[john a milne]

This is an important Car that belongs to the Army here in Calcutta and has been a regular at the Statesman Car Rally. Finally it would appear that the Army are going to have Sanjay restore it. Not a "Done Deal" but close. Close enough for me to jump a gun a little and start this thread.

I had first mentioned the Austin on Sanjay''s - Restorer/Collector thread and felt that this restoration project should have it's own thread. Some detailed comments have already been posted and I would hope that these could be moved here.

Will try and post some photos of the engine compartment.

[john a milne]

Here's a few more photos for the record.

[karlosdeville]

It is very gratifying to know the Army regularly participates which such a coveted car. It is even more gratifying to see that efforts are being made to restore the car professionally, instead of the hand brushed finish usually found on vehicles restored internally by government organisations. Kudos to them.

[rajiv ghosh rac]

Hi, Friends, not exactly to much work yet on the car. We are just starting work, couple of oil primer coats are on the car to protect from the severe rains in cal, and now the car will proceed for further body work. Will keep posting as and when work is done, cheers !!

rajiv

[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by rajiv ghosh rac

We are just starting work, couple of oil primer coats are on the car to protect from the severe rains in cal, and now the car will proceed for further body work.

Am glad this historically significant car has got a new lease of life. Will she remain in the same colour?

What do you propose to do about the bumpers? Have you tried successfully hand crafting large intricate bumpers before?

[anjan_c2007]

Great car to look at and also a pleasure to read that the Indian Army is keen to restore it. Three stars affixed means its been the GOC-in-C's car who is of the rank of a Lieutenant General. I had also seen an Oxford blue Mercedes Benz 220D, an early 1970's model in use for many years by the GOC-in -C Eastern Command till the 1980's.They might be preserving the Merc too.

This is a restored Austin Sheerline

[wasif]

Did these cars actually come with clear glass on the headlamps? There is a similar car with Rashid Nawab in Hyderabad and it also had clear glass which i had assumed to be a mod reorted to when correct glass could't be found.

Does the car have the hydraulick jacks on all the wheels ?

[MARCUS_520i]

What about the empty slot in the grille - is it missing something???

[wasif]

what empty slot / which picture ???

[V-16]

That slot holds a monogram.

[Prabal]

For the benefit of those who might have missed the original (and genuine 'insider') info on this car in another thread, here's the link:

(Calcutta-Restorer/Collectors-Sanjay Ghosh)42

[wumpletoad]

Originally Posted by wasif

Did these cars actually come with clear glass on the headlamps? There is a similar car with Rashid Nawab in Hyderabad and it also had clear glass which i had assumed to be a mod reorted to when correct glass could't be found.

Does the car have the hydraulick jacks on all the wheels ?

Wasif,

Yes, the Sheerline headlights (Lucas P90) had plain glass as standard.

And, yes again. The Smiths "Jackall" system raised all four corners of the car. It is interesting to see an early variant of Herbert Austin's "Knee Action" front suspension.

If this vehaicle was manufactured in 1940 (as opposed to being imported at that time), it is rare, as apart from a very few staff cars, Longbridge then was wholly engaged in production for the military.

Wumpletoad.

[rajiv ghosh rac]

Hi,
Friends, the body work of the sheerline is in full swing, car is fully dismantled with most of the body parts being repaired, oil primered and dented. As and when the work is progressing i will post more pictures.

Regards
Rajiv..

[erik3239]

I can't say that Austin did not make Sheerlines in 1940 (for the army or other state organisations), but I think it is unlikely. Officially the model was introduced in 1947. It's engine and maybe other mecanical parts was lance as a truck (lorry) engine in 1939, and I think Austin and others had other things to worry about in the years between 1940 or 1945
The model has resently be subject to an artikle in the British magasine, Practical Classis, where it informs, that the first 12 cars was produced with a 3460 cc engine, called A110, the rest of the 7851 units was built with a 3993 cc version af the engine, called A125. This also makes it unlikely, that the car is from 1940 as it seemes to be called A125
Erik

[karlosdeville]

Rajiv, how far has the car progressed? Do keep us posted, and do share some pictures of the current state.
Thanks.