UOL 524 1957 A35 Restoration
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UOL 524 1957 A35 Restoration
Hello everyone
This is the story of the restoration of a '57 A35 two door finished in Court Grey with red trim.
This car has been family owned from new and is in original unrestored condition with only the usual minor repairs and changes carried out during everyday use until the 1980s. Since then it has largely been tucked away in a lock up garage for years but was briefly recommissioned in 2008 and even attended a National Meeting. An assessment of its condition was then made and in 2012 a full restoration project was started to bring it back to its former glory.
The plan is not a concourse restoration but a factory as new look, bearing in mind this was a mass produced car made on a moving production line yet remembering quality were it counts. I'll be looking to try and build in the original factory character such as wonky seam sealing, graffiti, blobs, missing washers, extra washers, upside down paint runs, hand painting and horse hair (although I'm not sure about that one) amongst other things, that give these cars their wonderful character!
The car has undergone a complete strip down, a bath at SPL to get rid of the hidden rot and then a coating of black electro prime. The body has then had the dents and other minor imperfections ironed out and the lead loading replaced at the appropriate body seams. It has been repainted in original Court Grey with matching wheels and grill, initially with the bolt on panels off, but will have a final finishing with the panels back on.
In the meantime I've been refurbishing sub assemblies with a view to keeping as many of the original parts on the car as possible and trying to find original parts to replace the ones that can't be saved.
There's been plenty done, but still plenty to do, so I'll try and cover what's been done so far and then indicate when I'm in "real time". The plan is to have the A35 up and running for the 2017 season - wishing myself good luck there...
This is the story of the restoration of a '57 A35 two door finished in Court Grey with red trim.
This car has been family owned from new and is in original unrestored condition with only the usual minor repairs and changes carried out during everyday use until the 1980s. Since then it has largely been tucked away in a lock up garage for years but was briefly recommissioned in 2008 and even attended a National Meeting. An assessment of its condition was then made and in 2012 a full restoration project was started to bring it back to its former glory.
The plan is not a concourse restoration but a factory as new look, bearing in mind this was a mass produced car made on a moving production line yet remembering quality were it counts. I'll be looking to try and build in the original factory character such as wonky seam sealing, graffiti, blobs, missing washers, extra washers, upside down paint runs, hand painting and horse hair (although I'm not sure about that one) amongst other things, that give these cars their wonderful character!
The car has undergone a complete strip down, a bath at SPL to get rid of the hidden rot and then a coating of black electro prime. The body has then had the dents and other minor imperfections ironed out and the lead loading replaced at the appropriate body seams. It has been repainted in original Court Grey with matching wheels and grill, initially with the bolt on panels off, but will have a final finishing with the panels back on.
In the meantime I've been refurbishing sub assemblies with a view to keeping as many of the original parts on the car as possible and trying to find original parts to replace the ones that can't be saved.
There's been plenty done, but still plenty to do, so I'll try and cover what's been done so far and then indicate when I'm in "real time". The plan is to have the A35 up and running for the 2017 season - wishing myself good luck there...
Last edited by AustinofEngland on Sun Sep 10, 2017 1:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
AUSTIN - you can depend on it!
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Re: UOL 1957 A35 Restoration
Original rubber mat still present but crumbling away
Original engine with usual period added washer system and no heater
Remains of the battery tray and wiring loom very fragile but still sporting some of its cotton braiding
Underside hot spots appear solid but lots of heavy surface corrosion
Last edited by AustinofEngland on Sun Sep 10, 2017 10:00 am, edited 2 times in total.
AUSTIN - you can depend on it!
Re: UOL 1957 A35 Restoration
Should make a lovely car once done
Re: UOL 1957 A35 Restoration
Looks like a good time to fit a heater! UOL is a Birmingham reg from about April 1957.
- A40FARINAGURU
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Re: UOL 1957 A35 Restoration
very original, registered around the time our 'UOM' March 57 (goods)
Nick Bayliss
Club's A35 (Saloon) Registrar, South Midlands Area Contact
Email, a35@austina30a35ownersclub.co.uk
Connected with A30/A35's for 63 years
A30/A35 Member A1372 (since 1981)
Club's A35 (Saloon) Registrar, South Midlands Area Contact
Email, a35@austina30a35ownersclub.co.uk
Connected with A30/A35's for 63 years
A30/A35 Member A1372 (since 1981)
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Re: UOL 1957 A35 Restoration
by rights April/May 1957 but just checked DVLA's website December 1957????,Paulc wrote:Looks like a good time to fit a heater! UOL is a Birmingham reg from about April 1957.
Dec 57 should be 'VOL' or 'VON'
Registration number: UOL 524
Vehicle details
Vehicle make AUSTIN
Date of first registration 31 December 1957
Year of manufacture 1957
Cylinder capacity (cc) 948 cc
CO₂Emissions Not available
Fuel type PETROL
Export marker No
Vehicle status Tax not due
Vehicle colour CREAM
Vehicle type approval Not available
Wheelplan 2 AXLE RIGID BODY
Revenue weight Not available
Nick Bayliss
Club's A35 (Saloon) Registrar, South Midlands Area Contact
Email, a35@austina30a35ownersclub.co.uk
Connected with A30/A35's for 63 years
A30/A35 Member A1372 (since 1981)
Club's A35 (Saloon) Registrar, South Midlands Area Contact
Email, a35@austina30a35ownersclub.co.uk
Connected with A30/A35's for 63 years
A30/A35 Member A1372 (since 1981)
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Re: UOL 1957 A35 Restoration
Paulc wrote:Looks like a good time to fit a heater! UOL is a Birmingham reg from about April 1957.
Yes, all the electrics have a 4 57 date mark on, a heater is the eventual plan but will be built as original in the short term except for the washer system of courseA40FARINAGURU wrote:very original, registered around the time our 'UOM' March 57 (goods)
Yes that's the plan, your Countryman looks a challenge though!beko wrote:Should make a lovely car once done
Interestingly I believe it has been recorded as built with a green interior, no doubt down to poor record keeping by Austin
AUSTIN - you can depend on it!
- A40FARINAGURU
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Re: UOL 1957 A35 Restoration
i notice it even has the original key fob
Nick Bayliss
Club's A35 (Saloon) Registrar, South Midlands Area Contact
Email, a35@austina30a35ownersclub.co.uk
Connected with A30/A35's for 63 years
A30/A35 Member A1372 (since 1981)
Club's A35 (Saloon) Registrar, South Midlands Area Contact
Email, a35@austina30a35ownersclub.co.uk
Connected with A30/A35's for 63 years
A30/A35 Member A1372 (since 1981)
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Re: UOL 1957 A35 Restoration
Oh yes! Wait until you see what the unused one looks like... but I'll cover that later. Just one of the many things I picked up researching these cars.A40FARINAGURU wrote:i notice it even has the original key fob
AUSTIN - you can depend on it!
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Re: UOL 1957 A35 Restoration
Getting stuck in one of the many areas I thought it was going to be a hole in the end
With the wing off, I definitely thought it was through corrosion here! The other side it was the same
With the wing off, notice that the rubber seal that presses against the wing has actually sealed the original "Rotodip" paint from the panel and it was still shiny bare steel underneath. The bottom of the wing against the sill looks quite thin though.
Rust starting in the top edge between the wing plastic beading strip, notice the red stains from hand wet flating of the red primer at the factory, real history there
The Rotodip holes
Flaking rust between the front panels
Well under way.
Last edited by AustinofEngland on Sun Sep 10, 2017 10:01 am, edited 5 times in total.
AUSTIN - you can depend on it!
- A40FARINAGURU
- Posts: 16413
- Joined: Tue Mar 30, 2010 8:14 am
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Re: UOL 1957 A35 Restoration
Nick Bayliss
Club's A35 (Saloon) Registrar, South Midlands Area Contact
Email, a35@austina30a35ownersclub.co.uk
Connected with A30/A35's for 63 years
A30/A35 Member A1372 (since 1981)
Club's A35 (Saloon) Registrar, South Midlands Area Contact
Email, a35@austina30a35ownersclub.co.uk
Connected with A30/A35's for 63 years
A30/A35 Member A1372 (since 1981)
- A40FARINAGURU
- Posts: 16413
- Joined: Tue Mar 30, 2010 8:14 am
- Committee Role: A35 Registrar
- Location: Birmingham (Home of the Austin)
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Re: UOL 1957 A35 Restoration
'i spy' original factory mounting boxes under the front floors, that tells you a lot as most have long since gone...
Nick Bayliss
Club's A35 (Saloon) Registrar, South Midlands Area Contact
Email, a35@austina30a35ownersclub.co.uk
Connected with A30/A35's for 63 years
A30/A35 Member A1372 (since 1981)
Club's A35 (Saloon) Registrar, South Midlands Area Contact
Email, a35@austina30a35ownersclub.co.uk
Connected with A30/A35's for 63 years
A30/A35 Member A1372 (since 1981)
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- Joined: Mon May 09, 2016 7:05 pm
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Re: UOL 1957 A35 Restoration
Yep, and still able to support the weight of the body.A40FARINAGURU wrote:'i spy' original factory mounting boxes under the front floors, that tells you a lot as most have long since gone...
I noticed that the front dampers and steering gear have "colour coded" bolts, this fits with period factory press shots of a van in "body in white" and must have been a way of protecting the fine threads from paint during the spraying process. Bolts were then removed and refitted during final assembly but with unpainted washers. (I notice there is no "anorak" in the smilies...)
Last edited by AustinofEngland on Sun Aug 20, 2017 11:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.
AUSTIN - you can depend on it!
- A40FARINAGURU
- Posts: 16413
- Joined: Tue Mar 30, 2010 8:14 am
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- Location: Birmingham (Home of the Austin)
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Re: UOL 1957 A35 Restoration
again they were used for mounting brackets in the factory hence they've got paint on themAustinofEngland wrote:Yep, and still able to support the weight of the body.A40FARINAGURU wrote:'i spy' original factory mounting boxes under the front floors, that tells you a lot as most have long since gone...
I noticed that the front dampers and steering gear have "colour coded" bolts, this fits with period factory press shots of a van in "body in white" and must have been a way of protecting the fine threads from paint during the spraying process. Bolts were then removed and refitted during final assembly but with unpainted washers. (I notice there is no "anorak" in the smilies...)
Nick Bayliss
Club's A35 (Saloon) Registrar, South Midlands Area Contact
Email, a35@austina30a35ownersclub.co.uk
Connected with A30/A35's for 63 years
A30/A35 Member A1372 (since 1981)
Club's A35 (Saloon) Registrar, South Midlands Area Contact
Email, a35@austina30a35ownersclub.co.uk
Connected with A30/A35's for 63 years
A30/A35 Member A1372 (since 1981)
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- Posts: 204
- Joined: Mon May 09, 2016 7:05 pm
- Location: Burton upon Trent
- x 13
Re: UOL 1957 A35 Restoration
Yes last used in "body drop" over the running gear...again they were used for mounting brackets in the factory hence they've got paint on them
AUSTIN - you can depend on it!