Austin Atlantic

[Angrydicky]

Just bought this today, just 29,000 miles and one owner since 1959. Last on the road in 1975!

 

 

 

 

It went in for an MOT this afternoon and failed on brake efficiency, wiper motor not working and a numberplate bulb. Not sure if it qualifies as shite but they were a massive failure for Austin at the time and this one has plenty of old giffer repairs with pop-riveted plates and filler. I've always fancied one and when I heard about this one literally on my doorstep it was an opportunity that really couldn't be missed!

[Volksy]

That's fantastic!

[theorganist]

Thats brilliant . Not bad going since the amount of time it has been of the road!! Nice one.

[Cavcraft]

Phwoarr! How ace is that?

As MOT fails go that's a massive result too, so little work considering how long it's stood. Cap well and truly dothed in your general direction sir.

[Jozza]

Great stuff . I've always liked Atlantics in that 'so bad it's good' sort of way. I've had cars in use daily that have failed MOTs on worse than that!

[Shep Shepherd]

Absolutely spiffing! I'd love to have a look at it one day

 

How much did it set you back, by the way?

[dollywobbler]

Crikey. With this Austin-shite, you really are spoiling us!

[Angrydicky]

How much did it set you back, by the way?

 

Don't ask, I'm going to be living off bread and water for the next few months!

 

I suspected a major project as the interior shot seems to show a split in the footwell.

 

Well spotted, the drivers floorpan is pretty bad. The MOT tester reckoned it wasn't structural due to the seperate chassis (it isn't really) so it only got an advisory. Sorting that out will be one of the first jobs.

 

Congratulations, it's stunning, how could a car with a pair of wing mounted flying A mascots and a wind-down rear window ever be classed as a failure, I love all the belated Art-Deco influences including the bay-windscreen. I'm sure the Austin Counties Car Club will be able to sort you out with any get it on the road parts you need.

 

I'm envious, it's one of the few that series of Austins that I haven't had yet

 

Thanks SirT, I will of course be rejoining the excellent Austin Counties Club. It has the optional EKCO valve radio by the way, the one with the 1' square box of valves under the bonnet

[trigger]

That is sexual, really, what a pretty car. I'm dead jealous Richard!

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

STUNNING.

[Rusty Pelican]

Mindblowing , truly mindblowing , you tried winding the rear window down yet , must be the coolest Feature of EVA on any car

Theres one on the right at this Gurnsey car show ,

 

[AnthonyG]

Absolutely lovely!

 

MOT failure list is a bit of a result, given the crack in the drivers footwell. Is it going to be a rolling restoration, or a winter project (poss for more than one winter!). Did you sell the Wolzcrab 18/85 in the end?

[Lord Sterling]

THAT sir, is fantastic. I've never seen one of those Austins before. Good luck fella.

[HillmanImp]

That is fuggin fantastic! I am in awe of it. Wow!

[Albert Ross]

Is this a 2.2 4 banger? If so, it's possibly the same motor as the FX3/4 and FL1.

[dollywobbler]

Is this a 2.2 4 banger? If so, it's possibly the same motor as the FX3/4 and FL1.

 

2.6 four banger. Probably related - this lump ended up in the rather prettier Austin-Healey.

[catsinthewelder]

Blooming amazing find

 

With such a fantastic MOT WIN are you going to run it like that for the show season?

[warren t claim]

Is this a 2.2 4 banger? If so, it's possibly the same motor as the FX3/4 and FL1.

 

2.6 four banger. Probably related - this lump ended up in the rather comically overrated Austin-Healey.

 

E.F.A

[barrett]

are you going to run it like that for the show season?

 

I hope it'll stay looking like this for ever!

 

Good score with this Dicky, I can't imagine there are many unrestored examples left. I've always been amused by the styling of these - it's nice to know even the big boys could really screw things up!

[eddyramrod]

Dicky, I am on my knees to you, you are the true Austin Maestro! Total hero sir, well found. I can conceive of no circumstances in which, having heard of this, you could possibly allow it to pass you by.

[BMC Dan]

Certainly shite if kept in that state, excellent purchasing skills. Roll up to work in it and that bird you were after will instantly give that security guard geezer TEH ELBOWZ

[George-Roper]

Thats a bobby dazzler and for that mot fail what a result

[retrogeezer]

Saw one of these at the Audlem car show a couple of years back, they are gorgeous so well done on your score!

[wuvvum]

 

You do manage to unearth some quality '50s tat, don't you?

[michiel]

Hnnngwow!

[cort16]

I'd never even heard of an Atlantic until two weeks ago when I read this book http://www.amazon.co.uk/Long-Glasgow-Kiss-Lennox-Thriller/dp/1847249698 in, which the main character drives an Austin Atlantic. I looked it up and couldn't believe how ace it looked for a 50's car then two weeks later here's one on autoshite. top workz

[Alexg]

Just about the coolest thing I have seen all year...

[Angrydicky]

Absolutely lovely!

 

MOT failure list is a bit of a result, given the crack in the drivers footwell. Is it going to be a rolling restoration, or a winter project (poss for more than one winter!). Did you sell the Wolzcrab 18/85 in the end?

 

Yep, sold the Crab via Ebay, a local couple came over and handed over the full asking price without haggling! I think the priority with the A90 is to get it MOT'd and legal, sort out the rust in the floor, new tyres and possibly resleeved wheel cylinders (they aren't leaking apparently, but were seized on when the dealer dragged it out of its resting place) and the efficiency is down. I'll probably try rerubbering them first, then bleeding the system. Eventually I think we'll have to go for a full respray, because the paint is flaking in so many places and there is some rust in the front wings that needs sorting. There doesn't seem to be any rust under the vinyl roof, not that I could see anyway, although it has gaffer tape down both sides as the stitching has rotted. The engine sounds healthy enough, the choke is out of adjustment so it won't run without throttle, but at least the garage have got it running under its own steam, freed off the brakes and they've also had the gearbox out to free the stuck clutch, which is a job I didn't really fancy.

 

Wuvvum, I'll give you a shout once it is road legal as it should be ideal for future trips to Stalham.

[boobydoo]

How Wonderful!! A truly amazing discovery.

 

You should sell tickets for us to come and just sit in it!!

[eddyramrod]

I'd never even heard of an Atlantic until two weeks ago when I read this book http://www.amazon.co.uk/Long-Glasgow-Kiss-Lennox-Thriller/dp/1847249698 in, which the main character drives an Austin Atlantic. I looked it up and couldn't believe how ace it looked for a 50's car then two weeks later here's one on autoshite. top workz

 

I just followed that link, as I didn't know the book (or indeed series). If the private-eye hero is driving an Atlantic he's doing pretty well as they were quite a luxury car in their day! He must be roughly equivalent to Frank Cannon, that well-known Continental Mk3 driver. Nice one, AD, again!