Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22446 Location: UK

I'm in two minds about this re-engined 1935 Austin.

On the one hand it may make it a lot more usable (handy as it's been used for weddings). On the other, some of its originality has gone for good most likely. Does it really matter?

Personally it's not something I'd do. However if I bought it (not likely), I'd probably leave it as it is, and maybe hunt down the correct motor for it so that it was "in stock" - just in case I changed my mind further down the line. Very presentable car though, although the colours (inside and out) are a little bright for me...

Thoughts?

http://bit.ly/K6MtTB

(Photo won't show)

RJ
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mikeC · Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 6:10 pm Post subject:

I would have thought a 1300cc crossflow would struggle in the old Austin, but it doesn't seem to be putting bidders off... although it would certainly put me off Confused

BigJohn · Joined: 01 Jan 2011 Posts: 954 Location: Wem, Shropshire

A 1300 gt xflow is 75bhp, and dependent on the diff should lug an Austin 18, but possibly with a prodigious thirst. I'd buy it and just keep the bonnet shut in polite company. (or should that be impolite company?)

petermeachem · Joined: 23 Sep 2013 Posts: 358 Location: Chichester Sussex

It's not going to sound right is it? £3k sounds rather a lot for the engine.

Ellis · Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 11:58 pm Post subject:

mikeC · Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 11:50 am Post subject:

colwyn500 · Joined: 21 Oct 2012 Posts: 1745 Location: Nairn, Scotland

In compensation for all the detractions, the price is looking good for such a big old Austin.
For the purpose it has been put to I think it would be a good arrangement.
I too suspect there would be driveability issues but surely it will have enough poke to pull the car for wedding purposes.
I once read an article in Practical Classics or similar, where a very enterprising man had fitted a small Daihatsu diesel in a 1937 Austin Ten. It might have been a two or three-cylinder.
The driving review was very favourable and the adaptation had been carried out with great skill and attention to detail The car looked no different externally but was easily capable of 70mph in comparison with 50 mph these days being at the top end of a fair cruising speed for one of these.

Kenham · Joined: 12 Mar 2012 Posts: 209 Location: Kent

I wish I had enough money to have bought that just so I could take the engine out! Imagine just getting married and that abortion turned up.Still everyone to their own.

mikeC · Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 7:28 pm Post subject:

Sold for £9600, which I would have thought was plenty for a good original example; just shows how out-of-touch I am...

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22446 Location: UK

PAUL BEAUMONT · Joined: 27 Nov 2007 Posts: 1281 Location: Barnsley S. Yorks

Hey Kelham be fair it could be worse, a Beauford could turn up!! there I bet that will upset someone! Embarassed

Paul

mid · Joined: 10 Jun 2008 Posts: 136 Location: Northampton

unfortunately most of the time the bride and groom have absolutely no idea about the car - they just want it to look good for the photos

anyone with any knowledge of cars can instantly see a beauford is not an authentic 1930's vehicle but to the untrained eye it looks like one.

we try to advertise that our cars are authentic, and original (in the most part - we've added electric cooling fans and indicators etc but they retain the original engine and running gear etc) but this doesn't seem to hold that much weight with a bride.

we get asked with every booking we take "will it make it?" it appears to be the opinion that all old cars are unreliable! so if you can tell them that it has a modern engine then that would probably work in your favour.

personally i love the fact our cars are original and would do anything to keep them that way - i'm not against modifications for reliability though. One of the main issues we have is that i cant lay the car up for a long period of time while we source and repair parts - we have weddings spaced throughout the year and even in the quieter winter period there are all the exhibitions so we have to work quickly and under pressure to make any repairs.

i feel that Austin was a bit overpriced for what it was but it would work very well as a wedding car - as much as i dont like it, the colour is right too for the industry...and a 3K bill for swapping an engine out of an escort? seems excessive! my other point to make is yes, the ford engine is 'modern' in comparison to the original Austin but would you consider an old 70s/80's escort to be the most reliable vehicle?

colwyn500 · Joined: 21 Oct 2012 Posts: 1745 Location: Nairn, Scotland

Extremely well summarised "mid" by someone who is obviously well placed to judge the matter.

Kenham · Joined: 12 Mar 2012 Posts: 209 Location: Kent

Yes Paul that would be a lot worse , he he, if I had the money I would buy one of those and scrap it ! I may be a bit different than a lot of people as I earn my living with old machinery, usually a lot more reliable than new, easy and quick to repair if you carry the basic spares. From what I remember of my fathers xflow escort it was the most unreliable damned thing he ever owned. Well as I am getting married later this year it looks like we will stick to the Ford ten van in case a thirties car turns up with a diesel engine under the bonnet. lol Ken

MVPeters · Joined: 28 Aug 2008 Posts: 822 Location: Northern MA, USA

This Bentley is a shell on a Chevy Caprice (shortened) chassis. There is much bondo present. It is trailered to most weddings & overheats easily. It is the pride of the fleet because:

it's EXACTLY what brides want & will pay big money for.

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