Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[old iron]

Looking forward to next season camping in my recently purchased Austin J2
camper van.
Of course it’s not well suited to day trips with other fellow classic car friends therefore I was torn between treating myself to a Austin 7 or a A30/35.
Seeing the asking prices of A7 and having a nostalgia itch for a peanut I have decided on buying the peanut

Found one being advertised that looks well looked after, not my first choice of colours but hey Ho. The car is an A30 of 1956 vintage, it is fitted with the later 948cc engine, a longer differential and larger front brakes, also electronic ignition. All this sounds like very sensible upgrades whilst also discrete. The MOT history is impeccable which is a lovely bonus. All of this comes at a price of course, but I prefer a classic that is up and ready for plenty of fun times ahead.
With the upgrades this particular car has I see no reason to look for a later A35, the only question in my mind is the gearbox ratios teamed with the longer differential and the drivability?

[alastairq]

I have a hankering for a Standard 8 or 10....Not sure why?

In my yoof, the car to aim for was the A35....often followed by a Sprite , or, if a bit flush, a Midget? Then followed by the sensible head taking control, and an 1100!

At that point of several chum's careers, I left society behind and went off to sea.
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Dellow Mk2, 1951 built, reg 1952.
Fiat 126 BIS
Cannon special [1996 registered. Built in 1950's]
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Ford Pop chassis, Ashley 1172 bodyshell, in pieces.

[Ray White]

[old iron]

It’s the A35 which takes me back to our very early courting days with my wife to be. I had been commuting from Southend on Sea to Barking on a 90cc moped visiting my then girlfriend now wife. Two stroke engine seizing was a fairly common event and the winter cold was getting to me as well. But we were both saving up to get married and I had sold my car to put the funds into the marriage pot. Enough was enough though and I went and purchased a A35, the comfort after my moped riding was a wonderful thing !!
Paid £40 for the car, which was in rough but road going order, at that time. In reality it was ready for a full restoration. On top of four bald tyres it burnt engine oil like it was going out of fashion leaving a blue smog behind where ever I drove My girlfriend gave me a right telling off when I dangled the A35 car keys in front of her, what have you done?
The A35 didn’t last long and I gave it to one of my Brothers after I had got married. However, in the relative short time of my firs acquaintance with an A35 it provided me with much joy and fun.
Last night I mentioned to my wife that I wished to buy another A30/35, to which she replied, is it a grey painted one? nope! And for the first time in married life she didn’t object to my proposal of buying another classic

[peter scott]

The Isetta bubble car was fine whilst I only had a motorcycle licence but after passing my car test I sold the Isetta and bought the worst car I ever had, a Series II Morris Minor. Powered by a clapped out 803 cc engine it was completely gutless but at least I could afford the insurance. It was noisy, had uncomfortable seats that made your back ache and when you slammed the doors it was like shutting the lid on a giant tool box that went clang! They didn't shut if you didn't slam them. I had really wanted an A35 van but they all seemed too pricey for me so £65 was thrown away on the Morris.

I certainly would not want anything with a BMC A series nowadays.

Peter
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http://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

[Ray White]

My A30 was a real little gem. It was a two door model in grey and belonged to the little old lady who lived with her Sister in a cottage across the road from us. She always had it serviced and garaged from new and only used it for Church on Sundays.

When the Sister inherited a rather more luxurious Vanden Plas 1300 the Austin became surplus to requirements and knowing I had just passed my test asked asked my Dad if I might like it. She only wanted £10. Dad, rather wickedly, told the old dear it was only good for scrap and offered her £8. The deal was done and before long I was the owner of an immaculate, AS4 with under 20,000 miles on the clock.

The A30 was just what I needed to get up to College in Barnet and my girl friend - later my wife - was much happier too. Bob, her father (an auto electrician) fitted flashing indicators and my Dad helped me fit the 1098 engine.

I wanted to run it on the twin SU carbs but found I couldn't really afford the petrol so it ended up back on a single Zenith.

[peter scott]

[old iron]

I’m still looking for the Austin A30/5 to come along. I missed the original car that I wrote about in my OP, thinking it over for to long and when I contacted the seller it had gone
Search goes on.

[Ray White]

Are you looking for a two or four door car?

[old iron]

[Ray White]

[old iron]