Description

1957 Austin A35

First owned by Austin themselves; few owners, the second of whom kept it for 30 years; only 62,325 miles indicated which seems likely to be correct; a really genuine A35 in super condition throughout

Austin’s answer to the Morris Minor, the bulbous A30 was launched in 1951 and marked a radical departure for Austin, being their first model to feature a fully stressed monocoque that was much lighter and stiffer than a conventional ladder chassis.

Best of all, it was the first car to use the everlasting ‘A-Series’ overhead-valve 803cc engine. The braking was a hybrid system, with fully hydraulic drum brakes up front and rod operated drums at the rear. Suspension was by way of independent coil springs at the front end and beam axle/semi-elliptic leaf springs at the back.

In late 1956 the A30 was replaced by the A35, an almost identical model with the exception of a slightly larger 948cc engine producing 34bhp, a painted grille, a larger rear window and indicators in place of semaphore signals. Autocar tests showed a top speed of 72mph, with 0-60mph taking 30 seconds. Fuel consumption was a modest 41.5 mpg.

Then as now, the A35 was adored by racers who found the engine endlessly tuneable, the monocoque body exceptionally stiff and the handling second to none, as anyone who has seen the A35’s giant-slaying exploits in the St Mary’s Trophy race at Goodwood will know!

As the original buff logbook confirms, this Tweed Grey A35 was first registered to the Austin Motor Company of Longbridge in January 1957. It remained in the firm until June 1959 when it was acquired by a Mrs May Hastings of Coventry who was to keep it for the next 30 years.

In 1989 it was acquired by a Mr A Nelmes of Enfield who kept it for 21 years before selling it to a Mr N Shaw of Barnsley in 2010. He kept it until 2016 when it was acquired by the current keeper.

Old MOTs and tax discs imply that the car was in storage from 1977 – 1989, the odometer showing 54,994 miles during that period. By the time of its most recent MOT in 2011 (which it passed with no advisories) it was showing 61,830 miles and it has only done another 500 miles since. Given the overall condition of the car, it seems likely that the current 62,325 mileage is correct.

Although there is no real maintenance history with the car, it has clearly been cherished throughout its life and it really does look wonderful. The carpets look fairly new but the interior seems otherwise original and is all the better for it with a lovely patina. The period Autolux transistor radio must be a collector's item in its own right.  

Supplied with sundry useful spares, a parts catalogue, an original workshop manual and two more modern manuals, it retains its original UOC 166 number plate which is transferable and doubtless has a value of its own.

Starting promptly and running well as we have moved it around on site, this is a really genuine old A35 that doubtless has another 65 years of useful life ahead of it.

For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com