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1952 Austin A90 Atlantic
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Rick
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Joined: 27 Apr 2005
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PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 12:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

A few photos of George's A90 project have been on the main site for some time now, here:
http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/story_austin_a90.htm

RJ
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Rick
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 16, 2012 3:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Rich, any progress with the Atlantic to report?

cheers, RJ
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Kelsham



Joined: 18 Jan 2009
Posts: 349
Location: Llandrindod Wells Powys

PostPosted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 10:51 am    Post subject: Austin Atlantic Reply with quote

Well done, the Atlantic looks really good.

I owned one years ago. I only parted with it because of the disconcerting way the fuel gauge dropped to empty, also the wife did not like driving it as it was heavy.

For some reason the clutch seemed as it had come from a large lorry. My friend who had owned a similiar model assured me his was much lighter.

Earlier my friend had let me drive his car and it was the first car I drove in excess of 80 mph.

He gave me some advice before letting me loose. He told me to take care on bends as I would find that I was travelling faster than I thought.

It was good advice as the car was so quiet that it would lull you into a false sense of security.

The handling was of its era.

I have often thought of buying another, I seem to remember selling mine for 25 pounds.

With reference to the fuel gauge dropping. I was partly responsible as I decided to tune the twin carbs. Once I had played with the adjustment screws the consumption was even worse.

Despite my best efforts it never improved.

I used to impress friends with the quick lift window lever. It had some nice details, I seem to remember you could wind down the rear window?

Best of luck with your new toy.

Regards Kels
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peter scott



Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 7113
Location: Edinburgh

PostPosted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 8:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Richard H wrote:


The optional EKCO valve radio cost £32 in 1952, which is the equivalent of about £700 now, so not many Atlantics had them fitted. Sadly it doesn't work, the fuse was blown so I replaced it and it now lights up but doesn't do anything more. Probably not a lot wrong with it. but it needs someone like Peter Scott to look at it as I'm hopeless with this sort of thing!


Hi Richard,

Sorry, I've only just caught up with the news of your A90. (thanks to Rick's new forum structure and seeing you mention it elsewhere)

If I can be of any (remote) assistance re the radio then please ask. If you haven't made any progress on it let me know the model number and perhaps I can give you some pointers to getting it working.

Peter

p.s. It hadn't struck me before but I see the A90 used the same instruments as the Riley RMs.
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gresham flyer



Joined: 06 Sep 2008
Posts: 1435

PostPosted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 2:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

A very nice black example of one of these went through Kings Lynn classic car auction last weekend for £9,500.
Great cars.
Regards
Mark
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Richard H



Joined: 03 Apr 2009
Posts: 2148
Location: Lincolnshire, UK

PostPosted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 12:09 pm    Post subject: Re: Atlantic Reply with quote

atlantic1952 wrote:
Smile Hello Richard,
well done on aquiring a nice car. I see you have an A35 like me, must be a trend as Paul Cantey had an Atlantic and A35's as well. I see your car is different to mine in that you have the earlier pull down rear window and screw fixed rear window frame. Your roof looks better than mine, you can buy the right black Everflex material from Boyriven Ltd in Andover. The material on yours doesnt look the right pattern. I should think this is a 1950 or 51 car. Is that right? Thanks, George


Sorry I've only just seen your post. I have seen your Atlantic on the main site, that is some great reconstruction work you've undertaken on the roof area. You are correct about the roof material, I think it was replaced in the 1960's. Maybe it will get replaced one day. By the way, I know Paul Canty well, he is very knowledgeable about all things A35 and A90.

Be nice to see some up to date photos of your Atlantic. This car was registered in January 1952, so I assume it is a 1951 build. I am surprised it doesn't have the winding rear window.

Cheers, Richard.

Gresham, I was watching that black A90 with interest, I think that price was a bit on the low side and has probably been bought by a dealer with the intention of selling on. I can agree with everything you say about the driving experience! The controls are all very heavy and cumbersome and the column change is really difficult to select any gears (especially first) which is incidentally very noisy, but on the other hand it is extremely high geared for its age and will cruise happily at speeds that most contemporary cars would really struggle to attain.

Peter, thanks very much for the kind offer. Getting the radio fixed is quite a long way down the priority list though I'm afraid. I believe the instruments were used in a few cars of that era. The A70 Hampshire dashboard is almost identical apart from being painted in wood-effect paint and the four smaller gauges in the middle of the A90 dash being replaced by a radio speaker.

Let me just find some photos and then I'll put a (long overdue) update up.
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Richard H



Joined: 03 Apr 2009
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Location: Lincolnshire, UK

PostPosted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 4:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

When we got this car last year, it came with a crisp MOT failure sheet.

The main problem was the brakes. The handbrake had been left on for the 36 years the A90 had been standing in the garage, so the mechanics had a bit of a war to free the brakes before it could even be dragged onto the trailer! The clutch was also stuck apparently, which necessitated the removal of the gearbox to free things up.

When we got it the brakes were pulling to one side and very spongy. Three of the front wheel cylinders were found to be seized, which needed plenty of penetrating oil to free them. After at least three attempts at bleeding (made more difficult by the fact that the reservoir cap had rusted on) we eventually got a satisfactory pedal. I must say at this point the intention was to get the car through an MOT quickly, with the major restoration coming later.

The windscreen washers were a problem. It had some kind of vacuum system fitted which had long since 'failed to proceed' and the washer bottle was an old sweet jar which promptly broke as soon as it was removed. After a bit of head-scratching we found something to do the job, coupled with a £10 electric washer motor and switch from the local spares shop and we were ready to go!



I am pleased to report that on the 26th July 2011, the Atlantic passed it's first MOT in 36 years.

After a trip to Chelmsford DVLA for the tax disc (not in the A90!), to celebrate we took it for a quick run, it's very comfortable as a passenger.

We stopped at a nature reserve for some photos.













Action shot!



Unfortunately, soon after getting back from this run the brake master cylinder failed, so since then it's been parked in the garage waiting for repairs. I managed to pick up a repair kit at Battlesbridge, so soon it'll be extracted and we'll start doing the jobs it needs.

As well as the brakes, the battery isn't charging, so we need to investigate that, and the radiator needs recoring as it gets hot if driven more than a few miles. And the large hole in the drivers floorpan needs welding up, and I need to check the sizes of the rear tyres as it is virtually impossible to get the rear wheels on and off, even with the spats removed. Some damage has been caused to the bodywork above the wheels due to forcing wheels on and off over the years. I suspect the current tyres are slightly too wide. The gearchange is rubbish, really difficult to select any gears, especially first, which is really noisy. Unfortunately the A90 is so high geared it struggles pulling away in second. The steering box has several inches of play and is both extremely heavy and has a horrible notchy action. (May just need oil). Also, further investigation reveals this car has been in a fairly major accident at some time. The front N/S wing has been shoved back 1/2" or so and caused a bad door gap where the wing meets the door. There is also some very poor panel beating and plenty of filler around the headlight and front valance. Funnily enough, the main giveaway is the replacement headlight on that side, where the other two have yellowed this one is still white!

Maybe then we can start on the bodywork...Rolling Eyes




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Rick
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 5:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It must be a hoot to drive around in that, ace stuff Smile

R
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Rick
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 05, 2012 2:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi RH, I notice a Cambridge Mk2 in your signature - recent purchase?? Smile

RJ
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D4B



Joined: 28 Dec 2010
Posts: 2083
Location: Hampshire UK

PostPosted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 9:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Richard,

Fantastic A90.... I have just come accross this one for sale and of course immediately thought of this thread!!

http://www.leboncoin.fr/voitures/298167164.htm?ca=22_s

Steve
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Richard H



Joined: 03 Apr 2009
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Location: Lincolnshire, UK

PostPosted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 7:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

A bit of an update!

Last week we hoiked the radiator out and took it to a local radiator specialist for recoring. It's now got a modern high efficiency core and has been pressure tested. Here it is as collected.





It was a bit reluctant to start (think dad flooded it) but she drove out under her own steam in the end!







'New' radiator in!







My Mk1 A55 in the background!


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Last edited by Richard H on Sat Jun 30, 2012 10:17 pm; edited 1 time in total
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British heritage cars



Joined: 10 Nov 2010
Posts: 202

PostPosted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 10:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hallo,

Your Atlantic is a beauty!

have you considered to rebuild the dynamo yourself? It's a quit straight forward job!
Here are some pictures from what I did...Maybe it helps
It came out like this;



Take it apart,




I've chaged the bearing and bush




I've derusted and cleaned everything,







Some paint and new brushes + springs



And put it all back together you should get this






Kind regards,
Jonathan




Richard H wrote:
A bit of an update!


I'm pleased to report it runs well now and holds a good temperature. Next job, can anyone recommend a company to overhaul a dynamo?
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Rick
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 8:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Good to read the update RH, do you plan to have it out and about regularly this year?

RJ
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ukdave2002



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 4100
Location: South Cheshire

PostPosted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 9:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

British heritage cars wrote:
Hallo,

I've chaged the bearing and bush



Kind regards,
Jonathan

Richard H wrote:
A bit of an update!
Next job, can anyone recommend a company to overhaul a dynamo?


Good to see you changed the bush,...many don't on a rebuild.... when it wears (which is does because virtually nobody regularly oils it at the 6000 miles its supposed to be oiled at!) , the armature can begin to foul the field magnets; quickly resulting in a failed armature Shocked The new bush should be soaked in oil for 24 hours before fitting. Worn bush's can be difficult to detect as they are no where near as noisy as when the main dynamo bearing wears! So for a couple of quid and 30 mins work its not a bad bit of preventative maintenance to change the bush anyway.

Rebuilding a dynamo is very straight forward providing the field and armature windings are in tact (if its working now then they probably are), if you don't have access to a lathe you may need to get the commutator skimmed by someone, the insulation can be undercut with a hacksaw blade by hand.

Dave
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Richard H



Joined: 03 Apr 2009
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Location: Lincolnshire, UK

PostPosted: Sat Jun 30, 2012 10:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Haven't really done a lot with this over the last year, but recently we've set ourselves a deadline of a car show at the end of July to get it MOT'd and back on the road. I also plan to take it to the Goodwood Revival in September, if all goes well and I can get insurance on it (easier said than done as I'm 21).

First up was the rotten floorpan. There is a lot of rot on this car, the sills have gone on both sides as well.







New floorpan made by yours truly. I'm going to have a go at replicating the pressings in the original floor before I weld it in.





As the 1950's crossply tyres on it are absolutely knackered, I ordered a set of FX4 taxi radials from tyretraders.com. Very good service.





Then we ran it up on the ramps to get the master cylinder off, on stripping it down the bore was found to be in excellent condition (surprisingly!) and I'll be able to fit the new seal kit I managed to locate at Battlesbridge soon hopefully Smile











So yeah, it's coming together, slowly Very Happy
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