VAR Forum

It was described as 2-seater and dickey in the 1997 list. My guess would be a non-Austin coachbuilt body probably from new but of course I could be well wide of the mark. I totally agree on the door cards and running boards. The headlamp wiring needs sorting out too and the brightwork needs to be re...

Hello Mark I would normally recommend Tom Titterton - he advertises in VAR newsletters - but he is a long way from you (Derbyshire). He does an excellent job although as with all those doing this class of work he is very busy and it may be some time before he could take it on. There must be someone ...

Hello Mike The only information I have on the 16 comes from the Austin Service Journals (Plug - copies available from Ken Davies) so I'm not at all conversant with the car, however if you are using 3/8BSF studs as the other Austin engines then take a look at the post currently 16 posts down in the t...

It last appeared in the 2014 members list at an address in Kent, so yes, it is (or was) known to the VAR.

Martin

Yes, you're right. You can't remove the barrel unless you have a key. A catch 22 situation. This is, of course, an intended security feature. The Yale version is exactly the same. Assuming you really don't want to carve great lumps of wood out of the door you need the services of a good locksmith, t...

Hello John I agree 12 thou for the magneto but be aware that not all magneto manufacturers were singing from the same hymn sheet! The majority did specify 12 but a few recommended 15 and I did find an odd one, can't remember which but it was a very early one at 25. Make sure you check the gap on bot...

Hello Mike Having been followed by two or three cars using these things I have to conclude they are TERRIBLE. Perhaps I should consider fitting a driver controlled blind to the rear window! They don't give a properly focused beam pattern, just a general flood of extremely bright light no matter how ...

Hello Ben The dynamo drive shaft is supported by ball bearings at each end within the timing case. The engine will run quite happily with the dynamo removed, in fact I ran mine for several weeks whilst I did the same job. Just check that the bearings are in reasonable order by pulling/pushing the fa...

Hello all At the AGM just held it was suggested that it may be time to find a new venue for the VAR AGM. This was triggered by the proposed increase in room hire fee charged by Gaydon. If you look in the September 2017 VAR newsletter you will see the current fee under the heading "Room Hire&quo...

A bit pricey I thought considering how much will need to be spent to bring it back to life. Almost complete though and clearly very restorable. I've seen cars rebuilt from far worse states than this. I do hope someone takes it on. Unfortunately I think "The Management" would object if I to...