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I have an opportunity to buy an Austin 850 in South Africa Chassis number AA2S7*****. Can anyone tell me the build date from that?

The car has:
Glass washer bottle
Square drainage holes in doors
Round passenger door lock
Factory made drain holes in front roof gutter
Small rectangular drain holes in rear roof gutter
No drip rail
Two holed glass
Multiple positions for locking window catches

I will appreciate any help! Thanks

Is it the blue one?

Its supposed to be a 59, but apparently there is no paperwork for it.

I have eyes everywhere

I have deleted the chassis number details to avoid the same car magically appearing in the UK in a couple of months. The number was in the 17*** range so is more likely to be a 1960.

I've never understood the big hoo haa about a '59 build date, a Jan '60 is no different a car with the same early features. I might start a '1960' club for all those poor souls that missed out.

Pete wrote:I've never understood the big hoo haa about a '59 build date, a Jan '60 is no different a car with the same early features. I might start a '1960' club for all those poor soles that missed out.

....splitter!!!!!

mk1 wrote:Is it the blue one?

Its supposed to be a 59, but apparently there is no paperwork for it.

I have eyes everywhere

I have deleted the chassis number details to avoid the same car magically appearing in the UK in a couple of months. The number was in the 17*** range so is more likely to be a 1960.

Wow Mark, that is impressive

This one was resprayed bright blue (surf blue?) but was red originally. It's had its original interior replaced and is running an SA 1098cc motor.

I was hoping someone could tell me the month in 1960 when this car was born.

If you look on the MOCSA site galleries, there is an unmolested Feb 1960 with a chassis number in the 15000's. I've read several of the early features were changed in May 1960 (can anyone confirm?). So perhaps that means this one is between Feb and May. Were glass washer bottles and round lock knobs still around then? (still learning about the earliest one's!)

Please, someone, tell me the month

Bill Bell of the 59 register is probably the best person to give you all the detailed change points etc.

Bill is a regular poster here & on other forums.

This sort of detailed info is way beyond my pay grade

Were you talking about the Blue one advertised for R6000 on Gumtree and Cape Ads?

Or the other one advertised as a 1959 that was almost 95% complete?

R6000 on Gumtree and Cape Ads?

Sounds familiar

I can get you closer until the '59 Register can pin point the date for you.
For Austins, mid-15000s will get you into mid-February 1960.
High 17000s will be around the first 10 days in March 1960.

I agree wholeheartedly with the above dates, 1st to 2nd week of March would be my estimate too depending on if it was early 17k's or late..

All the listed features are correct for an early 60. Late 59's don't have factory front drain holes. Gutters are early May 60 and the square drains in the ends of the doors are late April 60. Sounds like a nice car.

I've never understood the big hoo haa about a '59 build date, a Jan '60 is no different a car with the same early features. I might start a '1960' club for all those poor souls that missed out.

The 59's are trouble enough, imagine taking on the 60 builds!!

I'll join your new club Pete with my 60's

cheleker wrote:I can get you closer until the '59 Register can pin point the date for you.
For Austins, mid-15000s will get you into mid-February 1960.
High 17000s will be around the first 10 days in March 1960.

Thanks guys,

This car confirms your information http://www.mocsa.co.za/our-galleries/ca ... austin-850

Early 15000's Austin with a 2 60 date on the wiper motor.

The one I can get is also an Austin almost exactly in the mid 17000's.

Unfortunately the car has been fitted with a rod change gearshift to go with the 1098cc motor & box. It is missing its original speedo, missing its gear lever (would it have been the straight one?), missing its 850 motor, missing its original interior. Apparently SA cars would have had locally made interior upholstery, so getting it back is probably a lost cause. Might have to opt for a Newton set.

Decisions, decisions...