Highlights
- Comprehensive rebuild costing over £25,000 in 2012
- Less than 600 miles driven since restoration
- Enhanced for both road and track use with higher gearing and soundproofing
- Equipped with a reconditioned 1275 Midget engine by Peter Burgess, married to a Ford Type 9 five-speed gearbox
- Comes with original documentation including the 1957 purchase receipt
The Appeal
While Austin's beautifully twee A35 may not immediately come to mind as a fitting track car, their tiny wheelbase and agile performance puts it in similar heels to its younger cousin, the Mini. They're arguably just as characterful too, loaded with that legendary British milieu.
It's here we introduce you to this gorgeous little classic - affectionately known as 'Butterball'; the previous owner purchased this car, stripped it back and rebuilt it at a cost of over £25,000. The rebuild targeted road and rally performance, upgrading almost every aspect of the car's mechanics.
Sadly, said owner's health deteriorated shortly after the car's completion. As a result, 'Butterball' has covered only 600 miles since the rebuild's completion, and has never met the track. As a result, it's a classic in utterly fine condition, ready and waiting for its new owner and its first real adventures on the asphalt.
A Ford Type 9 5-speed gearbox and Midget 1275cc engine make this a really capable classic, and we've no doubt it'll pick up plenty of well-deserved attention. Will you be the one to put 'Butterball' through her paces?
The History and Paperwork
- Registered in 1957
- The DVLA records 6 previous registered keepers
- Stripped and rebuilt at a cost of over £25,000 in 2012
- Less than 600 miles covered since
- Original brown card log book and purchase receipt from 1957 included
- Comes with a user manual, lubrication poster, and many receipts
- Historic MOTs available
- Mileage is a genuine 81,500
The Condition
- Stripped and sprayed in Buttercream yellow
- Strengthened suspension mounts
- Bonnet professionally louvred, and with leather buckles added
- Front grille modified for better air flow, (Academy spec)
- Academy spec front cool air intake
- Quick release fuel cap (original size fuel tank)
- Original spec Lucas rally reversing lamp
- Towing straps front and back
- Much of the interior was redone by Darryl Davis
- Full HRDC Academy roll cage (by Caged Laser Engineering)
- Driver's side cross brace unbolted since photos, for ease of access
- New carpets and headlining
- Sparco Sprint FIA seats
- TRS FIA harnesses (2019)
- Rewired throughout
- Mota Lita aluminium steering wheel and boss
- Additional console for tachometer, and oil pressure / temperature
- New door cards
- Glass windows with new rubber seals
The Mechanics
- Reconditioned 1275 Midget engine by Peter Burgess
- Ported and polished head
- SU carburettor (ISN type, from Marina A Plus) with K & N filter
- 4 - 2 - 1 - Sports exhaust
- Skimmed flywheel (for 7 inch Ford clutch)
- Converted to alternator
- New coil and distributor
- Bespoke aluminium Oil catch tank
- Alloy radiator with Kenlowe electric fan (with override switch on dash)
- Spin-on oil filter conversion
- Aluminium oil cooler
- Converted to Ford Type 9 5 speed gearbox
- New Bellhousing to accommodate gearbox
- Hydraulic clutch
- Reconditioned differential
- Hardened competition half shafts
- Upgraded brakes including:
- MG Midget front discs
- Metro master cylinder
- Metro servo and pedal box
- Chassis and suspension modified including:
- New Armstrong lever arm shocks
- New Poly bushes on reconditioned wishbones
- Anti roll bar fitted on front
- Rear anti-roll bar removed
- New front and rear springs
- As expected considering the limited mileage covered, the car is still in exceptional order
- We've no reports of any mechanical issues
- The vendor reports that 'Butterball' is a perky, very capable car
- They report that the car drives beautifully, starts first time and is kept on a trickle charger in a garage
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
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✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.
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