Austin Atlantic

[michiel]

^whs^

[Albert Ross]

I would SERIOUSLY roll in this, exactly as it looks. No cosmetic resto whatsoever. You're a hero and no mistake. I wear a hat, and have "just" taken it off.

[vulgalour]

Amazing car and great to see it getting refreshed. I am in awe.

[retrogeezer]

I would SERIOUSLY roll in this, exactly as it looks. No cosmetic resto whatsoever. You're a hero and no mistake. I wear a hat, and have "just" taken it off.

 

 

X2....

[wackywacerwill]

Pure class, keep the updates coming

[Alexg]

Thanks for the update AD, I was wondering about the progress on this car as it has been a forum favourite of mine.

 

btw, one of the pictures suggest you keep a car in your conservatory, really?

[RobT]

What a lovely old thing. Well done on saving a piece of our motoring heritage, good luck with it!

[AnthonyG]

Good to see progress with this lovely old beast.

 

If you do go to the revival I hope you will acquire appropriate clothing, felt trilby, demob suit etc...

[Angrydicky]

Sorry, I haven't updated this in ages! Obviously I got it MOT'd and since then, it has been used occasionally. I took it to Battlesbridge last Autumn, where it attracted a lot of attention! It's still a complete shed though.

 

As a bit of a spur of the moment thing today I decided to get the Atlantic out and give it a run to blow out the cobwebs. The heater matrix is sadly corroded (I assume) as whenever you move off a torrent of water is deposited onto the drivers feet, which is lovely as you can imagine. The cooling system needs constant topping up because of this. I managed to free off the seized heater valve with copious amounts of brute force and Plus Gas, unfortunately the valve doesn't seem to be doing anything, so the heater will be bypassed for now.

 

I drove it down some country lanes with my dad following in his Consul, at which point we stopped for some photos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We then headed down to the seafront where we encountered a MKII Zephyr coming the other way, a 100E Prefect with modern alloys, a MK1 Granada and Rover P4. Our little convoy (but mainly the A90) got loads of attention! On the way back home I was just coming up to a nice, straight bit of NSL road, thinking how well the Atlantic was running, and how I'd leave my dad behind in the little 1700cc Consul, when suddenly, without warning it cut out. As we were only a couple of miles from home, dad went off to get the Zafira and towrope.

 

 

 

Meanwhile I poked around under the bonnet and found the culprit:

 

 

Yes that's one of the coil connections that had completely come adrift. I reckon the small metal ring (whatever the technical term for it is) that goes on the end of the wire, had snapped in the dim and distant past and someone had simply tightened the nut down on top of the wire. Five minutes at the side of the road with a pair of pliers and we were back in business, although I will fix it properly (I promise!)

 

When we got home I decided to get all out roadworthy classics lined up outside for some photos.

 

 

 

 

 

[skattrd]

Awesome motors there Dicky

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

Wonderful, I love that Atlantic. And even more, I love the shot of it with its two little brothers behind.

 

The fourth photo down, the side on picture - that needs to be in next year's calendar.

[Skizzer]

^WHS. Love it.

 

Bonnet up and yellow flower pics are my personal favourites though.

[vulgalour]

I can say with certainty that I am definitely jealous of your Atlantic ownership. Excellent to see it out and about, and to see just how far forward in the body that rear axle sits, you'd expect it to be a good foot further back at least.

[trigger]

I want to live on your street Dicky.

[hhhugues]

Bit of a coincidence, I was just watching that TV program on Jackie Stewart earlier and he was rolling about in one of those. Anyone else saw that ?

Fantastic looking thing anyway, and great pictures.

[drum]

Lovely. My dad had a black Atlantic in the early 60s. I have a photo somewhere.

[barrett]

Rich, I MUST try and get this thing into the mag, or at least on the website. We'll have to do a photoshoot in the summer some time - You can have a go in the Standard of course. I seriously love this loads and you must never restore it cosmetically

[Angrydicky]

Rich, I MUST try and get this thing into the mag, or at least on the website. We'll have to do a photoshoot in the summer some time - You can have a go in the Standard of course. I seriously love this loads and you must never restore it cosmetically

 

That sounds cool, I'd love that! Only thing is due to the water loss problem it can't really be driven far at the moment. I'd love a go in the Standard too!

 

I can't see myself ever getting round to restoring it if I'm honest, got too much on with the other cars!