OMG RATLUK

[Mash]

Now this is how it should be done! This looked like it was dragged out of a shed and put straight back on the road. Extremely solid, no rust, scruffy interior but I bet it drives lovely. 1959 called, wants its Austin back:

 

[bigstraight6]

Bloody lovely!

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

Dreamy.

 

I don't really wish it was 1959, but I'd quite like to visit. Anyone know where that alleyway Nicholas Lyndhurst used to use is? Must be nearly the 60s there now. Soon Gary will be able to sue the Beatles for plagiarism and get rich.

 

Thought about it too much edit: It'd be 1961

[AeroNautiCal]

What a honey!

 

Astonishingly good nick.

[Mr Lobster]

Dreamy.

 

I don't really wish it was 1959, but I'd quite like to visit. Anyone know where that alleyway Nicholas Lyndhurst used to use is? Must be nearly the 60s there now. Soon Gary will be able to sue the Beatles for plagiarism and get rich.

 

Thought about it too much edit: It'd be 1961

 

 

I do enjoy a bit of Goodnight Sweetheart when I occasionally catch it on whichever channel shows it.

[Justin Case]

Checks for authentic 1959 features:

 

Sagging door handles - NO

Wavy running board from rotting brackets - NO

Misaligned doors- NO

Undercoat showing through on edges of bonnet - NO

Aluminium painted hubcaps - NO

Patina not misty morning rattle-can spray - NO

 

Sorry, but that looks about authentic as one of those winking Mona Lisas. For the real thing look at the backgrounds in one of those gritty early 60s Northern films like This Sporting Life.

[Rocket88]

I think that's an Austin 16. If it is, they're pretty good 2.2 4 pot ohv engine [as in early Healeys] surprisingly rapid, and not as cramped as some. Austin's Ford Pilot.

[Mash]

Checks for authentic 1959 features:

 

Sagging door handles - NO

Wavy running board from rotting brackets - NO

Misaligned doors- NO

Undercoat showing through on edges of bonnet - NO

Aluminium painted hubcaps - NO

Patina not misty morning rattle-can spray - NO

 

Sorry, but that looks about authentic as one of those winking Mona Lisas. For the real thing look at the backgrounds in one of those gritty early 60s Northern films like This Sporting Life.

 

 

To be fair the paint was completely original, just really flat. The gold coachline was all worn. it just must have been laid up for a long time somewhere dry.

[Justin Case]

To be fair the paint was completely original, just really flat. The gold coachline was all worn. it just must have been laid up for a long time somewhere dry.

 

In that case I'll give it the benefit of the doubt; perhaps it was laid up when it was relatively new

 

I thought from the title that it may have looked more like this though:

 

 

[dollywobbler]

I think that's an Austin 16. If it is, they're pretty good 2.2 4 pot ohv engine [as in early Healeys] surprisingly rapid, and not as cramped as some. Austin's Ford Pilot.

 

Not really the same engine. Healey used the 2660cc A90 Atlantic engine. I think it is just an enlargement though, and similarly tough! Bet the handling's atrocious though.

 

I really like that one Mash. Surely no two ratlooks are exactly the same? If it was really ratty, it wouldn't be here today I suspect! Hope it doesn't get restored.

[AnthonyG]

It does look like a 16, but why the '10' on the grille badge?

 

EDIT: it is a 10, the last one with that name and launched in 1939 and made through the war up until 1947.

[chaseracer]

I think that's an Austin 16...

Bet the handling's atrocious...

 

Appears to be running radials - may well be surprisingly OK...

[dollywobbler]

Doubt it! My Westy was on radials and still treated bends as something best ignored!

[chaseracer]

Fair point, Ian - well made...

[wuvvum]

I bet it drives lovely.

INKOREKT. These are bloody horrible things to drive. The second least pleasant car I've ever driven, after the Reliant Regal 3/25.