Description
This is a very original and well sorted 1946 Austin 8.
Current owner bought it in 2016 and at that time it was a runner - just - but needed a lot of work. I have had a new fuel tank made, relined all brakes, reconditioned the starter motor, dynamo and voltage regulator (all by specialists), the engine has been professionally rebuilt (by Headshop in Warrington) with new piston rings, main and big end bearings, valves etc and the gearbox has also been refurbished. High performance ignition coil and new points and distributor cap with new plugs. It’s done about 2300 miles since the rebuild and is now run in (it was very tight at first)
New ball joints and shock absorber linkages have been fitted
The trafficators still work but are complemented by flashing indicators, there is a high level rear brake light and LED headlights make night time driving a possibility
The car starts on the button every time, and has five New Cross ply tyres on it
It is very driveable and great fun
It will cruise all day at about 45mph with occasional bursts at 50mph
The seats and interior are original. The fuel gauge does not work but everything else does
There is an Optima AGM red top battery in to aid starting (6Volt) but the original lead acid battery is also available with the car
There are a few spares with it as well.
This car has a lovely patina - it’s never been restored, merely maintained. There is no rust anywhere.
Here is a link to a video
- details above latest MOT is dated 1994 with a recorded mileage of 49589, which is more or less what it was in 2016. Current mileage is 52118 (probably genuine given the history file) The history file is like a museum exhibit.
There is the original bill of sale from Evan’s and Kitchen in Birmingham, full service records with the original owner every six months from 1946 to 1966 - mainly by Evan’s and Kitchen but including an engine rebore and gearbox refurb in 1966 by another company, insurance documentation from 1946, RAC membership documents , even petrol ration coupons. The original owner owned the car up to 1983 when the green logbook was replaced by a V5. I have the green registration document as well as the V5
The original owner kept it at the same address for nearly 40 years!
Nothing much seems to have happened to the car between 1983 and 2016 although it did change owners (all in the West Midlands) a few times
