It is probably time for another newsletter. The time lapse since the last one was due to moving from PA to MA. You are right! We are migrating in a direction opposite to that which common sense would dictate. And it isn't over. Our new abode (with much better shop space) is supposed to be ready in November. Any bets?
I would like to thank some of you for your patience. At times orders have been a bit slow getting out because we are working out of packing boxes. When the shelving is back up and parts in order, we will be able to offer same day turnaround on anything in stock.
Despite the fact that we are mired in the twenties to the fifties with our cars, we are just modern enough to have e-mail. Some of our members are finding it a nice, fast and inexpensive way to get orders in and get what little helpful information we can provide on their Austins. Write to me or place your orders at austnworks@aol.com I check it at least once daily even when traveling. So, see you in Cyberspace.
This past year we were able to find new homes for 4 Nippys and a 65. Two of the cars were in a barn for 30 years and are now well on the way to being put back on the road. Another Nippy that had passed from hand to hand in pieces for over 25 years is now in Canada and will soon be back together. A very interesting 65 that had several racing modifications including 4 wheel hydraulics went out to WI and is now in very capable hands.
I found a 1935 Ruby saloon and a 1936 Opal that had been sitting out in a field in MA for over 30 years. Not restorable but they broke down into some very nice spares. Also for the first time since starting with Austins in the 50's (when my uncle was a dealer), I have found a spare original 2 bearing Nippy engine. Most of the Nippys sold in the states had some version of the 3 bearing engine. The few 2 bearing models that did make it here usually received a change to either a later seven engine or, in may cases, an American Bantam unit which bolts right in with very few modifications.
This engine was rebuilt several years ago by Tom Crotty (probably one of the best Austin rebuilders in the country) and has never been started. *See the parts for sale section.
Postwar Cars (or "All Quiet on the Western Front")
More of the body panels for the A40s are becoming available. They are priced a little higher than comparable parts for a Yank Tank, but the shipping is the real added cost and can easily double the price of most items. Most patch panels for Devons and Somersets are under $50. Sills for the Somerset are about $70 each and about $225 for the Devon with all closing panels. Shipping will add at least another $70 to your order.
This is another case where communal effort would pay big dividends. If we could put together a large enough order for several members, my shipper in the UK would do the packing and send it all over in one crate.
The most prominent part of your Somerset grill is the plastic badge in the center. Most of the ones we have on our cars are sunbleached and crazed. One of our members, John Hardy in Phoenix, has come to the rescue by having new clear plastic badges cast. All you have to do is get some plastic model paint and color in the emblem. John will produce these if there is enough interest. Please let us know ASAP if you would like a new badge for your Somerset. They will be in the $20 to $30 range depending on quantity. I received a rough test sample which was excellent. I don't see how the production ones could be better.
Another prominent feature of your Somerset that can make the best car look awful is the plastic dial face on that large speedometer which gets cloudy and the speed numbers yellow or disappear. Roland Young in CA has had a few new ones made. They are very nice. I plan to put one on my Coupe. There are about 7 or 8 still available at $27 each.
Last year the club in the UK found a small stash of brand new Somerset grill halves in South Africa. They were not cheap and the club needed commitments from members to buy them. We gave them the money up front and recently received 2 brand new sets of Somerset grill halves. This is a rare opportunity for 2 Somerset or A70 Hereford owners to get a brand new grill for the half the price of having your old pieces re-chromed. *See parts for sale section.
There are no new Idler or Steering lever shafts available. We are having a small batch metal sprayed and reground to rebuild your steering boxes and idlers. Every one of the Idler shafts was badly corroded at the bottom bearing face. These shafts are the major cause of sloppiness in A40 front ends.
The first outing of any note for 1997 was the Import/Kit Car show at Carlisle May 9 to 11.
Our near concours 1938 Cambridge 10 went to new owners in the first hour after the show opened on Friday. They got in, got some brief driving instructions and drove it the 50+ miles home.
Because all of the prewar Austins except the Seven are 12 volts, I was able to do the alternator conversion on this car. Made a very nice swap without altering any of the original equipment or wiring. Only a few wires need to be moved around at the regulator. I have wiring diagrams for this "improvement" which apply to both Pre and Post war Austins Probably work for most Lucas equipped cars. I use the MGB alternator with the internal regulator.
The heavy rain showers on Thursday and threats of more probably kept some of the attendance down from previous years. This show is becoming more and more of a kit car event. The question of the week end was "how many people can make a living producing Cobra kits?" Although, the Lamborghini and Ferrari kits are, I must admit, spectacular. There were several professionally done ones that sold in the $50,000 + range. So, there is money out there.
Most of the vendors felt that despite the spotty attendance and weather threats that there were more people buying this year than in the past.
The 75th anniversary of the Austin Seven was celebrated over the bank holiday weekend of May 23 through May 26. It was also the 75th anniversary of the 12/4 and the 65th anniversary of the Austin 10 and there were some very interesting examples of those models on hand.
The event took place at the Motor Industry Heritage Trust Museum at Gaydon (in Great Britian). It was a beautiful spot and we had very nice weather for all 4 days. A bit chilly and windy but great for the UK. There were more Austin Sevens than have ever gathered at one spot before. Estimated to have over 650 on Sunday.
One could write a book on the rare cars that attended:
(I got up on the hill behind the field and took panoramic views for the disbelievers.)
I spent most of the time working with Tony and Valerie Leslie of Holmesdale Sevens in their vendor space. Great way to meet and talk with Austin Seven Nuts. I also managed to pick up some hard to find bits and some rare literature. *See parts for sale section.
Good news for Austin Seven owners doing or contemplating restoration. A new company is now devoting it's full effort to reproducing the body panels for the Sevens, including pieces never before available. There are wings, running boards, wheel arches, body panels, floor pans, etc. for most 1923-1937 Austin Sevens. (including some small panels for the Ruby that have never been reproduced before) The panels can be ordered through Austin Works East. If there is sufficient demand, we will start shipping parts over in bulk to save you transport costs. (By the way, I met these folks at Gaydon and their panels are very well done.)
Important Note: There will probably be some price increases. We try to hold these down by saving on shipping in bulk, etc. But, the dollar is not holding it's own against the Pound. The exchange rate has crept up this year from around 1.50 in Jan to 1.75 on my last order.
The next important event coming up for owners of British Cars (on the right coast at least) is the British Invasion in Stowe, VT. This event is scheduled about a week before Fall Foliage Season so, hotel/motel rooms are still available.
This is an event you should try your best to attend. Not just because of the numbers of cars (they number in the hundreds), but because this is a real fun social event in the beautiful Fall weather in Northern VT. Thursday Sept. 18th is a classic car tour of Northern VT. Then the show really gets going on Friday the 19th including a big reception for all attendees Friday night.
One of the major events at this show is the tug of war between competing clubs cars. Saturday and Sunday are show days with Peoples Choice judging. So it isn't always the squeaky clean concours cars that win as the trophy as our 65 will attest.
The vendor area has grown over the years to include general British goods as well as new and used auto bits.
For more details on this event contact: Mike Gaetano tel: 508-497-9655 fax: 617-237-6811 e-mail: rroc@world.std.com
The next and last event on the calendar for us will be Fall Hershey. Wednesday October 8 through Sat October 11.
We will have a car in the Car Corral. It may be our 53 Somerset Coupe or our new 1949 A90 Atlantic Convertible. We will probably not bring one to sell as we may be down to one running Austin by then. (a condition necessitated when moving to MA where the usual collectors car insurance is not available). However, we have found the Car Corral at Hershey a great place to meet Austin Owners. Hope to see some of you there.
We will list any members car or any car for sale that might be of interest to our members. However, we cannot list your cars and parts for sale if you have not been in touch with us recently with updates on what has been sold, etc.
The 1927 Austin Seven/Dixi prototype car now has all the parts necessary to put this most unusual "Chummy" back together. The last 5 years have been spent finding various missing pieces (speedo, steering wheel, etc.). When completed this car will be the oldest in the BMW line. Doubly interesting because BMW has recently purchased the current descendant (the Rootes Group) of the Austin Motor Company. There is too much to list. If you are interested at the $3500 price call and get details. The Austin Seven parts alone would sell for more than the asking price if parted out.
1950 Devon partly restored. most of the body work done. probably cheap. Canada
1932 12/4 Saloon 4 door very nice driver $8,500 US car in Canada.
1954 Somerset Coupe partly restored. body painted. Needs upholstery, top, mechanicals around $8,000 NC
1953 Somerset Coupe Older restoration. arguably the best driving Coupe anywhere. We have owned it since 1974. MGB conversion with A-H 4.11 rear gears. could easily be changed back to original. Hartz cloth top. rebuilt original engine ready to go. Complete MGB 5 bearing short block with all new parts. bearings, cam, oil and water pumps, lifters, gears, chain and tensioner etc., etc., Plus lots of additional parts. $9,500
We could not list all the mechanical items we stock for Sevens and A40s. With almost $75,000 in inventory, we have or can get any mechanical part you need to restore your Austin and keep it running. Parts will only be listed if they are unusual or not normally available.
Sevens
A40 parts
Misc. parts for sale
We have to clear out our storage space this fall and are offering these great deals so we don't have to move it or junk it.
I had to take 12 A40 engines to the scrapper last fall because no one spoke up for them and I still have lots of other stuff that will have to go so please give us a call at (508)420-9472 or e-Mail me at austnworks@aol.com
Happy Austineering
Doug