Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Richard H]

Spotted this on Ebay, and went to have a look at it today:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AUSTIN-A55-BLACK-/170516051993?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item27b38c7819#ht_500wt_947

It seems good for the price, although I don't know very much about these cars. The paint is shabby and it's seen some welding but seems generally sound, has good chrome and a decent interior. I couldn't hear the engine running as the owner wasn't at home, but the door was unlocked so I noticed there was a good 4-5 inches of play at the steering wheel...

It also has an age related plate which I'm not too keen on, but you can't have everything these days.

Anyone had any experience of these? What do I look out for?
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Richard Hughes

[Rick]

I've been watching that one too, out of curiosity to see what it makes rather than an interest in bidding. It does look quite smart. They do have an unusual rot point - the tops of the rear wings, near where they join the roof. Otherwise its the usual sills, boot floor and so on to look at.

Running gear is bog-standard B Series (the same 1489cc unit as in the first of the Farina A55s) so no real worries there.

It mentions a sun roof, my guess is that was an option as I don't recall seeing one before.

RJ
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[Richard H]

The sunroof did look like an original factory option rather than a later addition, very similar to the optional A40 Somerset sunroof. The headlining had been trimmed round it and it did look quite neat.

I think the rear wing tops had seen the "rub down the rust and apply filler" technique a few times but they didn't look too bad. The owner said he was only selling because he was more into Fords. He said there was a fibreglass front wing included although both the original (steel I think) wings were in good condition, so I don't really know why it was included.

It has got a short MOT, so I'll just watch it and see if there's a chance of a bargain. The only obvious MOT issue is the steering box at this stage, but maybe it could be adjusted.
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Richard Hughes

[Rick]

[Richard H]

[Richard H]

I went to have another look at this today, and I'm unsure what to do. Firstly the car drives very well, and I suspect it has a 1622 engine fitted. The steering isn't too bad on the move and is very light. It has a brand new stainless steel exhaust fitted and a set of new tyres. Minus points, the clutch slips under acceleration, and there is a slight pull under braking. There are some new old stock brake shoes in the boot, and a few other bits and pieces.

Looking through the paperwork I see it has been a local car all its life, first registered as PJN 656. This number was lost/sold at some point in the early 80's and it was re-registered as AJN 41A. It was again re-registered in the 1990's as VSK 997.

I wonder if the original number could be reclaimed? I have searched for it on the insurance database and numberplate sales sites and it's not currently for sale or on an insured car. I'm wondering whether it missed the 1983 computerisation cutoff date?
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Richard Hughes

[Rick]

Not long to go now, just 4hrs or so to run - I guess regarding the number, it's best to assume that it's long gone and irretrievable. If you find that you can get it back, then great, but I wouldn't be too hopeful.

A friend of mine tried to do something similar, coincidentally also with an A55 (project car) like that. The number had been replaced a long time ago, although it still wore its original plates. There was no sign of the original number on any online searches, but DVLA couldn't/wouldn't ?? allocate it back to the Austin.

Am I right in thinking that if someone takes a number off, and puts it on retention, they have to renew the retention annually? What happens if they forget, does the number get freed up again, and potentially available to put back on the car it was once removed from??

RJ
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[victor 101]

Never done it myself but I think your right in saying that it has to be renewed every 12 months.

[Richard H]

[Rick]

Nice one, I was wondering what had happened with the auction and I'd missed your update. Any plans for it - regular user, instead of the A35??

RJ
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[andycars]

Hi Richard,
Well done on your latest aquisition - beautiful looking seats which is a major benefit.
I think if you drop a line to DVLA they will advise whether the number has been reallocated to another vehicle - if not, it'd be worth joining one of the clubs to try to get the number back with the car.
Andrew

[Jim.Walker]

In the motorbike world obtaining (non-transferrable) original registrations for "barn finds" etc. is still quite common.
Posession of evidence of original registration, such as documents or an old tax disc is essential. Unfortunately, many Local Authorities have destroyed or lost their old (pre-DVLA) records. If so I believe all is lost, though it may still be possible to get an age related plate based on manufacturers markings.
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Quote from my late Dad:- You only need a woman and a car and you have all the problems you
are ever likely to want". Computers had not been invented then!

[andycars]

I put PJN 656 into https://www.mycarcheck.com and the number was not on their database. I would think this is good news - if it hasn't been put on another vehicle, you stand a better chance of retrieval through the appropriate channel (club rep?).
Andrew

[Richard H]

Andy - thanks, I'll have to contact the DVLA. The seats, along with the whole interior have been retrimmed professionally in leather at some point in the '80's I would guess, they are very dirty though and need a good clean. All the chrome is polishing up a treat and the bumpers look like replacement items

Jim - All the original registration records for Southend Council after 1946 have not survived - I know, because I checked at the Essex Record Office. There is no paperwork showing the original registration apart from a tax disc application form from 1984. This showed someone in Shoebury to have been the owner then, I went round and knocked on the door but there was no answer

Rick - no plans as yet, it's just another addition to the fleet (you know how it is)

Some recent pictures:





The grill was so tarnished it took over an hour of solid polishing with metal polish to get any form of shine from it To see how it was before have a look at the top picture - it really was that bad!



A couple of things have come to light recently, one is it has a reconditioned 1500 engine fitted, secondly the dashboard has been completely redesigned with the ignition switch, wipers, lights etc mounted in a new panel under the original switch panel, which now holds an ammeter and warning lights. This has been done so well it looks almost original.

As a final note, when I saw the original registration number, I was reminded of this:



Note the reg numbers of the front row...and they did have A55's, ths was taken in 1962...I'm waiting for the Essex Police Musuem curator to ring me back...
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Richard Hughes

[Rick]

Very interesting. A couple of years back I was contacted by a club - either for Police vehicle enthusiasts, or a motor club for ex-Police officers, I can't remember which offhand. They sent me a copy of their club mag - Sidestripe - after reproducing something off the main site in their articles. It might be worth doing a search online to see if you can find any contact details.

RJ
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