So as 2020 will be when I hang up my keyboard and mouse (at least as a way to earn a living) and we are having to sell my late mother's house it seemed the right time to retrieve "Bitza" ... it's always been on my bucket list to get back on the road.
When I first bought the A35 we pretty much rebuilt it ... two of my Dad's work colleagues ran a stock car team so taught me the basics and a bit more. Engine seemed fine so we rebuilt brakes, front suspension and the clutch and all four tyres were replaced. Plus sorted some of the dodgy wiring bodges we found. We also resprayed the Court Grey (actually a cream colour) body White as all the panels were actually different shades of cream. And some had seen better days. It only cost my £5 to buy so wasn't too surprised .. just a bit shocked that the only reason it stopped was the rivets on the brake shoes were digging into the drums!! Passed her first MOT with me with flying colours.
When I used it in the 70s I added 5 1/2" banded steels with 185 tyres, van springs (it had a habit of rubbing with passengers in car) and a remade dash (100mm diam speedo and tacho and some 52mm dials). I repainted it "Le Mans Blue" and re-trimmed it in black vinyl with foam padding, and covered the blue vinyl seats with a set of 70s bucket seat covers from an ad in HotCar magazine. A very typical 70s "Econo-Custom" as HotCar referred to them (done on the cheap basically!)
I used it a lot until it just became a bit small (family taxi and only driver!) and then it started to break, which wasn't great as I had just met the girl of my dreams .. and she wasn't overly impressed with the Austin or the fact I was always fixing it .. hence the arrival of the Triumph. (Later she realised I was useful to have around as I kept her A40 going until it was smashed up while parked outside some friends and I rebuilt a MkII MG Midget for her ... even if my finger nails were never that clean .. when I had any!)
First job was to clear the space around it of junk .. including a cooker I'd never seen in my Mum's house! (Why?). Then replace the 40+ year old tyres with something that held air .. in doing so discovered I'd put the 8" A40 Farina drums on from my wife's scrapped car. The original 7" drums were in the boot along with some other ex A40 bits. Will provide some much needed funds.
I was surprised when it moved so easily .. not so surprised when I found the brake shoes from said 8" drums in a cupboard and the brake return springs under the car! The handbrake wasn't on (and is now firmly jammed off!).
So what are the plans?
Full strip down and then put the shell on a spit. I know both sills are shot as are the bottom of the front wings (near the sills). One hinge panel (N/S) is rusty so that will get cut out and a new one welded in. All the panels will be with me later this month. Remove the rusty bits and the gunk and spray the underside with anti-chip. Fully rust proof the cavities, and a full respray.
The running gear will be upgraded to MG Midget (1330cc) as will the gearbox, 3.9 diff and Midget half-shafts, and disc brakes on front with a Metro pedal box (dual circuit master and servo) with fully hydraulic drums on rear. I've got a set of 6x13" Minilites (which is why it moves). Lowered all round (not stupidly). And replace the interior .. mainly due to mouse nibbling! Full re-wire (DIY) to make it more reliable and more up-to-date accessories (negative earth obviously).
Hence the nickname "Bitza" .. she'll be bitz of this and bitz of that by the time I'm done. Just for fun yesterday I removed the steering wheel and popped on a 10" Motolita from that old Midget we used to own .. I may need more muscles to turn it though with 6" rims and 175 width tyres .. it was more to see if the steering wheel boss fitted ok as club members were asking on our forum!
I'll add some pics soon .. have to get them down to a reasonable size to add here or host somewhere.
PS I'm still married to that "girl of my dreams" ... and she's still not overly chuffed the A35 is still around
And tell him to join the Austin A30/A35 Owners' Club - may give him the inspiration he needs 
)
