1. An early AS3 Austin A30.
A slice of familiar British motoring history features on this page, in the cuddly form of BMC's Austin A30. Look closely at the first photograph, and it becomes clear that this is quite a rare version of the Austin A30, and unlike the majority of A30s that have somehow survived to the present day. The car shown below is an AS3, the model code for the very earliest A30s, and were the first car to be powered by the A-Series engine, then sporting 803 cubic centimetres. They differ from later cars in a number of ways - most obvious being the fuel filler cap mounted in the rear wing area (later A30s have their filler cap in the rear panel), and just visible, a different style of hubcap when compared to the later A30, and replacement A35. Photo #6, further down this page, is also an example of the AS3.
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Not visible in this photo, but the front chrome grille is slightly smaller on the AS3, with a separate winged badge mounted above the grille, just below the bonnet opening. Inside, the trim is different from later versions, and one's progress is monitored via a circular speedometer, rather than the squarer unit fitted later on. The car shown below is not 100% standard, as someone has fitted flashing direction indicators - the A30 came with just the pop-up semaphore variety as standard. Chrome wing mirrors, mounted just behind the Lucas sidelights, have also been fitted. More information on the A30 can be seen on this A30 website.
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2. A later example of an A30.
Next, a front-end shot of a light coloured Austin A30 (AS4), loaded with passengers and parked at the side of a road. Note the lack of flashing indicators - A30s were equipped with the "pop up" Lucas trafficators, or semaphore indicators, from start to finish. Only the updated A35 would feature flashing indicators as factory fitment. This example has extra wing mirrors fitted, plus an AA badge and early style of RAC badge too. Note the sit-up-and-beg Ford Popular in the background, and a couple of cyclists wobbling down the centre of the road.
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3. A rolled A30.
The following three photos show a black Austin A30 two door saloon, looking a little worse for wear having rolled over and landed in a field. Bits of Austin are scattered around the scenery (note the battery sat in the grass to the left), and the door has also parted company with the rest of the car. A30s and A35s were quite prone to rolling over due to their narrow track, this being a classic example of the trait. To begin with, a photo of the adjoining road and the A30's final skid marks as it careered through a hedge into the field.
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Presumably this is how the A30 ended up, on its side having comprehensively destroyed itself.
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Back on its wheels, it still looks pretty secondhand to me.
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4. Austin A30 registration PXR 435.
Next, two photos of what I believe to be the same Austin A30, registration PXR 435, dating it to January 1955 onwards. The first photo shows this 2 door example parked at the roadside, note the lack of road markings and the shop windows in the background. PXR has been fitted with a single Lucas SFT576 lamp, and an assortment of motoring badges, including ones for both the AA and RAC. The bonnet plinth looks to be a little tarnished in this shot, whereas in photo number 2 it looks quite shiny. The RAC badge in the first photo looks like a later, circular example, whereas in the second photo it sports the earlier diamond-shaped version.
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Photograph 2 shows the A30 with its earlier RAC badge - just visible - and also a radio aerial fitted to the car's scuttle, suggesting a date slightly different to the snapshot shown above. The top of a bumper overrider can also be made out, something not fitted to the A30 in the earlier picture.
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5. A four door A30 at a picnic.
This next shot shows a rear three-quarter view of a four-door Austin A30, parked up while its owners enjoy a roadside picnic. Just out of shot to the right is a Ford 100E Prefect. The A30's registration is HCL 929, a Norwich number first issued in December 1954.
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6. Another early (AS3) A30.
George sent over a few photos, one of which is of a family-owned AS3-type A30. This well-used example is registered GFX 835 (Dorset), which puts it as a 1953 example of the breed. George is shown stood alongside the Austin, peering down at something of interest. The photo dates to about 1963, so the car was around ten years old at the time of this photograph, which is borne out by the wear and tear evident to the paintwork by this time.
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There's no sign of this car on DVLA's system, so sadly it probably no longer exists. A30s and A35s have an enthusiastic following, with many still in use (and equally a good number requiring significant restoration before they'll see the road again). Many are being turned into pint-sized racers, thanks to the HRDC's Academy racing series, designed to encourage wannabee historic racers to dip their toe into this increasingly popular sport.
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Thanks for the photo George.
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7. A 1954 AS4 A30.
Thanks to John now for this next photo from his family album, in which a shiny black A30 stars alongside his father:
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"My Dad Kenneth Cornforth with his first brand new car in 1954, an Austin A30 2-door saloon, JDP658. This was a company car, he was 28 and working for the Southern Electricity Board at Reading in those days. The job involved being out and about looking at power lines as well as being in the office. I don't know where the seaside location was."
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I wonder if anyone recognises the location? The A30 has no bumper overriders, so may well have been a base model.
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Return to the old transport photos - Page 5.
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