Welcome! My RU-vid channel is now mainly about my 1973 Mk3 Austin 1300 Super Deluxe.
This late 2 Door model was originally my Uncle Tom’s first car in 1976 but it was laid up for 40 years. I’m attempting to do it up in a single garage with basic tools, a little knowledge and lots of perseverance & patience.
My first goal is to get the Austin roadworthy. I can then take my Uncle out for a nostalgia trip back to the good old 70’s...I know that he would love to get his old flares out again..
After that I’d like to have a full restoration done as soon as I’ve won the lottery.
Please bear in mind that I’m aware that not everything I do is done the ‘best way’ as I have to strike a balance with limited finances, space, time and tools. This is what I am doing, just trying to do the best with what I have available, but as they say...don’t try this at home!
I’d recommend watching this saga from the first video in the link further below or click on the playlist tab above,
Spotted this car in Southwold yesterday. Absolutely lovely restoration, and I loved the Feu Orange air freshener hanging on the dash - that was a great little touch and took me back to my dad's old cars of the 1970s.
Really pleased to see you back with your truly ‘hands-on’ restoration of this very deserving survivor. You are going to be rewarded with some great trips driving it to all sorts of interesting places. Well done, and thanks.
Welcome Back !! We have so much missed the humour & content... fascinating real life budget rebuild. Very invested and interesting as when I grew up this model/make was our 'Family' car...lovely trip down memory lane.
It’s great to see you back! I was worried the car wouldn’t be finished. Keeping the original wheels is surely the best thing to do if possible. Well done. They were such under valued cars. Keep up the good work!
Expect 30 MPG. We built an electronic CDi ignition by Elecronise design for dad. £15 if I remember circa 1975 from Practical electronics mag. Totally reliable, still 30 MPG. It used the points as a switch and could revert if required. As far as I know in 87 000 miles it was totally reliable except a clutch thrust bearing. Even that didn't fail on the road. I fixed it or made dad know we could. Both really. Fantastic winter starter.
Sounds like you had a very good Austin indeed. They were good times when anyone could work on a car and work together with friends & family...not so much these days perhaps
Mine was a new old stock item I got on ebay few years ago, search for feu orange air freshener on ebay and you should see some new old stock for 26 quid and some replicas (about half the price). If you get one, you can keep refilling it with scent using a syringe. I haven't got around to that yet but I like the look of it anyway - reminds me when I was a nipper being driven around at speed in my Uncle's 3.0S JPS Capri!
I think it 100% needs to stay on steel wheels. Completely correct for the car and period. They look amazing done! I have lots of problems getting work done on my Mini's 12" wheels, so feel your pain. Looking forward to the next video!
I understand that Japan really liked this car. My dad who had a Blaze 1300 died about when this thread stopped. It means a lot to me to see it restart.
Like so many, welcome back, so nice to see the project continuing. Great choice for the wheels remaining stock. Look fab. Cannot wait to see more videos being posted.
I've been checking your channel every now and then, knew you would be back one day. Very excited to see how the restoration proceeds. Wheels look fantastic 👍
Thought I hadn't seen anything from you in a while! Amazing work as always. Inspiring that you've done it all with off-the-shelf stuff and elbow grease. Literally a labour of love, and great that it's staying in the family.
Remember as a child in the 1970s seeing BMC 1100/1300 all over the place on UK roads. Small wonder when they were in the top-ten for best selling UK cars.
Yes same here. I didn't really like the Austin's much as my Dad used to have them and..well they were not the best examples... but now I miss seeing all the old cars from the 70's and 80's. Even the boring ones look cool now!
Good to have you back ,been waiting a long time for this .Was worried something had happened to you during covid . Hoping to see this running round Lowie some time soon
Hay, so glad your back, really enjoyed your rebuild, at the time of watching this I'm just up the coast from you in Corton on Holiday. I sometimes wonder why tire shops bother opening anymore, they never want to do any actual work!
I am so pleased that you have not given up on the Austin 1300. It will be worth it once you have completed it. You are already so far down that road already.
I had wondered what had happened to this project….so great to see it’s still progressing !. The Austin 1300 was an under rated comfortable transport at the time and a good car to work on, plenty of room around the engine and tried and tested mechanicals. The suspension was the only troublesome part I think, keeping it ‘pumped up’ if the gas vessels started to leak.
Great to see you back! Just unpacked the case's after arriving on holiday, sat down to watch a bit of you tube, thought haven't this chap for a while then bugger me I see you live in Lowestoft, I'm on holiday at Pakefield holiday park...👍
