Our 1st A30 Restoration

Restoration projects and Austin related chat in here please
RMKracing1
Posts: 19
Joined: Sat Jan 14, 2017 7:50 pm
Location: Rushden

Our 1st A30 Restoration

Post by RMKracing1 »

Hi,

I thought I would set up a build log of our A30 restoration.

Myself and Dad have purchased the car after seeing them at Goodwood for a number of years.

With no welding experience it was important to find a reasonably solid base which I believe we have. Our plan is to make the A30 look like a race replica but keep its original features.
babyofo
Posts: 179
Joined: Sun Oct 28, 2012 9:47 am
Location: Loughborough, Leicestershire

Re: Our 1st A30 Restoration

Post by babyofo »

Nice one chaps, keep us update on your progress.
RMKracing1
Posts: 19
Joined: Sat Jan 14, 2017 7:50 pm
Location: Rushden

Re: Our 1st A30 Restoration

Post by RMKracing1 »

Carried out a more thorough investigation into what we actually bought last night.

Really happy at the moment with what we have found. The main bits that need welding are both outer sills, patch rear qtr, spring hangers and rear wheel arch panels.
Attachments
IMG_3704.JPG
IMG_3704.JPG (41.41 KiB) Viewed 1035 times
IMG_3703.JPG
IMG_3703.JPG (32.17 KiB) Viewed 1035 times
IMG_3702.JPG
IMG_3702.JPG (36.38 KiB) Viewed 1035 times
IMG_3701.JPG
IMG_3701.JPG (47.95 KiB) Viewed 1035 times
User avatar
beko
Posts: 1520
Joined: Wed May 27, 2009 7:25 pm
Location: Cheshire/Greater Manchester

Re: Our 1st A30 Restoration

Post by beko »

Take plenty of photos and keep us posted!
User avatar
Countryboy
Posts: 4377
Joined: Fri Nov 12, 2010 11:45 pm
Location: Leafy North Hampshire

Re: Our 1st A30 Restoration

Post by Countryboy »

beko wrote:Take plenty of photos and keep us posted!
:thumbs:
Rest Home for rusty vehicles
OVY871
Posts: 1467
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 9:15 pm
Location: Near Scarborough
Contact:

Re: Our 1st A30 Restoration

Post by OVY871 »

I agree, always nice to see the progress of a restoration, keep us updated where you can.
Neal Welch
Image
Car still going strong with thousands of miles being added to the clock.
Click the pic or here to read Ovy's story.
RMKracing1
Posts: 19
Joined: Sat Jan 14, 2017 7:50 pm
Location: Rushden

Re: Our 1st A30 Restoration

Post by RMKracing1 »

Only did a couple of small bits tonight but progress is progress!!

Removed the battery and heater box and glad to say it's all as solid as a rock under there.

Front wheels removed just to see what brake set up was behind them.

The rest of the night has been spent looking at spec for the front and rear.

What are your thoughts on

Front:- standard shocks, negative camber trunnions, fast road anti roll bar conversion,competition front springs and upgraded discs, callipers and bushes

Rear:- competition springs, panard rod, standard shocks, upgraded bushes and handbrake kit.

Be honest with your thoughts.

Thanks

Mike
User avatar
A40FARINAGURU
Posts: 16413
Joined: Tue Mar 30, 2010 8:14 am
Committee Role: A35 Registrar
Location: Birmingham (Home of the Austin)
x 21

Re: Our 1st A30 Restoration

Post by A40FARINAGURU »

rebuild it to a standard A30 are my honest thoughts :thumbs:
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)
Dave Clark
Posts: 5896
Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2008 1:00 pm
Location: High Wycombe, Bucks

Re: Our 1st A30 Restoration

Post by Dave Clark »

I don,t recommend negative camber trunnions for road use.

I do recommend telescopic shocks all round.

I suggest that higher rated front springs are an good idea, about 400 lb in
User avatar
Countryboy
Posts: 4377
Joined: Fri Nov 12, 2010 11:45 pm
Location: Leafy North Hampshire

Re: Our 1st A30 Restoration

Post by Countryboy »

All depends on what you would like to use it for afterwards

As David said, some suspension geometry that might work well on a Spridget won't suit your A30
Rest Home for rusty vehicles
Longbranch
Posts: 65
Joined: Fri Oct 30, 2015 7:56 pm
Location: Detroit, USA

Re: Our 1st A30 Restoration

Post by Longbranch »

May be a little harsh driving with those mods.

A race car is good for the track but you'll be able to tell what side a coin is face up when rolling over it...

Even competition shocks on a Sprite is too harsh for daily driving- and for every day or occasional use standard shocks are good. Even the original lever shocks when rebuilt or with thicker oil are often sufficient for "sporty" street use.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
OVY871
Posts: 1467
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 9:15 pm
Location: Near Scarborough
Contact:

Re: Our 1st A30 Restoration

Post by OVY871 »

Quite a similar spec to what I have on mine currently.
Competition springs on standard shocks I found overwhelmed them and as such I'm upgrading to uprated dampers to match the springs. Never much of an issue on smoother roads but once you found a road with a rhythmic bump the car would get a bit bouncy. I'll hopefully see what the result is soon.
With recommendations for what upgrades to do, it all depends on your driving. A standard car is perfectly fine for a lot of people, and others have gone much further!
Neal Welch
Image
Car still going strong with thousands of miles being added to the clock.
Click the pic or here to read Ovy's story.
RMKracing1
Posts: 19
Joined: Sat Jan 14, 2017 7:50 pm
Location: Rushden

Re: Our 1st A30 Restoration

Post by RMKracing1 »

OVY871 wrote:Quite a similar spec to what I have on mine currently.
Competition springs on standard shocks I found overwhelmed them and as such I'm upgrading to uprated dampers to match the springs. Never much of an issue on smoother roads but once you found a road with a rhythmic bump the car would get a bit bouncy. I'll hopefully see what the result is soon.
With recommendations for what upgrades to do, it all depends on your driving. A standard car is perfectly fine for a lot of people, and others have gone much further!
Great thanks for the info it's a great help.

I want a car that handles well when I'm finished.

What dampers did you go for and where did you get them from?
User avatar
Neil Evans
Posts: 12179
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 1:06 am
Committee Role: Technical Officer
Location: Boston, Lincolnshire
x 11
x 25

Re: Our 1st A30 Restoration

Post by Neil Evans »

A40FARINAGURU wrote:rebuild it to a standard A30 are my honest thoughts :thumbs:
I see the originality police are on duty... :whistle:
Club Technical Information Officer
A30/A35 Club Member A191 (since 1972)

Father of the club's only love child
User avatar
A40FARINAGURU
Posts: 16413
Joined: Tue Mar 30, 2010 8:14 am
Committee Role: A35 Registrar
Location: Birmingham (Home of the Austin)
x 21

Re: Our 1st A30 Restoration

Post by A40FARINAGURU »

Neil Evans wrote:
A40FARINAGURU wrote:rebuild it to a standard A30 are my honest thoughts :thumbs:
I see the originality police are on duty... :whistle:
:thumbs:
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)
Post Reply