mk1-forum.net

BMC built 14 Austin beach cars in late 1961 > early 1962 and presumably this is one of them. BMC went so far as to give them their own chassis number prefix.

There were also some Morris badged versions.

This particular one has an SPL chassis number. It would therefore appear that it is not one of the production ones. It pre-dates them. FE number dates to 1960. Pre-dates Elfs/Hornets too.
An even bigger shame if it cannot be saved.

First production Beach car chassis prefix A/AY1L built 22-12-61 last one 19-03-63.

As Trevor say,
There are now two SPL Beach cars numerically 47 cars apart, a Saloon and this Elf/Hornet with it's late July 60 FE number.

Jeroen Booij wrote:Trouble lies ahead...
http://maximummini.blogspot.com/

Looks like a happy ending! According to new owner 'Reymondos'.....he has posted today on AustinRoverOnline forum 'In the News'
http://www.aronline.co.uk/

Quote:
"Finally Success.
The car was saved, but I had to remove the chassis number plate and a considerable sum.
From now on, the only way is up.
Right now I am having the squashed roof section beaten into shape."

good result.

Well done

cant wait to see some new pictures, that is a awesome project and to find one so complete amazing.

Jens Christian

JC T ONE wrote:and to find one so complete amazing

Makes you wonder why it ended on the scrap yard in the first place... Anyhow; great news!

Great news. I love happy endings.

For those interested more info/pictures have been posted by Reymondos on Austin Rover Online,
On Topic:
http://www.aronline.co.uk/
Quote:
I found out some of my Beach Cars history.

It was previously owned for many years by someone who worked in cargo ships. It was a gift from the shipping company owner. Some Greek magnate (there are a few apart from Onassis).
This person drove the car around in the summers and kept the car in excellent condition.
Then in the late '90s he died and a friend's friend who lived nearby tried to buy it many times over from the widow but she had sort of gone crazy.
When the widow died all her belongings were sold off and so it was bought by a restaurant owner.
The car was left standing outside a car bodyshop garage for about three years and then ended up parked outside the owners restaurant.
On November 10th 2010 it was sent to be scrapped.
On December 16th 2010 it was saved by me.

The only question mark now is who the shipping magnate was, and how long he kept the car before giving it away to his employee.

Considering it spent a good few years parked outside its a right miracle the car is so complete and rust free.

Further update by Reymondos on the Beach Car on AROnline:
http://www.aronline.co.uk/forum/viewtop ... 44&t=16722

Quote:
The restoration is going well. I have reached the paint shop!!

I am thinking of what to do with the interior of my beach car.

All colour pictures of cars all seem wrong to me.

More Mini based beach cars, but this time from Italy:
http://maximummini.blogspot.com/2011/04 ... -cars.html