HMC Quattroporte assaulted

13,496 · February 3

On 03/02/2025 at 15:04, wuvvum said:

I'm imagining that Cressida de Little in her Delage is going to be quite impossibly posh.

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She must be alright if she has been named after a classic Toyota.

12,913 · February 3

But Corolla de Little. Cressida Delage.

13,496 · February 3

On 03/02/2025 at 20:33, RichardK said:

But Corolla de Little. Cressida Delage.

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That’s her sister.

3,244 · February 3

On 26/01/2025 at 17:35, HMC said:

I think it’s probably more about an over engineered hull (through ignorance rather than intent) than inherent rust resistance.

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When Austin first road tested prototype versions of the previous A50/A55 (the ‘cowhip’ model) which was their first car of this size with a unitary structure, the bodies failed with lots of cracks. Funnily enough Spain was considered the best place for this arduous ‘colonial’ testing!

So lots of additional strength was added in traditional 1950s manner i.e. more steel, the thicker the better. Practically another chassis was welded underneath the original floor pan.

The Farinas were restyled versions of these earlier cars, hence the A55s always looked a bit over bodied - the body shell was a little wider but still on the same track as the earlier car. The A60 had a wider track so looked better and was considered a much more sorted car to drive - the A55 Farina was more along the lines of ‘I like to understeer, do you want some, more than some, or a complete shitload’?

One of the reasons Farinas survived until the introduction of the Marina was that fleets loved them. They didn’t like 1800s at all, certainly not the early 64-67 ones. Fleets also liked Minors, despite the antiquated image, for example 2 drs were a very popular early ‘panda’ car for many police forces.

14,353 · February 3

A60s were known 'tech'. Transverse, cable gears, soft suspension? Not for serious cars, only for mini ones.

42,876 · February 4

I took the a60 to university today. I was a bit brave in the sense i hadn't tested its ability to not boil over in stop start traffic, nor do a longer journey. Plus I had 2 teenage schoolgirls to drop off en route, so it wouldn't just be me that was late, if some HERITAGE crept in and we ended up at the roadside. But it felt like a car that had been driven and looked after. So a took a chance on it rather than the 75.

I think my passengers were mildly amused by sliding about on the rear bench whilst scrolling on their phones as we made our way over roundabouts with a bit of body roll. But we all got where we were going on time.

19,693 · February 4

We need some interior shots, or have I missed them?

42,876 · February 8

With a week to go the the exmoor trial ive been getting the 12/4 ready for scrutineering.

AFFF Extinguisher. marked tow points, spill kit, additional throttle return springs etc. I decided the crew (kids will be bouncers for the hill climbing) needed extra motivation (and weight) so ive gone to get takeaway pizza.

42,876 · February 8

Its an unlikely entry, in a class (2a) mainly populated by 3.3L ford model As (basically twice the displacment) But its all about having fun and making memories and, I suspect , in a minority in that its being driven to and (hopefully) from the event.

This is the herefordshire event- which looks a bit less muddy and less cold.

17,670 · February 8

I dislike that intensely; motorsport where a class is supposed to be roadgoing/roadworthy populated by trailer queens. Offroad trialling was full of it the one time I had a go, thoroughly offputting.

11,872 · February 8

I was taken by the line, in the vid above, 'of course it's not about the [extreme] value of our cars, it's just we treat them as enjoyment...'

*Slight paraphrase but struck me as NOT break it = bus home 🤔

Looks muddy!!

🚙💨

42,876 · February 14

Ive now got the “buff form” that confirms its eligibility, and its standard configuration.

I also needed to finish prep- nothing extreme but necessary to pass scrutineering. All sorted and just doing some final checks before we set off early tomorrow….

19,879 · February 14

Some paving slabs in that rear trunk may help traction!

Herbert Austin would be proud.

Surprisingly large rear window for an early 30's car.

I note you have a 'smokers hatch' in the roof too!

2,443 · February 14

Hitting F5 with interest! Good luck.

3,955 · February 14

On 08/02/2025 at 17:27, HMC said:

Its an unlikely entry, in a class (2a) mainly populated by 3.3L ford model As (basically twice the displacment) But its all about having fun and making memories and, I suspect , in a minority in that its being driven to and (hopefully) from the event.

This is the herefordshire event- which looks a bit less muddy and less cold.

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She's rather nice 🍆

42,876 · February 15

Scrutineering : LEVEL UNLOCKED

42,876 · February 15

Um which way?

19,879 · February 15

Straight back to 1931?

19,879 · February 15

On 15/02/2025 at 10:35, HMC said:

Um which way?

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Or maybe 1967?

Best of luck anyway. I note not everyone is wearing wellies...may be a rash act 😂

12,566 · February 15

On 15/02/2025 at 10:14, HMC said:

Scrutineering : LEVEL UNLOCKED

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Fantastic. Wishing you all the luck!

4,866 · February 15

On 15/02/2025 at 10:14, HMC said:

Scrutineering : LEVEL UNLOCKED

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Amazing. Best of luck

42,876 · February 15

This austin is suprisingly capable despite appearences….. we all had great fun so far, here im sorting the exhaust after i crushed the back of it

And just stopping for a quick bite to eat

17,670 · February 15

If you get stuck you could copy the wheeze used by Johnny Mills in "Ice Cold in Alex" and wind it backwards up the hill with the handle in reverse gear. Probably.

5,001 · February 15

On 15/02/2025 at 12:55, somewhatfoolish said:

If you get stuck you could copy the wheeze used by Johnny Mills in "Ice Cold in Alex" and wind it backwards up the hill with the handle in reverse gear. Probably.

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Works in forward gears as well, just double check the ignition is off as you wouldn't want to be running yourself over.

60,949 · February 15

Fantastic!

Is this now the longest you've ever owned a car?

42,876 · February 15

We seemed to get appreciation for not taking a typical trials car, and for how incongruous it looks when it was being eased up avery rocky and muddy hillsides in Exmoor

42,876 · February 15

SUCCESS!*

* We got muddy, got lost, made friends and most importantly had fun.

19,879 · February 15

Memories are made of this. Some school bragging rights there 👍🤗

Herbert Austin was the son of a farmer from Little Missenden Buckinghamshire and spent 10 years working in Australia. So understood machinery needed to be tough.

Austins - right up to the mid-1950's were really tough cars. Yours is the epitome of his design approach.

Looks fantastic with a bit of mud from use too.

Fab photos.

19,879 · February 15

This looks an interesting read. Not a book I've come across before.

24,556 · February 15

On 15/02/2025 at 15:54, HMC said:

We seemed to get appreciation for not taking a typical trials car, and for how incongruous it looks when it was being eased up avery rocky and muddy hillsides in Exmoor

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That looks like a load of fun.

Nice to see old stuff being used and enjoyed!

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