35 from 1958. Pay attention to the distrubutor - don't use fabric covered cables inside. Also, the rear brake slave cylinder is liable to seize , causing brake failure. The boot can be opened by inserting a shim between the body and the boot lid. I fitted hydraulic disks to the front and drums to the back. Otherwise really easy to work on and find parts.
My Dad had one early 1960s also in that shade of green,he stopped buying British cars(unreliable) remember all the breakdowns ,bought Renault for the rest of his days.
My dad had one, it was cream in colour, but he didn't like the colour. So with it parked on the street outside the house my dad and myself painted it black!. That was before the registration law of colours of cars. I remember the morning of decimalisation, I was in my 3rd year of senior school, all the bright shiny new coins.
Hi guys what a lovely old car you have there. That big knob in the middle of the dash board might be the indicator switch I have an MGA and the switch is on the dash on the right side of the steering wheel. If the lock is rusted up on the boot If you grab hold of both sides of the boot at the bottom of the lid you can sometimes pop the boot open with a good pull. Good luck bringing her back to life I shall sub and look forward to up dates.👍🏻
I bought my first car in '66. I had the choice between a Ford Prefect 4-door and a 2 door A30. I chose the Ford but made a mistake because the gear stick kept jumping out of gear and into neutral. I've never seen one of those parking lights. I look forward to your next video on the A30
Going by PW it was first registered in the area of Norfolk / Norwich Town. I agree with what you said about oiling down the body to keep the original patina look. When I purchased a 1977 Allegro Estate in 2004 I found under the rear seat a half bottle of DALLAS aftershave. From the time when Dallas was on TV I would have thought. ...".You've a bloody book, have a look".... "not now" 😅 I do like to watch a good domestic😅 But a good team regardless. 👍 Can't wait to see what's in the boot.
Yes, this was a Norfolk car. Well spotted! Claire and I do have our moments, I guess. She’d still be in there now, if she had her way. I can’t risk her cleaning that back window, though 😳
@@UKBarnFinds it was fun and light hearted, just reminded me of the Italian Job, " you're only suppose to blow the bloody doors off" you have your own famous line now. Lol 😂 Looking forward to your next video already 👍
You should have seen her face when I said she couldn’t get in an Opel Commodore today, as it had been cleaned. Priceless 😂 Thanks for the support. Claire and I read all the comments and it helps us to keep pushing on. RUclips is hard work, but sharing cars and moments with like-minded people is what keeps it fun 👍🏻
Nice work. You guys are getting better and better with each video - love the banter between you. Elton I’m disappointed you didn’t try some French pronunciation - did Eric Rayment teach you nothing? 😂
I’ll have a look. Funnily enough, I bought a box of car parts about 6 months ago and there are some A30 bits in it (it was fate!). I think there may be a couple of gear knobs.
What a fantastic little time capsule! I remember a friends next door neighbour having one of these, that was back in the early 70's. Must have been quiet an adventure taking one of these abroad back in the day. Looks like this little one did a fair bit of travelling. Can't say I would want one for a daily driver these days, but for a weekend runabout, most certainly!
Glad you enjoyed it. We feel the same about these small old cars. They're such fun, but you do feel vulnerable among the enormous modern day stuff!
I remember these little “Baby Austin’s” well. The main two ways you cal tell the difference between this A30 and the later A35 were the back window, which was much larger on the A35. And the radiator grille, which was painted on the newer model and, as with your car, was chrome plated on the A30. I owned several of both models when I was young and the main failure points were the gearbox, which was prone to losing teeth in second gear and reverse, but more importantly, the lower front suspension trunnions used to collapse and the wheel would move out from its position. This was very frightening and dangerous. The first job I used to do was to replace the trunnions on any car I bought. Front dampers failed regularly and as they were of the lever type, formed the top suspension arm. I could get the engine out and a replacement back in place in less than half an hour. I regularly got 40mpg from them and I never had any trouble with flat batteries. Finally, all A30 and A35 cars/vans and pickups (yes, really) were 12volt, positive earth vehicles. Hope this helps. Great video thanks, which evoked many happy memories. I’m now subscribed and hope to see more of this baby Austin in future videos.
Thank you for your lovely comment and for subscribing; much appreciated. There will definitely be more videos to come on this one. In fact, Elton and I are planning to give her a bit of a wash in the next video.
Don't forget to force some EP 90 Oil into the King Pins! My A35 also had the usual failures, King Pins / Armstrong Lever-Type Shock Absorbers, and a couple of sheared Half-Shafts. Also, the rear brakes did not have any Hydraulics, but were operated from one (central) Slave Cylinder - and Rods to the rear Brake Drums. A good inspection of these items (not Half-Shafts) will be required........
Them doodles are just your whims. Can’t imagine they’re that old.
You may well be right!
We had a car the same when we got married in 1969 it was great you have made my day
That’s lovely to hear. Thank you 🙏
I was born in 1954 and have always wanted a 1954 car you lucky people
My first car was an A35 and I loved it, only problem was nobody told me that I had to check the engine oil ☹️.
I scraped the car but I managed to sell the registration plate to a farmer for a lot more than I originally payed for the car, the reg was RAM 251.
True story; I have a farmer friend with a EWE number plate. Better not let them get together 😂
Great little car! You've got to get it running and cleaned up so we can see you both driving around in it! My first car was a 1951 A40, 4 door with a sunroof. Paid $15 Canadian for it. So easy to work on but the wiring was always a problem. Cheers for the west coast of Canada.
We’ll see what we can do. No promises! If I can get the engine free, it’ll be a good start. The car itself seems solid enough.
The parking light would have been used in unlit roads.
Heater was an optional extra
That’s very interesting; thank you for commenting
not necessarily, some were factory fitted & some were dealer fitted, the factory fitted ones had the copper pipe along side the rocker cover, the dealer fitted ones were normal heater hose without the copper pipe
Who remembers the farthing? 1/4p
The clutch maybe stuck to the flywheel. Might come unstuck . With knowledge. If not gearbox out . Free up or new clutch. But you if lucky might rock it free. Clean it up get engine running 1st. Then see . Now we know the ladies age mmmmm
I hope you are going to give it a wash or something, it’s a bit dirty😂😂
😂😂 She sure is. We will be giving her a wash in the next video 👍
I remember seeing a black four-door one of these with four elderly nuns inside, in the early '70s. Well, it's not something you'd forget!
As for this one, you are right, the oily rag treatment for sure. It's a little museum in itself. What a story attached to it, preserve, repair, and get it on the road. I bet she'd do that epic trip again no bother. Can't wait to this one get the treatment. Great channel.
I thought your comment was the beginning of a joke at first 😂 We’ll see how far we can go with this car. I’m surrounded by projects, but winter is just around the corner and it’ll keep me warm.
@@UKBarnFinds Hah, would make a good joke alright. 👍
I remember having those parking lights - the sort of thing car enthusiasts adorned their cars with along with stick-in heated rear window elements! As I recall it was necessary to leave cars illuminated when parked in a built-up (or street lamped) area after dark and these accessories were designed to preserve the battery i.e just one bulb rather than all the car's sidelights lit. We also had bolt-on reversing lights which, with their ingenious clip on red covers, doubled as ineffectual rear fog lights! Fascinating video, by the way
I’m glad you enjoyed the video. We have fallen head over heels in love with this car. Very interesting about the parking light. I’d love to find those rear window elements. I bet there were err…interesting to use!!
@@UKBarnFinds I still have one of those elements, in its original packaging, in a drawer in my garage. Once fitted, they were very susceptible to damage so you could also buy repair kits with a little tub of electrical conductive paint.
@@robt2151fitted one on my 1970 beetle, it worked perfectly.
You are still supposed to leave your sidelights on at night now where the road has a speed limit over 30 mph.
What a charming little car, and a real time capsule! I was also born in '71, so it was definitely a good year ;)
It was the year of legends. I’ve got it on a hoodie somewhere 😂
It's quite easy to open boot. If you look at the bottom edge of the boot, you'll notice a raised lip. If you grab hold on either side of the boot lock and pull out whilst lifting it will pop the boot lid open. If you then take the handle off, it should have the key number written on it. It won't damage the boot lid.
Thanks for that, we’ll give it a go!
This is the car Gilbert Wynne drove in "Clegg"! Back in 1969 when the movie was shot it was considered an old clunker, oh how the times have changed...
Growing up, my family was never without an A30 or an A35, although we didn't get one of the latter until I was 14 and Dad found one that had done only 39,800 miles and bought it off the original owner.
My first car was a 1954 Austin A30 2-door. Another great find, she was originally dark grey, but the owner who had kept her since she was imported into New Zealand had repainted it twice - once with a lighter grey that had a blue tinge to it and latterly with a straight light grey. Both were applied with either a hearth broom, wallpaper brush or wringer-mop and bucket from the look of the ridges in the paintwork. However, this had kept the rust to a minimum in its 30-year life until I bought it for the princely sum of $NZ500 - the equivalent of about 250 GBP on today's exchange rate, but more like 130 GBP back in 1984.
She had travelled just 70,084 miles in all that time and despite the regular servicing, the little 803cc engine was showing its age and would often imitate a certain Aston Martin driven by a Mr Bond and I would lose sight of everyone who had been behind me when I took off from the lights. Now, when I say "took off", I mean it metaphorically. First gear, which has no synchro and is straight cut, had the sort of ratio that would better a S1 Land Rover in 4-low and would happily climb the side of a 3-storey building at idle. The speedometer used to read an optimistic 15mph at the end of first, but I reckon you could knock the one off the front of that and still have a couple to go, so first gear was only ever used on hill starts (and on my driving test, which I took 3 months after I bought the car).
She had a factory heater (like your little green one - which is why it is a Bakelite turn / twist switch like the switch for the wipers and panel lights and not something else period-correct), factory colour-coded ash trays right and left in the front, factory chrome-plated trafficator arms, factory bumper over-riders, factory locking petrol cap and the expensive oil bath air filter all ticked on the options list. The interior was unmarked and totally original except for the addition of an ammeter.
It had been garaged all its life and hadn't been driven in the rain much, so the carpets were still in pristine condition under the Axminster cut-outs that the old boy had put in to cover it as a cheap set of floor mats (he used to take the driver's one out after each run and either shake it out or leave it to dry after getting in it with wet shoes, before putting it back in when he went out next. The only rot it had was at the bottom of the front guards (where the pop-riveted patch on your A30 is located) and behind the rear wheel arches. All virgin rust and neither spot was bad enough to have the inspector frowning at it during any of the Warrant of Fitness (WoF) checks - which are NZ's equivalent of the UK's MOT.
She was a lovely wee car and no, I never raced, rallied or rolled it as I loved the wee thing and it was my first true taste of freedom on the road to becoming an adult, so I wasn't messing with it in case I somehow broke it! I did service it (ie: went around it and greased things according to the intervals in the book and gave it an oil and filter change, checked the levels of the box and diff and adjusted the handbrake etc) and I did have to re-kit the master cylinder and figure out how to fix the issue when I somehow got it jammed in second gear.
If this ever happens to you, pop the three bolts off the plate holding the gearstick onto the top of the gearbox, remove the stick itself and get a huge screwdriver - the biggest one you have got - and put it down in there. You will easily feel the selectors and will need to move one down (I think) to disengage the gear, whence the car will happily roll back and forth in neutral again. Then just re-fit the gearstick, bolt the plate down and try not to do it again!
The A30s my parents had over my youth were many, although we always kept one in particular - a dark blue 1955 4-door - while others came and went. The white 1957 39k mile A35 was an absolute stunner and so original and perfect that it could have come off the showroom floor. However, that is what my parents asked me to drive 114 miles to our holiday destination - over some fairly narrow and rutted unsealed roads that wound their way around cliff-sides many hundreds of feet above the rocks and sea for the final 20 miles - and only some 10 days after I got my license! I don't know what I was more scared of - sliding off the road over the cliff or explaining to my father about the stone chips that had appeared in this mint little car's 27-year-old paint!
The A30 is a wonderful little car and I remember riding in the back, coming home late from visiting my grandparents in the blue one and knowing EXACTLY where we were on the trip by the sequence of gear changes alone. I always knew which gear the car was in by the particular whine it made and how fast the car was going (when in 4th) by the whine of the diff. Many great memories in those wee cars.....
As to yours, I tend to agree with your plans for it. Certainly get her running, driving and stopping under her own power, but give her a sympathetic restoration only. This means just a thorough clean and full maintenance sweep from front to rear.....although personally I'd clean all the glass. There is a very good chance the little car's milage is original and that glass would look stunning if it were crystal clear.....but take photos of the "art work" for posterity for sure.
As to her paintwork, that's just a bit sad that it's got that bad, but there are ways of bringing it back. Me, after washing it down thoroughly, I'd be looking for all the areas where there is a large patch of paint and hitting them with rubbing compound and polish - only introducing the buffer when I am certain there is enough paint to handle it. If you do a bit by hand, you get a feel for whether there's much paint or if it will even come back at all.....and sometimes carrying on with this process can remove more paint than it saves or prove a complete waste of time, so it's why I always start cutting by hand in a small area first and deciding from the result whether the buffer is needed.....or whether it's more that Aladdin's lamp is in order to get it to shine as originally intended....and I move on. Getting these bits to shine up well on their own will help the overall look, but what doesn't come back will be helped by a later step. After getting the best bits to shine if possible, then I'd be hitting all the areas that have puckering paint with some very fine steel wool. This not only knocks the loose paint off, it cleans the rusty marks off the remaining paint and takes the rough surface off the exposed bare metal. After this, I'd be applying boiled linseed to a rag and wiping her down from top to bottom. First - oil up all the areas that I used a steel wool pad on, then any areas that would not come up with the polishing steps. Give it an hour and then apply another coat, paying particular attention to the areas of exposed metal to ensure these are coated more liberally. Leave it for a couple of days and then wipe down the painted surfaces to ensure there is no residual oil. Repeat the linseed process once every 6 months.
That wee car will look magical when cleaned up - burnished exterior, very tidy interior and clean original engine bay. Don't be afraid to use soapy water (dishwashing liquid in warm water) and a scrubbing brush on the seats. The blue A30 we had, had white seats and my Dad was a bricklayer, so scrubbing these babies was a monthly chore! The less modern chemicals the old materials are exposed to, the better. I look forward to seeing how you get on with the wee car - and indeed if she will eventually free up, roll over and kick into life for you. All the best!
This is such a fantastic reply. I’ve read it a few times and I’m sure I’ll read it again. Thank you so much for sharing all of this with us.
Clairified LOL What a time capsule...Get it to run Elton, it's such a cute car !
No pressure, then 😂
@@UKBarnFindsNone at all ! I've got a lot of confidence in your abilities !
Great little cars these, my dad had the 4 door version and we went everywhere in it with no trouble. My mum was really impressed about its` having a heater, the old Ford Pop never had one and we`d freeze. Dad`s car was blue with a white roof and the reg was RYP499. The switch in the top centre of the dash is the indicator control with built-in warning light, no self cancelling. Nice.
Switch on top of dash is indicators
Just some trivia, the copper coin is an 'ape-knee' and the matches cost '3 ape-unce.'
The A35 was my first car, in 1971, costing £15 and sold a few weeks later when new kingpins were needed for £25.
Matches were a Penny Halfpenny or one and a ha'penny. Pre decimalisation. FYI! I had an A30 in 1965, Number SLL 146. It gave many hours of happy motoring, until the Big End blew, and I had to scrap it, as to repair it would be more than the car was worth!
Why not get a photo of, and have some vinyl graphics done of the doodles on the back window, and fit those instead?
That is a FANTASTIC idea!
@@UKBarnFinds maybe even another good one, sticker merch 😂😂😂
My first car, bought for me by my Dad was a 803cc A30, also in light green. Funny how you remember your first cars reg, OVB 651. He told me to take it all apart and learn how cars work, not much use nowadays 😂😂😂
I remember being able to stand inside the engine bay! Also the cylinders were the size of those small baked bean tins! Those rod operated rear brakes were something else!! But it was built like a tank. Had to double declutch on gear changes, l wonder how many drivers can do that nowadays 😂
This is a very early example of the A2S4 2 door saloon, which were introduced in November 1953. It was probably built in December '53
My dad had a van version of this when i was a kid....had it for a month when some guy un a huge humber hit us head on....both cars were complete write offs....our austin disintegrated on impact....we were injured and had to go to hospital...
I had one of those Parking lights. It clipped over the window, not the door. If the door was used, when it rained, the water would be conducted to the inside of the car, and you would get a wet seat! The window was lowered enough to clip the light over the top of the glass, then wound back up to trap the clip so it couldn't be removed. Decimalisation arrived in mid 1972 or so, so the car was off the road by then. Any coinage would be pre decimalisation.
8:15 I think that's a coin from somewhere in Africa or middle east...? I believe they used to put their coins on a string... Hence also why the belly dancers have got those little pendants along their waist...
Mercantile Credit I think was taken over by Barclays - I was responsible for lease payments on machinery in the 1980s
That plug in parking light , i see European tucks parked up in laybys in this country using those still .......just subscribed and loving it 👍
A30 my first car (MWO 314) clip on parking light fitted over slide up drivers window as did ariel for transistor radio
I've got one of those parking lights,was my wife's grandad's. It's a modified version with crocodile clips!
If you are successful at getting the sparkplugs out look for some
marvel mystery oil...
to poor down the cylinders
and live it set and work for a day......
If memory serves me correctly those lights were used because they didn’t drain the battery like the parking lights on the car would.The switch on top of the dashboard is for the indicators.
As much as I like these my parents didn't have much luck with the, they had 1 each my mum crashed hers at a junction not serious but my dad (his car was tuned) went through a hedge and hit a tree. He was in a comma for 2 weeks and when he come round he had lost 5 years of his memories (which he never got back) so I wasn't allowed to buy one
Hi Barn finds..1926: Ethylene glycol is first used as an automotive antifreeze. It's widely used by the military during World War II....hope that helps..reference getting into the boot take the back seat out that should give you access ..have fun.
Thank you so much for your comment, this is indeed very helpful and interesting
your very welcome@@UKBarnFinds i hope it helps when you remove the seat if it an early model there is like a cross , Metal section behind the back seat should be able to get around this to get in...failing that I've a tin full of old car keys lol
We used to paint a yellow film over the head lights mainly in the autumn/ winter months for driving in the fog rather than a white light for better visibility, as you can imagine top speed wasn’t a priority but getting to the destination was. We seemed to have a lot more fog or smog them days . It’s possible if the rear seat back lifts away it may be possible to see in the boot that way, I don’t think it was a solid bulkhead
Thanks for your comment Les. Very interesting about the yellow film on the head lights!
The yellow headlight paint was mandatory for foreign drivers travelling through France,Belgium etc. which your car did so was sounding your horn when overtaking, we did many family French trips in the 60’s in my Dads A60 Estate.
Kerrys had a large building in Stratford E.15. They sold motoring accessories and liquids.
Nice little cars to look at nowadays but typifies the crap vehicles we had to put up with in Britain many years ago.
Anti freeze was around in 1950’s I remember my father having to mix it with water . I think he use to buy it from Boots!
In those days 50s even 60s you had to leave your side lihts on. The vehicle had to have lights on at nite ( like road lamps parrafin red with swan necks around holes etc ) now your little parking light fitted on the glass window. You wound window down fitted your parking light on glass wound your window back up. One bulb working to illuminate vehicle instead of 4 side lights on. So it saved your battery charge . 1 bulb instead of 4 bulbs . It was something you had to fit . Extra. Not factory fitted . ? 😮 hope the comments help ?
Great video! What happened at 2:16 lol, seems like two still frames slide into eachother.
Great find, leave the paintwork as it is, it’s patina is part of its history. Just for info you can buy patina treatments which will stabilise the paint as it is now and ‘cure’ it 👍🏻
My late Mothers first car after passing her driving test. I think the Reg was three numbers and letters PIV.
No, it's not the wiper switch - it's the trafficator switch. As I recall, it wasn't a simple matter of connecting up flashing indicators to that switch, as it would short out to ground if turning one way, but not the other...! Probably why it had been unscrewed from the dash? I think there was a modified switch available, certainly in the late 1960s when I was fiddling, but that looks like the original.
Brilliant. Thanks for that. Very handy to know!
I seem to think the parking light was no longer necessary around 1970, as I bought my first Mini in 1972 (two wheels before then) and don't remember needing one, though my parents' car had one.
Trafficators just popped out and lite up ie. Did not flash so conversion to indicator required a flasher relay in the wiring loom. As for boot keys I would almost certainly have one amongst the hundred of fs keys I have gained working and even owning A30/35 and others over the last 60 years in the trade.
The sunvisors are similar to the ones in the 1960morris minor that is now my son's. (didnt have a morris chassis plate on it thought.
I would leave it as found. They are only original once and this car is a time capsule! 🇨🇦
Dip switch was a silverybutton on the floorthasy you pressed with your foot next to clutch!
My first car back in 64 cost £130 reg UYA715 never forget
This car reminds me of the little Mazda 121 from the mid 90's !
The company on the Austin A 30 In Oak Street Fakenham is still in existence
He also bought a Standard Ten,he sold it to my uncle for £5 .😮
They will milk about 20 videos out of this purchase.
I was offered one of these for £20 when I passed my driving test in '73. To my eternal regret I turned it down as it lacked an MOT.
Also I thought it wouldn't 'pull the birds' which was quite important to an 18 year old.
I think you were right 😂
PPW was registered in Norfolk between Dec 53-Feb 54 (1st Jan 1954 they had issued PPW 154), yours will be maybe late January/February registered, Norwich County records office may hold the registration records for it which will help you if you do not have the VE60/RF60 log book, i was the previous DVLA officer of the said club & did many applications for owners to get their A30/A35 back on the system
Thank you. At the moment, we have no paperwork. A miracle could happen when we get into the boot, but I doubt it. I’ll be happy to find the starting handle.
@@UKBarnFinds I've found your website & sent you a message & contact details
@@UKBarnFinds The boot locks do seize due to the mazak & alloy etc
Not powerful enough for a drag racer needs a V8 dropped in and bigger wheels
my first car A35, the up market version. great little car, wish I'd kept it. the parking light goes over the window not the door. scratches paint. had one myself. just found your channel, will binge and catch up. keep them coming. 🙂
Glad you enjoyed the video and glad to have you on board 👍
In the 1970s, the economy was in dire straights and we had a socialist government which was incredibly interfering. We didn't realise back then but we still had the remains of a war time economy. If you wanted to go abroad, there were limits as to how much currency you could withdraw and take with you abroad, which amounted to £50 per adult. £50 was a goodly amount in 1971 and was certainly enough for a working man's foray to Spain etc. The rules were widely flouted. Lady Thatcher's government ended these controls in 1979.
Brilliant comment. Thank you. That part of the video makes sense now.
I loved seeing this at ACA, so much character! If you're still struggling with getting the boot open, you could try ordering some jigger keys, they're only cheap - I was able to get into my Austin 1300 with them. Best of luck with it 🙂
Cheers. I’ve just ordered some from Amazon, after reading this. I’ve got a couple of things to try first, but will try these if nothing else works. Now off to search RUclips vids on how to use them…
If they're wilmott breeden union locks look at the key barrel for a number bizzairly they stamped the barrels with the key number until about 1966 . Any good old school locksmith can make a key .
Used to use that parking light in Chester even in small side roads
I have just seen this video. What a find. It would be awesome to do an article for the club magazine. Would it be something that you would be interested in doing? Best regards. Jeff Carter Spotlight and Sidelights editor.
Hi Jeff, we would be interested; thank you. Would you be so kind as to visit our website www.ukbarnfinds.com and send us a message with your contact details via our ‘Contact Us’ form.
Had A30 back in the day, same engine as the Morris minor, if your going to revive yours please make follow-up videos. Arty
Hi Arty, thanks for watching. We made one after this, which we uploaded a few days ago. There’ll be more to follow, too 😀
question...
Why couldn't you wash the car? Why leave so much dirt on it?
We are going to give her a wash in the next video 👍
The switch that you thought was for the wipers is for the indicators.
Find an old biscuit tin to put the "Treasures" in. It has to be a tin mind
Good idea 👍
I would clean off all the crud and rub it down with a linseed oil. Cars are much more interesting when preserved rather than restored.
I agree! Hope you’ve seen the latest video. We’re still having this debate!
The service paper you have was from our local garage which is sadly no longer, it is now a Tesco.
It’s a shame that the business isn’t there anymore, but what a great spot by yourself. One of the reasons we like to show the bits we find. Thank you.
Love to see a clean up video, I had a Viva HA van in a similar state, 20 minutes with a jetwash transformed it 😁
Awesome! Did you film it, or just enjoy the moment?
It was over 20 years ago, so not filmed, but it was enjoyable!@@UKBarnFinds
Spent my childhood in an austin A35 van with rear windows. , wonderful memories
me too & we've still got it after 64 years ownership, we had someone travel in ours long before they became famous in a 80's band (& still touring now)
Those indicators on the side are called semaphores.
The `OT' number on the AA badge dates to around April 1956.
Thank you. I had no idea they could be dated like that.
Modern antifreeze used on merlin engines in 1940
The switch on the top of the dash is the indicator switch.
I was born in 17th march 1971😅😅good video new subscriber
You’re well old! (May ‘71, for me 😂). Welcome aboard. Glad to have you here. - Elton
I am sure a typical European British car like this actually means something to fellow European Brits, but to me (Continental European) this car does not mean anything. This in general goes for all typical British cars, apart from a few exceptions. They weren't very popular on the European Continent, since they tended to brake down a lot a rust away within a few years. It therefor is a little wonder that you actually found one in the condition it appears to be in. If this channel merely is going to be about British cars found in Brittan, than I am no longer interested of being a subscriber and I therefore will have to cancel my subscription.
Many thanks for your comment. We don’t just feature British cars. We have recently featured a Citroen 2CV, Datsun Cherry amongst others on our channel. Hope you stick around 👍
@@UKBarnFinds Alright then, I will give it another go. Let's see how interesting you actually can make it then.
Apart from the nostalgia trip it was amusing watching these youngsters reacting to things that were once commonplace.
I bet! Glad we gave you a laugh. Many thanks for your comment
I drove one of these back in the mid 60s
to open the boot undo the two bolts on the handle and you a large flat blade screwdriver to open.
he needs to open the boot to get to the nuts to remove the handle
The switch in the middle of the upper dash is the indicator/trafficator switch.
Thank you. Funnily enough, a mate texted me to say the same when he saw the video, so that’s handy to know.
I love those old Austin's, my first car was a 1957 Austin A50, 1500cc. I paid £40 for it in 1970 and ran it for 4 years, then sold it for a tenner. They do rust underneath but the engines and gearbox/clutch were good. Bench front seat and column change. The Armstrong lever action shock absorbers to the front were a weakness, when they broke down the front end never stopped rising and falling, made you feel sea sick.
Wish I still had one.
The baby Austin A30 was a lovely little car but not as practical for a family man sadly.
Hi do you have the cavalier 1.6L still. A second video is needed
We do and you’re right, a second video is overdue. We tried to get started last week; we bought a pump to siphon the tank, but it arrived damaged and now we’re waiting for a replacement. Wish I hadn’t opted for mail order now!
Great little car. Love your videos. Marc from Australia
Thank you, Marc. Say hello to my mum (she lives in South Australia)!
what a little gem of a car deserves some TLC really enjoyed the video thanks!!!
You’re very welcome. Thanks for letting us know you liked it. Seems like a popular little car!
@@UKBarnFinds with reference un-seizing the engine your bang on Diesel down the Bores let it penetrate then after 4-7 days rock her in gear!! gently!
Fantastic! I was 13 when this one came out, but remember when I was six my father drove a pick-up version of the Austin A30, I assume. That was in 1957.
My first car was an A35 from 1958.
Pay attention to the distrubutor - don't use fabric covered cables inside. Also, the rear brake slave cylinder is liable to seize , causing brake failure.
The boot can be opened by inserting a shim between the body and the boot lid.
I fitted hydraulic disks to the front and drums to the back.
Otherwise really easy to work on and find parts.
My Dad had one early 1960s also in that shade of green,he stopped buying British cars(unreliable) remember all the breakdowns ,bought Renault for the rest of his days.
indicator left and right on the dash
I loved that highly detailed maintenance book thing ... imagine the equivalent book for the cars of today lol 😂.!!
My dad had one, it was cream in colour, but he didn't like the colour. So with it parked on the street outside the house my dad and myself painted it black!. That was before the registration law of colours of cars.
I remember the morning of decimalisation, I was in my 3rd year of senior school, all the bright shiny new coins.
Hi guys what a lovely old car you have there. That big knob in the middle of the dash board might be the indicator switch I have an MGA and the switch is on the dash on the right side of the steering wheel. If the lock is rusted up on the boot If you grab hold of both sides of the boot at the bottom of the lid you can sometimes pop the boot open with a good pull. Good luck bringing her back to life I shall sub and look forward to up dates.👍🏻
I bought my first car in '66. I had the choice between a Ford Prefect 4-door and a 2 door A30. I chose the Ford but made a mistake because the gear stick kept jumping out of gear and into neutral. I've never seen one of those parking lights. I look forward to your next video on the A30
Going by PW it was first registered in the area of Norfolk / Norwich Town. I agree with what you said about oiling down the body to keep the original patina look.
When I purchased a 1977 Allegro Estate in 2004 I found under the rear seat a half bottle of DALLAS aftershave. From the time when Dallas was on TV I would have thought. ...".You've a bloody book, have a look".... "not now" 😅 I do like to watch a good domestic😅
But a good team regardless. 👍
Can't wait to see what's in the boot.
Yes, this was a Norfolk car. Well spotted! Claire and I do have our moments, I guess. She’d still be in there now, if she had her way. I can’t risk her cleaning that back window, though 😳
P.S. Allegro Estates are super cool!
@@UKBarnFinds it was fun and light hearted, just reminded me of the Italian Job, " you're only suppose to blow the bloody doors off" you have your own famous line now. Lol 😂
Looking forward to your next video already 👍
You should have seen her face when I said she couldn’t get in an Opel Commodore today, as it had been cleaned. Priceless 😂 Thanks for the support. Claire and I read all the comments and it helps us to keep pushing on. RUclips is hard work, but sharing cars and moments with like-minded people is what keeps it fun 👍🏻
@3.16, A little tip, pour Coca-Cola down the bores & let it soak & hopefully it'll free off the engine
Nice work. You guys are getting better and better with each video - love the banter between you. Elton I’m disappointed you didn’t try some French pronunciation - did Eric Rayment teach you nothing? 😂
He taught me that a blackboard rubber can reach 60mph quicker than any Maserati, when thrown correctly! 😂
Please restore it to its glory
@7.12 Looks like someone has fitted a Morris Minor gear knob
I’ll have a look. Funnily enough, I bought a box of car parts about 6 months ago and there are some A30 bits in it (it was fate!). I think there may be a couple of gear knobs.
@@UKBarnFinds it's like a mushroom looking knob
@20.57, trafficator switch, wiper, panel & heater switches are next to the ignition switch
@20.15, 4 speed & lift reverse, the correct gear knob has it shown on the top
My first car was a 35