Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Richard H · Joined: 03 Apr 2009 Posts: 2154 Location: Lincolnshire, UK

As most of you know, I have a 1958 Austin A55 Cambridge which I am about halfway through restoring. I have had real trouble with the panel availability, ranging from sills (which are unavailable for saloons) through to wings (only fibreglass available), basically anything that isn't shared with the later Farinas is either very expensive or impossible to get hold of.

Recently I've been wondering about the possibility of buying a spares car. I have noticed this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Austin-A40-Cambridge-4-door-saloon-1954-1956-/181059483321?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2a27fc76b9

It's not too far away, the seller admits it's probably only suitable for spares and it would yield the bonnet, front wings, rear wheelarches, four doors and interior trim I need for mine, as well as countless other bits and pieces.

However, it's a now very rare A40 Cambridge and part of me thinks it deserves to be saved! I can't help feeling a pang of guilt considering buying it for spares. It's certainly a lot better than the one I'm restoring, although that doesn't really mean a lot! What do you chaps think, should I forget about it or do you think it's only realistically suitable for parts?

Embarassed

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Roger-hatchy · Joined: 07 Dec 2007 Posts: 2135 Location: Tiptree, Essex

At the end of the day if you managed to get the parts for your present car will they have come from a donar car anyway.

Also will the second car end up as a banger racer, be better to use one to keep at least one on the road.

Roger

D4B · Joined: 28 Dec 2010 Posts: 2083 Location: Hampshire UK

I would go for it and make one out of the two, if you try restoring
both you will just end up with two lots of spares sourcing headaches!!

Good Luck Cool

Marc-H · Joined: 17 Dec 2012 Posts: 37 Location: Aylesbury

You say"it's a lot better than the one I'm restoring," isn't that the answer, if the A40 is a better option to preserve then that's where I would go, but I am aware it is more to do with feeling than hard facts and that is something only you can decide. I'm lazy so easiest option for me Very Happy

Did this help? thought not Wink

Good luck
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emmerson · Joined: 30 Sep 2008 Posts: 1268 Location: South East Wales

Go for it, mate. At least it will keep one on the road.

52classic · Joined: 02 Oct 2008 Posts: 493 Location: Cardiff.

I'd say buy it. get it home, then decide.

Must say the A40 looks restorable from what we can see.

Reckon I'd post pics of both cars so that the debate can continue.

Phil - Nottingham · Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Posts: 1252 Location: Nottingham

Better to have 1 complete and good car than 2 wrecks - buy it and do the best one up
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Ellis · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2013 7:20 pm Post subject:

I'm glad that the decision here isn't mine to make.

A real quandary. I'm biased because I have fond childhood memories of my late father's black Austin A50 Cambridge - GBV 715. Coincidentally, although 50+ years ago, my father changed the A50 for en ex BMC Austin A55 Cambridge Mark 2 in two tone lavender and black and regretted it.
He thought that the A50 was the better car.

It is an an even more difficult decision because you have an A50 needing parts but I can't help but think that an A40 is as rare as an A50 Cambridge or a (Mark 1) A55 Cambridge.

Good luck but I know I'd want to restore and keep both.
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Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22849 Location: UK

Its look saveable doesn't it - but will anyone do it? if it stays cheap like this it'll end up being bangered anyway, so I'd not worry too much about breaking it, especially as in the rear wing department it looks very ropey.

I've broken a couple of cars over the years, but they were £50 each and wayyyyyy beyond recall. This one's on a knife-edge IMHO, but if it means yours gets done, and done to a higher standard as a result of this one donating parts, then it's ok with me - I won't ban you for it Smile

RJ
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clan chieftain · Joined: 05 Apr 2008 Posts: 2041 Location: Motherwell

Buy it and save the best one.Strip everything off the one that you are scrapping.
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JohnDale · Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2013 11:20 am Post subject:

baconsdozen · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 1119 Location: Under the car.

Probably one of those things where there is no real right or wrong. I think breaking a car to give another one a new lease of life is better than letting it dissolve back into the ground.

smiffy220 · Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2013 10:01 am Post subject:

I agree with most on here Richard, I like your A55 so if it means you can make that a better car, albeit at the expense of another car, there will be one decent car out of two not so decent ones, I'd go for it mate.
Plus, there will bound to be lots of spares on the A40 you don't need, so you will be helping others out by selling those on no doubt.
Do what you think is best, but nobody's going to have a go at you for it, either way, neither car will get to the banger boys!!

All the best,
Dave
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