Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

admin · Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Posts: 925

Evening all

Ok as promised to a couple of you, pics of the Austin 10 that we went and retrieved from Somerset on Thursday. Condition is as expected for a 72 year old car, paint is a bit crusty (it had a brush repaint in the early 60s) but structure is actually very good. Needs a new hood but remainder of trim is probably re-usable with TLC. Engine turns over, not tried to get it running yet.

cheers
Rick

PS buzzy bee got to work on the grille yesterday and it came up looking pretty good for its age, ta!

Very Happy

buzzy bee · Guest

No probs, I love anything to do with old cars and especially small austins!

I think this austin is in very good original condition, will make a good little runner.

Uncle Joe · Guest

I agree with buzzy, it looks like you have a very nice motor on your hands. Keep us all informed.

admin · Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Posts: 925

Er indoors insists that it should be painted, but I prefer ratty original - who is right???????? I spose it could be painted one day, but I'd happily run it as-is for now..!

RJ
Cool

buzzy bee · Guest

I do have an oppinion but am going to stay impartial on this one, so No coment!!

Uncle Joe · Guest

Leave it as it is until you have been on a coachpainting course....

admin · Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Posts: 925

yup I'm happy to leave it alone, and let it wear its age on its sleeve so to speak!! so long as structurally its ok, that'll do me for now.

Plan is to see how well it will run first, having not been run since 1971 and not fully on the road since the early/mid 60s.

RJ

Uncle Joe · Guest

Quite right! I´ll bet that theres a lot of 72 year olds that dont look as good!

And some of them have had facelifts!

admin · Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Posts: 925

Well, after a day or so of fiddling, we got it running!

Firstly I went through the electrical side of things, making sure the points were good and clean. The HT leads were shot, so I made up a new set, re-using the existing Lodge plug caps that were in good condition. The plugs (Champion 7, 18mm) were deemed usable, although I'd like to get a new set in sometime. The points were dismantled and cleaned up, and the carb checked over, jets blown through etc. The oil, while clean, was also next to useless, so was drained out and replaced, I also cleaned out the removable filter that is housed within the sump pan.

Despite what looked like a healthy spark, we couldn't quite get it to fire up properly. Compressions looked ok, and the plugs were getting wet (using a temporary fuel feed til the tank gets drained of old fuel).

In the end we put a replacement coil on, just in case, and it fired up straight away. Surprising really as it was showing a decent spark across the plugs.

Once the smoke had cleared (from oil poured down the bores to free up rings etc) it ran sweetly, although it did highlight a few more jobs for the list. The rad leaks a bit, and the clutch is firmly stuck. Still, it was nice to hear it run finally!!

I also need to find some 4.50x18 tyres as one of the originals exploded the other day.

Rick

Uncle Joe · Guest

Rick, it just so happens that I know where there are a number of brand spanking new 4.50 x 18 tyres... I think that the brand is Excelsior, but I´m not sure. Do you want the mail address or phone number?

admin · Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Posts: 925

Hi UJ, yeah if you could send me the details pls. I don't mind fitting some used ones for now, so long as they are in good nick. I've seen tyres listed with some specialist tyre suppliers, inc Excelsior I think

ta
Rick

Stuchamp · Guest

What did I tell ya! LOL Laughing

Glad to hear it went well. Now if we only had a sound byte.

Here's a link for vintage tires on this side of the pond.........
http://www.coker.com & http://www.universaltire.com/

admin · Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Posts: 925

hehe hi Stuchamp

Next time I fire it up, I'll record some footage on my digi camera and put up a link to it somewhere Smile

Rick.

buzzy bee · Guest

So you will be driving it to the next show will you?!!

No sounds good, glad it is running and now need to keep fettling it to MOT standard, I will give you some honey in trade for a ride in the little car when it is done, you know I like little austins!!

Uncle Joe · Guest

Rick, one thing did strike me. Isn´t it strange how 18inch wheels on your Austin are considered "old fashioned," but if you fit 18 inchers to a modern car, they are considered to be fashionable?