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Austin A55
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Ray White



Joined: 02 Dec 2014
Posts: 7128
Location: Derby

PostPosted: Sat Apr 12, 2025 2:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

A result!

I thought you had priced it right.

Wink
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Richard H



Joined: 03 Apr 2009
Posts: 2150
Location: Lincolnshire, UK

PostPosted: Mon Aug 25, 2025 9:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

That's a beauty. Glad it went to a good home.
Older members of the forum will probably remember my rotten, black A55 I bought when I was 19, well 15 years later I still have it stored away but there hasn't been any progress for eight years even though most of the welding is now done, and I've made a start putting it back together.
Two years ago I got offered another, genuine 'garage find' having been laid up since it failed its MoT in 1987. A nice Tweed Grey matching numbers car so I bought that as well then discovered it was actually quite rotten as well.
That also sits awaiting its turn in the queue. Both cars are dry stored so they aren't deteriorating. Unfortunately, more and more cars keep joining the project queue which isn't helping.
I did acquire a huge amount of A50/55 spares a little while ago which should help with the restoration of both cars.
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Richard Hughes
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Ray White



Joined: 02 Dec 2014
Posts: 7128
Location: Derby

PostPosted: Mon Aug 25, 2025 9:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Richard, I remember your struggle to keep that black A55 alive. What I found with my own car (that I gave to my Brother when I got my first Company car) was the rear wings were the first thing to go. Even at a quite a low milage, there was a line of rust bubbles along the top edge of the near side rear wing.

Your experience showed us all just how badly the corrosion could get if left to it's own devices.

If only Austin had given their cars good rust prevention at the time!!
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badhuis



Joined: 20 Aug 2008
Posts: 1469
Location: Netherlands

PostPosted: Mon Aug 25, 2025 10:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ray White wrote:
Richard, I remember your struggle to keep that black A55 alive. What I found with my own car (that I gave to my Brother when I got my first Company car) was the rear wings were the first thing to go. Even at a quite a low milage, there was a line of rust bubbles along the top edge of the near side rear wing.

Your experience showed us all just how badly the corrosion could get if left to it's own devices.

If only Austin had given their cars good rust prevention at the time!!

So true. I went to inspect a A95 Westminster about 25 years ago. This was quite an exciting find as these cars are very rare over here (Netherlands), especially when they were delivered here new (so LHD) and still have the original registration. Maybe one or two are known at the club.
But it was in a horrible condition, probably because it had been in a damp shed for thirty years. All chrome very bad, all panels rotten, top of the rear wings non-existent. And the owner (standing next to the car) saying the car was very rare (true) wanted a lot of money for it.
Not for me then.

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About a year ago the car was advertised, now for a far more acceptable sum. But still too far gone for me. I do hope it survived though.


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Ray White



Joined: 02 Dec 2014
Posts: 7128
Location: Derby

PostPosted: Mon Aug 25, 2025 11:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

To be honest, if it were mine, I would give it away to anyone with a serious intent to restore it. The longer it languishes the less likely that is ever going to happen.

On a more positive note, one of my customers was enthusiastic when he acquired a low milage A95 Westminster in excellent condition.

Waxoil treatment was, of course, the order of the day. Very Happy
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