1969 Austin America

[KevinSmith]

1969 Austin America

Anybody know anything about these little cars? Parts avaliability and a little advice would go alomg way.

 

[HGreen]

Here's the little I know about them - from the 64-66 time spand. A girl friend had one, had an 1100 cc engine, that was shared by the MG Midget/Austin Healey Sprites, they were front wheel drive. They were a step up from the Mini Cooper as a size larger. As I recall, I can't remember her having much trouble with it. I drove a 59 Bugeye Sprite at the time. Engine parts should not be much trouble, don't know about transmission/differentials. I had forgotten about the Austin American until your inquiry.

 

[ScottLewis]

In the 50's and 60's, Austin engines were used in a fairly wide variety of small cars, including the Metropolitan from Nash. I had one of those and it had a A40 series engine. It was a tough little beggar that got fair mileage for it's time but rode like a skate board. I carpooled witha couple of pretty good sized guys who sure looked funny crammed into it.



Dan

 

[Motorhead]

Just remember... ..... IT'S BRITISH!!!!!!!
I have worked on a few British cars and alot of British motorcycles. They are NEAT but mechanically BACKWARDS.
Ever heard the term " LUCAS, Prince of Darkness"? Lucas makes the electricals and well... ... . I think the Quote says it.
Is that car an AUTOMATIC?

 

[PJay9]

I forget whatthey were called in England, but there was a good share of them on the road in the UK... I was there from 70 to 74. . USAF.



Lucas Had to chuckle as i rememebEr the quote now! I bet if yopu google you'll find lots of info. Didn't they have an air type suspension? It really wasn't a MINI Not even close to a Cooper Mini! It was a transportation car with more room.



I think they had rust issues at the front struts in the UK. If I could I'd love to have a Morris Minor Estate Wagon Woody in Green and tan leather... . that would be fun!!! :>) IT was a British VW.

 

[opjohnny]

When I was a kid my father had a MG 1100 sedan, it looked just like that. It too had rust issues. The suspension was hydraulic not air. No springs. It had to be pressurized once when we owned it.

 

[FourBarR]

My Daughter had an Austin America Auto. Biggest piece of crap I ever saw. If there was a forecast for rain it wouldnt start, brake problems ,transmission problems,electrical problems. Lucus electrical stuff is awful, have worked on english airplanes with it. (Brittian Norman Islander) Best of luck with it.

 

[RHestand]

My Daughter had an Austin America Auto. Biggest piece of crap I ever saw. If there was a forecast for rain it wouldnt start, brake problems ,transmission problems,electrical problems. Lucus electrical stuff is awful, have worked on english airplanes with it. (Brittian Norman Islander) Best of luck with it.

FourBarR,

Ditto to your post except change daughter to wife and Austin America to Morris Minor.

That car was the most mech. backwards car I've ever worked on.

The car had nothing going for it except my wife thought it was "cute".

The 4 spd. trans. would break low gear at the drop of a hat, (no low gear synchro) it steered and handled like a 1920s farm tractor, no H. P. I could go on and on.

After I R&R the 3rd trans. in 2 years she finally said "Let's get rid of this POS. ) Needless to say, I was a very happy camper.

Ray