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Austin A55 Cambridge Mk2 1959
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Rick
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Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22429
Location: UK

PostPosted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 6:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

This last week or so I've given the A55 a good scrub up, and even vacuumed the old girl's interior, prior to the Kelsall show tomorrow that we're booked in to. Cosmetically its a bit tired but I don't mind this 49 year old car looking its age really, and as a regular-user it isn't really important.

With it up on ramps today I also gave the underside a good checking over. Amazingly it has never been welded underneath, testament to the aviation-spec anti-corrosive stuff that the previous owner used to spray underneath it. I slopped on some Waxoyl here and there, mainly to the outer edges of the floor and inner sills, but by and large it was already nice and oily under there and didn't need too much replacing.

I've put about 600 miles on it since buying it early in April and touch wood (!) it seems to be running nicely.

As I like to read a bit about other cars on display at shows, I've just put together an A4 sheet that can go in the windscreen tomorrow, giving a potted history of the Austin for anyone who wants to read a little about it.



Anyone else been busy in their garage(s) lately???? Smile

Rick
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buzzy bee



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 3382
Location: South Cheshire

PostPosted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 9:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi

I don't think I will be at Kelsall, a bit busy with other bits, Take a few pics of the Steam engines for me?

I have been in the garage, put the battery on charge for a top up, only an hour or so, whilst I put the canvas frame and canvas on the back. I took the canvas out into the yard to unfold it all, then dragged it in the garage to put on the ford, whilst dragging, I managed to overturn a bucket of waste oil! duh!! Crying or Very sad

I had a bag of play sand, so stuck most of that on it, and gave it a rub, and left it be, closed the door and drove off. We will see what it is like tomorow perhaps!

Having problems starting the Ford on the starter again for some reason, but it is starting to ppp me of a bit now, so have just taken to using the handle.

Cheers and have fun at Kelsall

Dave
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Rick
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Joined: 27 Apr 2005
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Location: UK

PostPosted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Harley, Lid & I went up to Kelsall yesterday and met up with dad en route, as planned.

The day started overcast, and we had an hour or so of rain mid-day, but that cleared and the remainder of the day was fine. Here are a few pics of the Austin and Wolseley throughout the day, more pics from Kelsall later!

Shortly after the heavens had finished drenching us, its times like this that you spot leaky window rubbers Smile


Later on, the sun is shining and the steam brigade had come out to play!


At 4pm it was time for the cars to drive around the display ring, I followed Lid & dad in the Wolseley, while Harley had his feed


End of the day and time to pack up


RJ
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Rick
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PostPosted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 7:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Popped out to Halfords today and bought their last tin of Classic 20/50, came home and treated the old dear to a fresh sump of oil and a crisp new filter. The old oil looked fairly black so it was well due a change. Fiddliest bit of all was persuading the replacement filter (filter element within a canister) back onto the engine, as it had to be done from underneath. The filter goes on at an angle, so removing it too quickly would result in a stream of old oil down your shirt sleeve, something I managed to avoid by slackening the filter a little and letting some oil drip down into a bowl before removing it fully.

R
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Uncle Joe
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 11:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Asking purely out of curiousity, how is the spares situation for these nowadys? As usual for me, I'm thinking more about body or repair panels than anything else. What is/isnt available?
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Rick
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 11:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

So far I've not needed much, and it came with a mountain of spares. Mechanical parts seem to be cheap and plentiful still, body parts a little thin on the ground but I'm told repair sections are available for the body, so I don't foresee any issues there either. Earlpart can supply much of this.

I nearly bought a ratty A60 on ebay the other day for its nice red leather interior, but it bid up a little too high in the end. Thats all I'm looking for at the mo. Currently it has later grey vinyl seats from a late A60 in it.

Rick
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Uncle Joe
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 12:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Incidentally, you mention the use of 20/50. According to the old Castrol lube chart that I have just found, the recommended oil for an A55 in summer is an SAE30. Castrol XL to be precise...oh, and whatever oil you use MUST be a low detergent type, engine damage can result with the high detergent ones....
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Rick
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 12:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

20/50 is good enough for the job I think, and yes it is low detergent - none of the modern gloop for this old B Series Smile

R

[UJ's oil discussion now split into its own thread. RJ]
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Uncle Joe
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PostPosted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 8:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Being full of questions tonight, do you happen to know who the real makers of the Halfords oil is? Are there any indications on the can?

Going slightly off this topic, I can only ever remember seeing UK A55/A60's with floor change, but I have been told that there were column change versions as well, as well as an overdrive option. Can anyone confirm or deny this?
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Rick
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PostPosted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 8:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It does mention column change as an option in the '59 brochure I have somewhere, although most (like mine) seem to be a four-on-the-floor, as opposed to being up a tree.

Not sure who does the Halfords oil, although the colour does look very Duckhams-like. I had a look in a BMC handbook today and various grades of oil were specified as being ok for the UK market, and Duckhams 20/50 did also receive the factory seal of approval.

cheers, R
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Uncle Joe
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PostPosted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 8:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Any mention of an overdrive option?
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Penman



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 4751
Location: Swindon, Wilts.

PostPosted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 9:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi
Uncle Joe wrote:
Any mention of an overdrive option?

Not sure about the Farina but the pre-Farina A55 certainly did, I had one, I think it was a Borg Warner setup which also incorporated a freewheel setting like Rovers had.
Used to a bit hairy if you forgot the freewheel was on and came to a steep downhill because you had to be driving the rear wheels in order to turn it off.
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andycars



Joined: 03 Dec 2007
Posts: 239
Location: South Wales

PostPosted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 5:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Rick,
On the Car and Classic forum there is someone breaking a 1960 Series V Oxford with a red interior. Wondered whether the seats would be any good for your Cambridge?
Andrew
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Rick
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Joined: 27 Apr 2005
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Location: UK

PostPosted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 5:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Andrew, ah righty thanks, any chance of the url? I did a quick search but didn't spot a forum with that name

ta, Rick Smile
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buzzy bee



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
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Location: South Cheshire

PostPosted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 6:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi

There is this one, I koined a while back, haven't been on for ages and have lost my logon, could this be the one?

Cheers

Dave
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