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gresham flyer
Joined: 06 Sep 2008 Posts: 1435
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Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2013 2:09 am Post subject: Austin A30 Van found,purchased and its life story. |
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The above photo shows the garage in Hartington nr Ashbourne Derbyshire where this van started its life in 1956.
As found after a twelve year slumber in a garage.
She ran and drove.!!! |
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COMMAD
Joined: 12 Dec 2011 Posts: 176 Location: Gold Coast. Australia
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Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2013 3:37 am Post subject: |
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Really nice find, good luck with resto. |
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Rick Site Admin
Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22446 Location: UK
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Roger-hatchy
Joined: 07 Dec 2007 Posts: 2135 Location: Tiptree, Essex
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Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2013 8:36 am Post subject: |
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What's with the 'push'hook on the front.
Nice find again. |
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gresham flyer
Joined: 06 Sep 2008 Posts: 1435
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Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2013 9:28 am Post subject: |
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On the afternoon of Sunday 24th February my latest purchase arrived at my property an Austin A30 Van 1956.
The above photo shows the location of Bassetts Garage Hartington Derbyshire where on the 11th April 1956 the life of this little van started its life and travels with its different owners..
Initially registered by the garage on the 4th April 1956 (they all did this in those day`s)
Sold on the 11th April 1956.
Make...Austin.
Colour ... Cream.
Type of body...Van.
Propelled by....Petrol.
Chassis number....AV4-185036.
Engine number...185036
803cc.
This was later removed by the 3rd owner and a larger engine of 948cc fitted...engine number 186002.
The reason being that he took to continental touring towing a hand crafted crafted caravan behind the van,hence the fitment of towbars front and rear.
The speedometer reads 94357 which I am told is correct. A nice figure for a 1956 vehicle,used but not abused..
She was sold to the Rev Robert Orpe Higginson a local clergyman who lived in Westfield Leek Staffs.
On the 1st Oct 1956 he moved to Horncastle to take up a local posting.
Later in September 1960 he moved back to Wetton Nr Hartington and brought the van along with him. |
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gresham flyer
Joined: 06 Sep 2008 Posts: 1435
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Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2013 9:31 am Post subject: |
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On the afternoon of Sunday 24th February my latest purchase arrived at my property an Austin A30 Van 1956.
The above photo shows the location of Bassetts Garage Hartington Derbyshire where on the 11th April 1956 the life of this little van started its life and travels with its different owners..
Initially registered by the garage on the 4th April 1956 (they all did this in those day`s)
Sold on the 11th April 1956.
Make...Austin.
Colour ... Cream.
Type of body...Van.
Propelled by....Petrol.
Chassis number....AV4-185036.
Engine number...185036
803cc.
This was later removed by the 3rd owner and a larger engine of 948cc fitted...engine number 186002.
The reason being that he took to continental touring towing a hand crafted crafted caravan behind the van,hence the fitment of towbars front and rear.
The speedometer reads 94357 which I am told is correct. A nice figure for a 1956 vehicle,used but not abused..
She was sold to the Rev Robert Orpe Higginson a local clergyman who lived in Westfield Leek Staffs.
On the 1st Oct 1956 he moved to Horncastle to take up a local posting.
Later in September 1960 he moved back to Wetton Nr Hartington and brought the van along with him. |
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gresham flyer
Joined: 06 Sep 2008 Posts: 1435
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Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2013 9:36 am Post subject: |
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Seen here being loaded up outside the property where she had been garaged for the last twelve years.
This afternoon when she arrived at my property after a 100 mile journey on the back of a transporter.
She has spent the last twelve years sleeping in a garage.
Surprisingly she starts and drives as the owner moved her in and out of the garage on a regular basis.
As can be seen she has that Wallace and Grommit look,perhaps carried out long before the other van was created.
Under the brown waxoil she is very solid and original (I wish the previous owner had left the paintwork alone) |
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gresham flyer
Joined: 06 Sep 2008 Posts: 1435
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Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2013 9:39 am Post subject: |
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Carrying on with her story she was then sold to a Mr Arthur Clowes of Folly Rest Leekfrith Nr Leek Derbyshire on the 13th June 1963 obviously surviving the hard winter,especially in Derbyshire.
You can imagine her slipping and sliding up and down those hilly roads taking the Rev Higginson on his travels before he parted with her in the summer.
On the 11th February 1964 she moved onto the ownership of a Mr Christopher Bayliss,an engineer and what seems to be a constructor of all sorts of things.
He built a small caravan to tow behind the van.
I think he may have been a member of the Austin A30/A35 club as there is an old looking club badge on the front grill. |
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gresham flyer
Joined: 06 Sep 2008 Posts: 1435
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Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2013 9:44 am Post subject: |
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gresham flyer
Joined: 06 Sep 2008 Posts: 1435
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Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2013 9:47 am Post subject: |
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Mr Bayliss fitted the towbars front and rear. As an engineer he built all types of things.
The towbar was for a small caravan he built and towed with the van all over Europe. the towbar on the front was used when the mountain roads got too steep and he would reverse up them towing his caravan.
I have found under the carpet a receipt for items purchased in France on the 15 -08-1966,some wine labels etc.
This ties in with his travels abroad
Many other gadgets are fitted to the van. |
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Rick Site Admin
Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22446 Location: UK
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Greg
Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 445 Location: Dreamland Margate
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Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2013 11:33 am Post subject: |
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Lovely Austin, and as Rick says, great to have the history of the vehicle.
Good luck with it and will look forward to seeing more of it.
All the best,
Greg |
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RUSTON
Joined: 07 Mar 2011 Posts: 144 Location: Matlock.
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Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2013 11:46 pm Post subject: |
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Interesting, I thought that Bassetts only had the old garage on the opposite side of the road to that one (now a sheepskin shop I believe) but as always you learn something new. One of our Club member's works at that garage now, and I own a powered hacksaw that Mr Bassett and a Walter Birch used to construct a Flying Flea aircraft before the last war!
Pete. _________________ Measure twice...cut once! |
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gresham flyer
Joined: 06 Sep 2008 Posts: 1435
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Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2013 2:19 am Post subject: |
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gresham flyer
Joined: 06 Sep 2008 Posts: 1435
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Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2013 2:23 am Post subject: |
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Mr Bayliss fitted the towbars front and rear. As an engineer he built all types of things.
The towbar was for a small caravan he built and towed with the van all over Europe. the towbar on the front was used when the mountain roads got too steep and he would reverse up them towing his caravan.
I have found under the carpet a receipt for items purchased in France on the 15 -08-1966,some wine labels etc.
This ties in with his travels abroad
Many other gadgets are fitted to the van.
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