Which is why they were sold as Austin Metropolitans in the UK... We had this discussion some time ago on another thread. Although we knew they were originally 'Nash' Metropolitans, I still remember the UK ones as Austins.Originally Posted by Ray Bell
Sorry, I missed that conversation...
And I think the photo I posted was about the second one I've ever seen in my life. And I have been around for a while.
shifting slightly sideways here but have just purchased a 1958 Austin A95, very rust free with very good mechanicals, paint & chrome poor, a blank canvass at the moment as not sure what to do with it, not worth restoring, any idea's out there or pictures, cheer's
Kevin, how about the Hooters Vintage (Pre 1960) race series, that big old six would be ideal.
They ran a lot better in 3-litre form...
And if you want to cheat (depending on how 'loose' the rules are) you can get a bit more out of a 1962 or later head. Better yet, out of a Healey 12-port head. And enhance the handling by going to an alloy head.
Kevin, will be good to see .. and a few mods won't go amiss either..
Car is for sale again in Holland - has Belgium Registration and appeared at the " Interclassica " A Motor Show in Maastricht Holland in January 2020.
More details to follow -as will put the Old and New information together for a story - previously was in photos part of Post #243 Page 13 from 2016 - this from Post #703 Page 36 in April 2019.
A recent photo of the car again with a Replica of the Original Victoria Australia Registration of " GTV 16 ".
In 2016 it had that Plate but under Queensland Registration
Photo from Hans Van de Kerkhof who was at the Show.
Those Austins were amazing at Goodwood, 2018 - but they certainly weren't standard!
I know that there are those who think that by limiting mods to almost zero, entry level is easier, but the other view is that limited period mods make the cars far more interesting to drive - and to watch. Why not two classes, as to see and hear those A95s on full song and drifting through the corners was for me, one of the Goodwood highlights?
Entries in just about all classes seem to be plummeting this year and without good entries, there is only one long term outcome.
Kev, make it like your own old car. I will ensure you can compete! (Still have some influence) I hope to see you in May. To hell with buying technology, downport your own, just like you did way back when, it's beyond time you got recognition for that.
Last edited by Oldfart; 02-09-2020 at 10:14 PM.
My old A90 was bored out to 3LTR. moded head with 3 carb's & cam, went well, will not be doing any meck mod's at present just cosmetic as zink based chrome & bumpers are not good, have removed bumpers alreay & looks much better, mag wheels perhaps, jeep will fit but not sure yet, don't want to do it wrong.
Thank's Rhys, just need to get roadworthy at moment, reg on hold so very little to do, will then look for cyl, head etc, need's a bit of time on repaint but not sure if I will get away with bumpers removed, does look better without them, look forward to seeing you in may, regard'sKev, make it like your own old car. I will ensure you can compete! (Still have some influence
Jeep will fit? I think not...
The Austins have a 5" PCD, Jeeps were 5.5" in period, they came down to 4.5" some time in the eighties I think. I don't know of any 5".
Rover were 5", I think some Jaguars were, Austin 3-litre DeLuxe of course, Austin Kimberley/Tasman were 14" with 5" PCD.
5" PCD is a bit passé today...
Edit - Hold the phone... you are right! Cherokee and Grand Cherokee from '99 and some other Jeeps (Wrangler etc) had 5" from 2006 or so.
Last edited by Ray Bell; 02-10-2020 at 01:26 AM.
Ah bumpers. Had this battle in the past. If people want to risk impossible to replace trim and bumpers on a race track. More fool them. As long as the car is tidily presented, that should be the guideline. The MG bumpers are solid and straight so I took fibreglass moulds off them.
Insisting on all original exterior trim is fine if all you want are Mustangs, Escorts Minis and MGBs, where spares are plentiful and repro items available, but we want (sorry, I want) variety on the track and I'd far rather see one A95 out there without bumpers than no A95 at all. These aren't BMW E30 control classes we are talking about, but older cars of different engine capacities and performance. There is no level playing field, so why try and make it level?
If it were to run as 'in period' in Australia, bumpers would be a non-issue...
Barry Gurdon ran such a car with a supercharger, he did retain his bumpers but bored it to 2857cc (this was prior to the release of the 2912cc engine) and I have no doubt it had other seriously non-standard additions.
Yes bumpers are beaten up rusty mess so not really pos to even take moulds off, late model Jeep with 5inch or 127 mm pcd but they have a large offset, but come in sizes 16X7 upwards will fidd something with about 100MM if I can
There was only one big Austin racing at Goodwood in 2019. It was the Nick Jarvis 1958 A105 of 2639cc, driven by Benoit Treluyer. It had a great dice with a 3.4 Jaguar and after the Jag had a minor off, it then battled with a Mk II Zodiac driven by Andre Lotterer.
Last edited by Milan Fistonic; 02-10-2020 at 09:33 AM.
Milan,second photo - with " BUY 1 " a famous Jaguar Mark One - the A105 seems to have a good drift on - great shot..
Kevin - a bit of inspiration, Mate ..
Last edited by Roger Dowding; 02-10-2020 at 06:45 AM.
I posted several pics from the 2018 meeting on my pics thread:
#2536 #2549 #2577 #2592
Note how flat they are cornering... Definitely an improvement on standard.
"TOL 563 was Jack Sears works supported A105 Westminster in 1958 BRSCC series - its inaugural year. After 11 races he was level on points with Tommy Sopwith (Jag Mk1 3.4), so they had a shoot-off. Both drivers were given identical BMC-prepared Riley 1.5s and had a 5 lap race at Brands Hatch. They then swapped cars and did another 5 laps - each won one race, but Sears aggregate time was 1.8 seconds lower so he became champion."
Up until then, saloons were a rarity on the race tracks as most races were for sports cars, sports racing cars and single seaters. Sports cars were often in three or four classes by capacity.
Last edited by ERC; 02-10-2020 at 08:29 AM.
Austin - H as in Austin minus H - ealey.. ERC will go and look,
Cheers Ray
photos of A90-95-105 .. for the AH story - a Healey Saloon -of course.. thanks ERC : " borrowed " these..
I am sure they look like this - Family Resemblance ..
Photo by Gerard Brown " Gidget - Austin Healey " on the Mongolian Rally - 2019.
or this - 100 Six that became a 3000 - works team car..
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote