[priyadarshan.b]

Hello everyone..
I have been meaning to own a classic car for a long time. now i see an opportunity as i have been offered a 1958 Austin A55 Cambridge by a guy in Mumbai for a price of 50k fixed. Following is the condition of car,

Negetive:
1. the car has no cosmetic parts like emblems and mascots, door handles etc left,
2. No interiors like seats
3. Both front and rear bumpers are missing
4. some rust along the edges of bonnet and rear boot cover
5. Not a trace of paint
6. All windshilds and windows need new glass

Positive:
1. The guy claims that the car is in running condition. From the pictures most of the parts appear to be present under the bonnet, though not in pristine condition.
2. The guy claims to have all papers valid till 2010
3. Steering wheel and dashboard seem pretty much intact
4. Headlights, tail lights and turn lights are in place though i am not sure if they are original.
5. Other than some rust, body seems to be holding good.

I have following doubts.
1. Will this be a feasible restoration project? For me, rather than paying up 2-4L for a reasonable condition car in one shot, it is easier if i pay less initial amount and spend periodically on restoration.
2. Is it possible to source all the missing cosmetic parts?
3. Does any of our Mumbai BHPians know about this car and its history?

I am a complete newcomer in this type of activity so I request all the Gurus here to advice me on this..

I will upload the pictures as soon as possible.

Regards,
Priyadarshan

[ajay99]

Originally Posted by priyadarshan.b

I have following doubts.
1. Will this be a feasible restoration project? For me, rather than paying up 2-4L for a reasonable condition car in one shot, it is easier if i pay less initial amount and spend periodically on restoration.
2. Is it possible to source all the missing cosmetic parts?
3. Does any of our Mumbai BHPians know about this car and its history?

Sourcing the parts will be easy if you look in Ebay and other european sites.
But I doubt whether the A55 is worth more than 1-2 lakhs in concours condition

[priyadarshan.b]

Attaching pictures of this car..

[ajay99]

In my personal opinion ,it is better that you look for a better car since you are new to this field

[the mole]

Originally Posted by ajay99

In my personal opinion ,it is better that you look for a better car since you are new to this field

I tend to agree with Ajay, This car is not worth restoring. In another country it would be scrapped.

[priyadarshan.b]

Thanks guys for your advices. The reason why i was considering this car is the low initial price. Anyway i will keep looking. Lets hope i get something soon.

[Stanher]

Originally Posted by priyadarshan.b

Thanks guys for your advices. The reason why i was considering this car is the low initial price. Anyway i will keep looking. Lets hope i get something soon.

Well, if it is really for a negligible low price, then might be worth picking up? Provided it has all the missing parts intact of course! Because you wont get them anywhere in India, this car being imported.

But all the same, if this is your first classic, you need to be a little more careful buying project cars. On the bright side, it'll give you a chance to learn a lot early on!

One question though- is it the pics. or is the roof cut open at the top, after the front windscreen?

[PAVAN KADAM]

Originally Posted by priyadarshan.b

Thanks guys for your advices. The reason why i was considering this car is the low initial price. Anyway i will keep looking. Lets hope i get something soon.

That car is a good project car, only if someone has loads of patience and money

On the other hand, i recently restored (Only mechanically) a looong standing 100% ORIGINAL Austin Cambridge. That car was offered to me, but since i was not interested, i let it go back to the owner convincing him to keep it. If you need this car, do let me know, i shall enquire again.

[priyadarshan.b]

Originally Posted by Stanher

Well, if it is really for a negligible low price, then might be worth picking up? Provided it has all the missing parts intact of course! Because you wont get them anywhere in India, this car being imported.

But all the same, if this is your first classic, you need to be a little more careful buying project cars. On the bright side, it'll give you a chance to learn a lot early on!

One question though- is it the pics. or is the roof cut open at the top, after the front windscreen?

@Stanher: i too had the same doubt so i called up the owner. What i learnt is the owner nefore him had tried to restore the car and ended up messing with it. He wanted to make it a convertible so the roof was cut. And the missing parts were lost during that restoration effort..

Originally Posted by PAVAN KADAM

That car is a good project car, only if someone has loads of patience and money

On the other hand, i recently restored (Only mechanically) a looong standing 100% ORIGINAL Austin Cambridge. That car was offered to me, but since i was not interested, i let it go back to the owner convincing him to keep it. If you need this car, do let me know, i shall enquire again.

@Pavan: This cambridge looks nice. But looking at the impressive condition, that too original, i dont think it will come cheap. How much is he expecting by the way?

I suppose for a newcomer a morris/austin/vw car would be a better option than other rare cars. I would love to get a Fiat 1100 but unfortunately that car does not have much appreciation at my home.. :(
Does anybody know of such cars available?

[priyadarshan.b]

By the Pavan, Isnt that red and white beauty in the background your latest restoration - the 1962 Standard herald Mk2?
She looks fantastic..to you..

[Edsel Rulez!]

Looks as if your Austin will call for some serious moolah and effort. Sourcing parts will be your biggest headache. Incidentally, those tail lights would look more at home in a 90s Ambassador.

[anjan_c2007]

Looking at the car's condition, I too have reservations about its restoration to the original condition.Sourcing the bumpers and even smaller parts like door handles,tail lights and glasses will be quite an expensive affair.Actually this model was not sold in huge numbers in India and only a few CBU cars were imported. In 1955 the government totally restricted imports of cars levying huge custom duties.So very few of these Austins had come along with the smaller sibling the A 30. Hence, the spares will be impossible to find unless sourced from abroad.
The rust and paint jobs can be well taken care of at any good garage.
And as ajay99 has pointed out this model in a great condition will not be worth more than Rs 1-to 2 L, but I will say Rs 1.5 L- won't even put it at Rs 2L.
So unless you are sure you will be able to source the spares do not go for it.

[priyadarshan.b]

Thank you folks for stopping me in time from doing something rash. I now see that this definately wont be a good idea for a first project..

[ajay99]

Originally Posted by anjan_c2007

Looking at the car's condition, I too have reservations about its restoration to the original condition.Sourcing the bumpers and even smaller parts like door handles,tail lights and glasses will be quite an expensive affair.Actually this model was not sold in huge numbers in India and only a few CBU cars were imported. In 1955 the government totally restricted imports of cars levying huge custom duties.So very few of these Austins had come along with the smaller sibling the A 30. Hence, the spares will be impossible to find unless sourced from abroad.
The rust and paint jobs can be well taken care of at any good garage.
And as ajay99 has pointed out this model in a great condition will not be worth more than Rs 1-to 2 L, but I will say Rs 1.5 L- won't even put it at Rs 2L.
So unless you are sure you will be able to source the spares do not go for it.

with anjan sir, even 1.5lakhs is a fancy price for an A55.Just put that 2lakhs so as to avoid the accusation that I am quoting low prices

[anjan_c2007]

Originally Posted by ajay99

with anjan sir, even 1.5lakhs is a fancy price for an A55.Just put that 2lakhs so as to avoid the accusation that I am quoting low prices

Thanks Ajay. Actually commenting on the prices is not my area exactly, but I found your grasp of old car prices quite reasonable and more or less accurate.
I however felt that the A 55 does not have much of a novelty value attached to it and hence spoke about it.
I am sure an old 1958 Ambassador or a Fiat Millecento of 1958 will appreciate in value and have a better liquidity if resold as these cars are loved and cherished in our country due to their charismatic appeal.These are restored with greater ease too!