A few people have asked about the magnetic lights we use. They're designed to be used for photography, but we use them more for working on cars now. They're so handy 😂 Anyway, we decided to set up an Amazon store to show some of the bits we use in our videos and they are in there. The address is - www.amazon.co.uk/shop/ukbarnfinds Amazon will pay us a small commission for any sales, but that does not affect the price you pay.
Congratulations Elton on the new addition , you're cornering the market, mate !.She's a late example , as you say registered in Surrey in June 1956.Look forward to more episodes .All the best to you, Claire and the family for Christmas !.
Thank you so much, and a Merry Christmas to you and yours, too. The A30s do seem to be attracting more A30s and I’m not complaining. Such cool little cars. 2024 is going to be a year of learning about them for me.
You two are the absolute right people to make this happen Claire's enthusiasm is boiling over in these videos and its rubbing off on you elton you both have the right mindset and vision for these lovely rare cars looking forward to seeing the next step in this revival from what I can see it looks solid and hopefully it is it will be running soon Wishing you both a happy Xmas and a peaceful new year
Thank you so much. We'll have an update on this one soon. Not a great deal has happened over Christmas, but we have started to make this one look a bit more presentable.
Really great video, excellent quality filming and sound as always. I hope you make sure that all the items you've found in the car stay with it as part of its history. It would be great if you could take it to a show with all those items inside !
Great to see another A30 rescued, I've been watching your channel since the last A30 rescue and find it all most interesting. Keep up the good work. Happy Christmas Elton and Claire.
A couple of months ago, you knew what an A30 was, but knew nothing about them. Now, you own three of the wee beasties.....and I'm a very jealous man! I must say though, that after your efforts and the steep learning curve on the little green fella that the grey one has a very good chance of coming good with minimal stress as it all looks to be in familiar territory. The grey one looks so much like my first car - even to the mileage she has and including the Axminster cut-offs. Mine had the colour coded ash trays on each outer edge of the lower dashboard though and the dent was in the driver's door, not the passenger's one. Another factory-fitted Smiths heater with the Bakelite switch to the left of the wiper switch, so it's geek heaven for me! Those central revolving ash trays were period after-market affectations, as was the radio...although knowing the A30 as I do, I am surprised about its placement due to the amount of water that comes in through the windscreen seal! Trivia time - the Axminster cut-offs were often put in to protect the original carpet from dirty feet...as well as a replacement for the original carpet instead of the original carpet (or after said carpet rotted away) due to the aforementioned leaky windscreen. The interior for the Tweed Grey painted vehicles had only the two options - a bluey-grey vinyl with a bluey-grey cut-pile carpet or a deep red vinyl with a deep red cut-pile carpet. The ivory vinyl with light grey carpet was not offered for the Grey cars - although it would have been striking, I think - and they never did a tan or black vinyl option...ever. Most aged vinyl that looks tan or brown is actually a sun-burnt red and the red carpets tended to fade to almost a beige. My car had the blue/grey interior and I think you'll find yours was originally the deep red. The anomaly is the green driver's door card. Although the green vinyl (and carpet) was an option for green or white vehicles, it was never offered for the grey cars, so I suspect the reason for it's being there would be due to damage of the original or maybe what came with a replacement door. The car looks to have had at least one external respray, but she does look good and solid...albeit with the typical front panel rust. The front bumper is a strange one too - not for the A30 that's for sure. Likewise, the wheel trims are an aftermarket affectation and very of the period. The wheels / hubcaps for the A30 and A35 never changed throughout the models' production and were just the basic dome with the scalloped transition between face and side. Under the bonnet has nothing that would scare me and the engine is indeed another 803 (easily picked by the spin-on oil filter). The engine number is more likely to be stamped on the block with punches in the usual place rather than as a rivetted-on plate. Good to see she still has the Zenith carb and oil-bath filter too. The breather hose being crimped as it is will be due to time and is not a huge issue - people used anything from tap-water plastic hose to car heater hose to bridge the gap when the original gave way and if you cut them too long, they do what that one has done. Lovely to see the original Trico metal blades still being used for the wipers too - and yes, they are still available new. A HUGE plus that she's already turning on the crank, so let's hope that with a spark and a bit of fuel that she lights off first pop, eh? Looking forward to seeing that. Maybe you could change your focus a bit and rename the channel to A30 Barn Finds UK?? I'd certainly be keen to see them all come out the woodwork - just a shame I'm on the other side of the world and can't give you a hand or buy one off you when you find it! All the very best. Hope your Christmas was wonderful and all the best for the new year.
Please don't worry about overdoing the A30 thing as you put it. There are a lot of us who love these classics. Congratulations on the latest addition to the family and cannot wait for the next video. Expat Watching from Alberta Canada.
Enjoyed watching that. I remember my grandfather (I'm 71) had an A35 in black...happy days. It was also quite funny looking at the one odd door card. I bought a brand new, 5 door Corsa C back in the day and it was delivered from factory with one odd door card on one of the rear doors.......and they didn't spot it on the PDI. Took ages to get a new one. I doubt there will be many 'modern' cars that'll have a story to tell in 50/60 years time.
Delving through gloveboxes, parcel shelves and footwells really is fascinating. You get to learn so much. Even since the video was recorded, more bits have turned up, including quite a few coins and a 1973 Scotch Egg wrapper 😂 I’ve got a feeling that’s when it was parked up. Merry Christmas!
You dont need to "try to make this youtube thing work" anymore, Claire and Elton. The fact that a viewer contacted you about this car wanting you to have it proves you're a success.
That’s very true. Thank you. We’ve had quite a few very fulfilling benefits to creating videos here. For example, yesterday, an 87-year old posted a reply in the comments on this video and I can’t tell you how happy that made us both. P.S. don’t tell anyone, especially Claire, but I sneaked out to the workshop today and the bolts on that thermostat housing turn easily. Praise be to the WD40 I sprayed on them 😂
I can't believe it, another A30! You two nice people are the perfect custodians. It is amazing how many genuine discoveries like this dear little car are out there. All the very best to you and your family for 2024. 😊
Thank you 🙏 You're correct about the discoveries out there. waiting to be found. We are privileged to be shown quite a few 'behind the scenes' and hope to show as many as possible over the coming months.
I would give my right arm for one of those Austin A30 's. My grandad had one and it was fantastic. It NEVER let him down . Even in the dead of winter it would start by just looking at the key. He spared no expense on it. Every weekend he would wash n wax it and do any required maintenance. If it was 30 miles till it's next service and he had a 40 mile journey to do, the car got serviced first before he did that journey no matter where he was. We were on holiday one year when the service was due and he did it before we drove home right there in the pouring rain outside the caravan on the grass. He carried what he called the basic essential tools in a small tool box in the boot/trunk. Me and my grandma would be sat in the back and grandad and his best mate Buster the jack Russell would be riding shotgun. Memories that bring tears of joy to my eyes. Sadly I wasn't old enough to drive when my grandparents passed so I missed out on inheriting the A30. Had I have done so I would still have it today just for his memories sake.❤
Another great find.. The flasher indicators and windscreen washer are both later additions - also the radio. The original radio, if fitted, was a 12v valve set. The lights actually dimmed when you switched the radio on and it took a minute or two to warm up. The high voltage required for the valves was generated by a vibrating mechanism that you could hear humming.
I literally just came across your channel today, Boxing Day 2023. Subscribed! Tons of interesting content to catch up on I see. Dual Brit Canadian here. Currently at the family home in Canterbury UK and other home is Vancouver Canada. My mum here in the UK has a rare classic 1978 Mini Clubman saloon, owned from new with 84,000 miles on the clock. We haven't driven it in 4 years but it's well protected under a very high quality cover. We go to many classic car shows every year, including the big NEC Classic Car Show (all 3 days) as well as the NEC Restoration Show in March (2 of the 3 days). I'm surprised at the amount of dust etc that this A30 has gathered, even though it's been 45 years. What a wonderful and cute barn find though! Seasons Greetings to You both! 🇬🇧🇨🇦
Great to have you on board! Claire and I only started making stuff properly for UA-cam earlier this year and it’s been a steep learning curve. If you’re going backwards through the videos, you’ll probably notice how much we’ve had to learn 😂 We’ve got a Mini Clubman, too, but the estate version. Between us, we’ve had quite a few Minis over the years, but a Clubman saloon is one I’ve never managed to have. One day…. Hope you’re having a good stay and all the best for what’s left of the Christmas break. Looking forward to showing you some more content in 2024 👍🏻
I reckon that came off the road in the early to mid seventies. I wonder if it has the original 803 engine - many/most had a 948 A35 engine fitted later on. They're such dinky things - I must own one at some point. The oldest I ever went back was a a '59 Mini.
I'm loving these A30 videos. You make a great team and produce excellent quality videos, which makes the content even more watchable. Growing up travelling far and wide in the back seat of 408MRF, my Dad's light green A30 takes me back sixty years. Good luck with this latest one, and I can't wait to see how it progresses!
What another amazing find. Very jealous, would love one of these little A30's. She looks very solid for being laid up for so long. Tweed grey is lovely on these too. Can't wait to see you get this one going!
Another fantastic video,you two are so " normal and natural" easy to relate to, so nice to see Claire getting so involved and knowledgable, do not apologise about so many A30's, you could fill your unit with these cute little cars and still get the views, looking forward to the clean and start up video,best wishes to you both.
Thank you. That’s a really lovely comment to read. We’d have a whole barn full of Austins, happily. We’d still leave a little space for a couple of other cars, though 😀
Petula Clark’s Turner A30 Sports was initially Surrey registered 1 BPC and PET took delivery June 13th 1956 if that helps with a timeline for this car. Great find!
Excellent. I’m looking forward to seeing how this one cleans up too. You guys will soon be A30 experts. Hope you had a great Christmas and am sure the channel will go from strength to strength next year. 👍🏼
We definitely won’t get rid of it. We’ll get a few plastic storage boxes in the new year and keep everything that comes with each of these cars, as it all forms part of the history.
i am a 87year young man and i remember driving one of those cars . as i seem to rember they were three farward gears , and they were a grand old car, very reliable. i look forward to see her running again, sorry about the spelling i skipped a lot of scool , and i am a bit of a numpty with my computer , PLEASE KEEP FINDIG THESE OLD CARS chears and have a nice christmas and give that doggy a nice bone .8888
Thank you so much for commenting. We definitely want to keep saving cars. It’s what we enjoy and sharing it on UA-cam seems to bring a lot of joy to people like yourself, which makes us even happier.
Another great barn find! Looking forward to the clean up and first start. I think you need to find 4 more A30's so Claire has one for each day of the week!😄
Well done on that find. These baby Austins were very much the small car of choice in the fifties. Loved them then and you two are the guys to get them back onto the road. Happy Christmas.
Thank you. We’re learning so much about their history and, honestly, had no idea how prolific they were and how instrumental the A30 was in mobilising families who couldn’t previously afford a car. Proper little legends!
Well done both. Once you have one, it’s never enough. Looking very original. Rad and gear knob is correct, they did three versions over the years. Mushroom, round and the later mini type. Should have a red door card like the others, been changed at some point. Look forward to the start up!
Well done Elton & Clare on the new edition to the family. I love watching your video dairy of your finds. I thought this was the digging PPW out video @ first. As i only just discovered you guys one PPW arrived. Can't wait to see this one all Cleaned up 😊.
Another excellant video from two lovely people, very well produced.👍👍. Pour some hot water over that thermostat housing corrosion and watch it disappear. Have a great Christmas🙂
Thank you. We do seem to have gathered a few cars these past few years. We'll be thinning out the collection next year, I reckon. Hope you have a great Christmas and thanks again for your support.
@@UKBarnFinds , keep as many as you can, I know it’s not always practical or easy and is petrol heads always have the same trouble, space! But I know that it’s hard to choice what will stay and what will go and as soon as they go you want them back. All best for the New Year and keep up the good work 👍💪
🎅merry Xmas Claire & Elton Great channel 😊😊 I own an Austin a30 myself and sits in the family garage business in stoke on the ramp Mine has working trafficators ,engine upgraded with 948 engine and discs brakes at the front . Great first video guys The switches on the right of the dash are obviously the indicators and have been retro fitted at a later time 😊 I reckon the grey door card issue is possibly a replacement door or simply a scrap yard find for a replacement and not original because the others match the seats😊 😊😊 Yes definitely got mouse nests in there so have a fire extinguisher ready if the wiring has been chewed through only the fuse protection for the Austin’s are not adequate and the fuses are too big and even the lighting isn’t protected correctly either at all or straight the battery via the regulator A1 connection as the one I’ve got is and I’ve changed mine for a new fuse box and an addition to split the circuits up 😊being a qualified electrician i see these things The wiring loom on mine was changed by the previous owner but he failed to change all the connectors which had perished all the wiring from the bullet connectors ( original ) black through connectors had also perished 😮 We turned the lights on for a while and the connectors were warm and melting 😊😊 Please be aware of this going forward and always use a safety battery isolator on the earth connection and screw it off when not in use 😊 I know you don’t need a heater duct but you can get them no problem I bought one for mine 😊😊 Always have a CO2 or Dry powder extinguisher 🧯 always close to just in case Anyway have a fabulous Christmas and look forward to seeing the little peanuts progress Oh your green one has an off side rear flat lol 😂 Great stuff Phil Green
Hey Phil, thank you so much for your comment. Just looked you up on UA-cam and have subbed to your channel 👍 We love our bikes too albeit the small engined variety 😂 - Claire
@@UKBarnFinds No problem My little Austin’s on there if you get time to look and me using the starter handle last year at the garage I’ve had a few cars to do up ie 4 MG midgets, triumph Herald plus now bikes but still have my Austin A30 tho only had it for 3 years so I’m still learning on these but I always check the wiring first myself once it’s up and running Thanks for the sub 😊🎅🎅
It’s fair to say that she’s the only one who puts the effort in on the glamour front. And she does a good job. A pair of steel-toe capped boots and some saggy-bummed jeans are about my level 😂 Merry Christmas!
Hi and my grandad worked on the we cars on the Austin production line. My dad tells me that his dad told him that it was not unknown for a car to appear on the line with a 2 door aperture on one side and 4 on the other !!
The turquoise blue 2 door A30 I owned in the late 1980’s (SXO 627) was first registered in June 1956, it’s still taxed until June 2024 according to DVLA. That car also had the huge heater which was quite effective with the fan on. Mine also had the metal sunvisor fitted, in body colour, no other options were fitted to it. Great to see your collection of these little Austin’s gradually growing. Your latest A30 is Tweed Grey and Red trim would likely have been standard. Happy Christmas to you and Claire. 🎄🎅🏻👍
Meetens were at Coombe/West Wimbledon off the A3 at the Coombe Lane flyover. Had about 5 of the 1930s shop units. Specialised in single cylinder and similar engines for boats/motorbikes, you could get whole engines or spare rings / plugs / etc. They probably did rebuilds. Not certain when they closed, deffo there till the mid 1980s
What a nice car again! It amazes me that the bodywork is in a reasonable good condition. In The Netherlands where I live near the sea, the bodywork would have had holes and rust all over. And would need a lot of welding and restoration before it would pass an MOT. Can't wait to see the car being washed and cleaned. And you have such a relaxed way of filming all, it's nice to watch. Wish you two a Merry Christmas!! Take care!!
Yes we would definitely rather look at Claire than you Elton! ❤ Great content as always and the production and editing is always more than professional making the longer videos easy to follow and watch 🔥
I’m trying my hardest to be offended here, but I’d rather look at Claire, too 😂 Thank you for the comment about the editing. That’s Claire’s passion/nemesis (depending on how it’s going!) and I still find it hard to believe how she does such a fantastic job, given the chaotic household we live in. ~ Elton
Just came across your channel. Great stuff. As a Yank I am not familiar with the cars you are working on. However I did own a Morris Minor for a short time and I auto crossed a Sprite Mk 2. Also crewed a MGBT that went to the 24 hours of Daytona in ‘73 or ‘74. Dropped a valve at 11 hours in. You must be the English version of Vice Grip Garage. Keep it up!
Absolutely wonderful - another cheering video and very enjoyable as Christmas arrives. I notice that the seats in your latest A30 are very similar in construction to those of the A35 (launched in the summer of 1956), and this type was used in the very last of the A30s, indicating that yours must be a 'late' example. Good luck with the car, again it will be fun, and happy Christmas. Thanks for your great videos; Happy Christmas and New Year.
That's a great car if you don't throw a lot of quid at it. Earlier this year, I saw an Austin (in beautiful black and freshly restored) sell at auction, in the UK, for 4,000 Pounds! These are great little cars that go a long way on a little petrol. My philosophy on barn finds is " how solid is the body?" Mechanicals are easy and inexpensive if you do the work yourself but body work costs quite a bit to sort out, especially if the "tinworm" has been chomping away. I love these videos about barn finds and your channel popped up on my computer screen this morning. I will follow you and the little Austin going forward. From Connecticut in the States, Merry Christmas. Cheers!
Thank you so much. We are what we are, so it’s good that the videos come across that way. We’d be terrible actors, anyway 😂 A Merry Christmas to you, too.
I know it's getting a bit expensive nowadays, but given the VIN you should be able to obtain a Heritage Certificat from the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust as they keep records of all Austin 1945-69 Postwar and BMC models. This would tell you the original colour, of car, trim, etc.
Also my grandfather said it was not unknown for a car to appear with a van roof vent !! Grandad died 40 years ago so I can't ask him myself . He eventually worked in the West works on the mini line from 1959 to his retirement in the 70_s. Simon
I believe that is not the original number. I would expect a car of that age to have letters before numbers. Its good that the engine is not seized. However, it looked like there is no compression. Maybe sticky valves. If so, I know a man who can fix that! The wheel trims are aftermarket accessories. And just for the record Claire, I for one are very pleased to watch your presentation. And I am confident there are many others of the same opinion! My Dad's 1961 Singer Gazelle had a valve radio. This one being solid state will be younger than that. Also the air horns will maybe have been in the 60s. I believe the long gear lever means it is not a late A30. My father's A30 Countryman had the short lever, like those on the A35. Another great find! Love it.
fantastic video i watched the previous car great explanaintion of the car i actually remembered my father passing his car test and him bying one of these as the family car just beautifull has reminded me of my late father him washing and polishing the austin thank you for that xmas present on xmas day
Another great video and what a great barn find . . Youl have a fleet before to long . . . A30 retro taxis for 2 . . . Take the front seat out for easy entry and exit . . Get the inside look fab and leave the outside as part of your brand . . Anyway enough of my waffle . . . Have an awesome christmas . . . Will be a hot day but rain by the looks for us here in Hamilton in New Zealand . . Looking forward to more from you both next year . Take care . . 💐🍻🙏⛄️🇳🇿
That's a lovely little find ! I'm sure you'll get it started as it is but if that head gasket is the correct one for the car it might give a clue as to why it was parked. Have fun with it . Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
the wheel embellishers were sometimes aftermarket sometimes an upgrade option from the dealer - invoice would show , was there a A30 "delux" version ? The missing filler cap use those now not legal plastic "fan" ones while on site. Likewise the ashtray was a delux option on the 1959/60 Morris Minors so must be a BMC thing
Hi Elton and Clair, Well done with your latest Barn Find. I quite liked these little Austins, my first girl friend's brother had one of these in the same shade of grey. We used to go out as a foursome on many occasions in it. The tan seating colour is the correct trim colourfor this colour model. The green door card is a replacement and is more akin to your green PPW bit not the right size. I notice you have some other interesting cars in your workshop, presumably keepers. What part of Suffolk do you guys live in? I live in Brandon which is at theost North Westerly point before the Norfolk border. I've had some classics myself in past years. You should give a friend of mine's channel a look, Alex's Assets, she currently owns 4 classic cars and her daily driver is a Rover P4 named Jesse.. She has names for all of them. She is very knowledgeable and does mist of the work on them herself. Together with her boyfriend , Remi, she has just recently bought a Ford Galaxy Fairlane. It's a shame she doesn't live closer to us, as she lives in Gloucestershire Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you both. Take care, Jon Barnes.
Thanks, Jon, we’ll check out that channel. We’re near Ipswich. We do have a few cars between us, most of which haven’t appeared on UA-cam. We’ve also got a few that have appeared here, but we haven’t filmed updates on for a while. That’s on the calendar for 2024.
A few people have asked about the magnetic lights we use. They're designed to be used for photography, but we use them more for working on cars now. They're so handy 😂 Anyway, we decided to set up an Amazon store to show some of the bits we use in our videos and they are in there. The address is - www.amazon.co.uk/shop/ukbarnfinds
Amazon will pay us a small commission for any sales, but that does not affect the price you pay.
Congratulations Elton on the new addition , you're cornering the market, mate !.She's a late example , as you say registered in Surrey in June 1956.Look forward to more episodes .All the best to you, Claire and the family for Christmas !.
Thank you so much, and a Merry Christmas to you and yours, too. The A30s do seem to be attracting more A30s and I’m not complaining. Such cool little cars. 2024 is going to be a year of learning about them for me.
You two are the absolute right people to make this happen Claire's enthusiasm is boiling over in these videos and its rubbing off on you elton you both have the right mindset and vision for these lovely rare cars looking forward to seeing the next step in this revival from what I can see it looks solid and hopefully it is it will be running soon
Wishing you both a happy Xmas and a peaceful new year
Thank you so much. We'll have an update on this one soon. Not a great deal has happened over Christmas, but we have started to make this one look a bit more presentable.
Im getting so much joy from the old wrappers etc. i was born in 1973 so at the same time I'm realising I'm knocking on a bit now 😮
Really great video, excellent quality filming and sound as always. I hope you make sure that all the items you've found in the car stay with it as part of its history. It would be great if you could take it to a show with all those items inside !
Great to see another A30 rescued, I've been watching your channel since the last A30 rescue and find it all most interesting. Keep up the good work. Happy Christmas Elton and Claire.
A couple of months ago, you knew what an A30 was, but knew nothing about them. Now, you own three of the wee beasties.....and I'm a very jealous man! I must say though, that after your efforts and the steep learning curve on the little green fella that the grey one has a very good chance of coming good with minimal stress as it all looks to be in familiar territory.
The grey one looks so much like my first car - even to the mileage she has and including the Axminster cut-offs. Mine had the colour coded ash trays on each outer edge of the lower dashboard though and the dent was in the driver's door, not the passenger's one. Another factory-fitted Smiths heater with the Bakelite switch to the left of the wiper switch, so it's geek heaven for me! Those central revolving ash trays were period after-market affectations, as was the radio...although knowing the A30 as I do, I am surprised about its placement due to the amount of water that comes in through the windscreen seal! Trivia time - the Axminster cut-offs were often put in to protect the original carpet from dirty feet...as well as a replacement for the original carpet instead of the original carpet (or after said carpet rotted away) due to the aforementioned leaky windscreen.
The interior for the Tweed Grey painted vehicles had only the two options - a bluey-grey vinyl with a bluey-grey cut-pile carpet or a deep red vinyl with a deep red cut-pile carpet. The ivory vinyl with light grey carpet was not offered for the Grey cars - although it would have been striking, I think - and they never did a tan or black vinyl option...ever. Most aged vinyl that looks tan or brown is actually a sun-burnt red and the red carpets tended to fade to almost a beige. My car had the blue/grey interior and I think you'll find yours was originally the deep red. The anomaly is the green driver's door card. Although the green vinyl (and carpet) was an option for green or white vehicles, it was never offered for the grey cars, so I suspect the reason for it's being there would be due to damage of the original or maybe what came with a replacement door. The car looks to have had at least one external respray, but she does look good and solid...albeit with the typical front panel rust. The front bumper is a strange one too - not for the A30 that's for sure. Likewise, the wheel trims are an aftermarket affectation and very of the period. The wheels / hubcaps for the A30 and A35 never changed throughout the models' production and were just the basic dome with the scalloped transition between face and side.
Under the bonnet has nothing that would scare me and the engine is indeed another 803 (easily picked by the spin-on oil filter). The engine number is more likely to be stamped on the block with punches in the usual place rather than as a rivetted-on plate. Good to see she still has the Zenith carb and oil-bath filter too. The breather hose being crimped as it is will be due to time and is not a huge issue - people used anything from tap-water plastic hose to car heater hose to bridge the gap when the original gave way and if you cut them too long, they do what that one has done. Lovely to see the original Trico metal blades still being used for the wipers too - and yes, they are still available new. A HUGE plus that she's already turning on the crank, so let's hope that with a spark and a bit of fuel that she lights off first pop, eh? Looking forward to seeing that.
Maybe you could change your focus a bit and rename the channel to A30 Barn Finds UK?? I'd certainly be keen to see them all come out the woodwork - just a shame I'm on the other side of the world and can't give you a hand or buy one off you when you find it!
All the very best. Hope your Christmas was wonderful and all the best for the new year.
Please don't worry about overdoing the A30 thing as you put it. There are a lot of us who love these classics. Congratulations on the latest addition to the family and cannot wait for the next video.
Expat Watching from Alberta Canada.
The cars sure look different then the United States cars, Where are you located. Sounds like you are having fun showing that car off.
Enjoyed watching that. I remember my grandfather (I'm 71) had an A35 in black...happy days. It was also quite funny looking at the one odd door card. I bought a brand new, 5 door Corsa C back in the day and it was delivered from factory with one odd door card on one of the rear doors.......and they didn't spot it on the PDI. Took ages to get a new one. I doubt there will be many 'modern' cars that'll have a story to tell in 50/60 years time.
Love the archaeological dig. Cant wait to see it going. Merry Christmas to you both.
Delving through gloveboxes, parcel shelves and footwells really is fascinating. You get to learn so much. Even since the video was recorded, more bits have turned up, including quite a few coins and a 1973 Scotch Egg wrapper 😂 I’ve got a feeling that’s when it was parked up. Merry Christmas!
Claire, yet again, takes us on a magical mystery tour back in time. Well done for the acquisition. Great story about the £2 between 1978 - 1983.👍👏👌
You dont need to "try to make this youtube thing work" anymore, Claire and Elton. The fact that a viewer contacted you about this car wanting you to have it proves you're a success.
That’s very true. Thank you. We’ve had quite a few very fulfilling benefits to creating videos here. For example, yesterday, an 87-year old posted a reply in the comments on this video and I can’t tell you how happy that made us both.
P.S. don’t tell anyone, especially Claire, but I sneaked out to the workshop today and the bolts on that thermostat housing turn easily. Praise be to the WD40 I sprayed on them 😂
Cheers, mate, compliments to Claire for the opening sequence appearing to be on that old TV.
I can't believe it, another A30! You two nice people are the perfect custodians. It is amazing how many genuine discoveries like this dear little car are out there. All the very best to you and your family for 2024. 😊
Thank you 🙏 You're correct about the discoveries out there. waiting to be found. We are privileged to be shown quite a few 'behind the scenes' and hope to show as many as possible over the coming months.
Another lovely video, thank you so much indeed. It is so much fun to discover the barn/shed finds together with you guys. Loving it. Cheers, Chris
I would give my right arm for one of those Austin A30 's.
My grandad had one and it was fantastic.
It NEVER let him down . Even in the dead of winter it would start by just looking at the key. He spared no expense on it. Every weekend he would wash n wax it and do any required maintenance. If it was 30 miles till it's next service and he had a 40 mile journey to do, the car got serviced first before he did that journey no matter where he was.
We were on holiday one year when the service was due and he did it before we drove home right there in the pouring rain outside the caravan on the grass.
He carried what he called the basic essential tools in a small tool box in the boot/trunk.
Me and my grandma would be sat in the back and grandad and his best mate Buster the jack Russell would be riding shotgun.
Memories that bring tears of joy to my eyes.
Sadly I wasn't old enough to drive when my grandparents passed so I missed out on inheriting the A30. Had I have done so I would still have it today just for his memories sake.❤
Another great find.. The flasher indicators and windscreen washer are both later additions - also the radio. The original radio, if fitted, was a 12v valve set. The lights actually dimmed when you switched the radio on and it took a minute or two to warm up. The high voltage required for the valves was generated by a vibrating mechanism that you could hear humming.
The engine number has either fallen off or the tab was removed to re-face the block during a re-con process.
Another A 30 for the fleet! When Claire mentioned Bet Lynch all I could think of was Fred Gees Rover in the lake!!!
The things we remember from our past, eh? 😂
I literally just came across your channel today, Boxing Day 2023. Subscribed! Tons of interesting content to catch up on I see. Dual Brit Canadian here. Currently at the family home in Canterbury UK and other home is Vancouver Canada.
My mum here in the UK has a rare classic 1978 Mini Clubman saloon, owned from new with 84,000 miles on the clock. We haven't driven it in 4 years but it's well protected under a very high quality cover. We go to many classic car shows every year, including the big NEC Classic Car Show (all 3 days) as well as the NEC Restoration Show in March (2 of the 3 days).
I'm surprised at the amount of dust etc that this A30 has gathered, even though it's been 45 years. What a wonderful and cute barn find though!
Seasons Greetings to You both! 🇬🇧🇨🇦
Great to have you on board! Claire and I only started making stuff properly for UA-cam earlier this year and it’s been a steep learning curve. If you’re going backwards through the videos, you’ll probably notice how much we’ve had to learn 😂
We’ve got a Mini Clubman, too, but the estate version. Between us, we’ve had quite a few Minis over the years, but a Clubman saloon is one I’ve never managed to have. One day….
Hope you’re having a good stay and all the best for what’s left of the Christmas break. Looking forward to showing you some more content in 2024 👍🏻
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Australia. I love what you are doing to save the little old cars.
What a fantastic find, these are such cute cars, must subscribe and see how you get on. Good on you for saving another bit of our motoring heritage!
I reckon that came off the road in the early to mid seventies. I wonder if it has the original 803 engine - many/most had a 948 A35 engine fitted later on. They're such dinky things - I must own one at some point. The oldest I ever went back was a a '59 Mini.
I'm loving these A30 videos. You make a great team and produce excellent quality videos, which makes the content even more watchable. Growing up travelling far and wide in the back seat of 408MRF, my Dad's light green A30 takes me back sixty years. Good luck with this latest one, and I can't wait to see how it progresses!
You should check the date on the newspaper in the battery tray, I reckon around mid to late 70's it was stored away, great that the engine is free!
Great find guys, and the crisp packet might raise a few quid on fleabay!
What another amazing find. Very jealous, would love one of these little A30's. She looks very solid for being laid up for so long. Tweed grey is lovely on these too. Can't wait to see you get this one going!
Another fantastic video,you two are so " normal and natural" easy to relate to, so nice to see Claire getting so involved and knowledgable, do not apologise about so many A30's, you could fill your unit with these cute little cars and still get the views, looking forward to the clean and start up video,best wishes to you both.
Thank you. That’s a really lovely comment to read. We’d have a whole barn full of Austins, happily. We’d still leave a little space for a couple of other cars, though 😀
Petula Clark’s Turner A30 Sports was initially Surrey registered 1 BPC and PET took delivery June 13th 1956 if that helps with a timeline for this car. Great find!
Excellent. I’m looking forward to seeing how this one cleans up too. You guys will soon be A30 experts. Hope you had a great Christmas and am sure the channel will go from strength to strength next year. 👍🏼
Brilliant video Elton and Claire Great A30
What a fabulous find I love it. can't wait to see the clean up and I love the finds inside the car. - Simone
Got an A30 in a barn for 40+ years… who you gonna call? Ghostbusters? No, UK barn finds silly! Brilliant! Where do you find them?
It’s great to see the barn finds and look forward to see them running again
Lovely. Just found you. Love the content. Will keep watching. Have the catch up with you little green one 😊👍🏻
PPW
Amazing it's kept so well after all those years in there.x
They do seem very resilient, these little A30s.
That was FANTASTIC! Please don't get rid of the memorabilia!
We definitely won’t get rid of it. We’ll get a few plastic storage boxes in the new year and keep everything that comes with each of these cars, as it all forms part of the history.
Love the videos, really Interested and entertaining, keep up the good work. 👍
Guys, what can I say?! My envy just grows, these are great little cars!! Looking forward to more videos.
This is going to be another great project, this is going to be interesting. Thank you
That reg plate is so authentic, don't change it.
i am a 87year young man and i remember driving one of those cars . as i seem to rember they were three farward gears , and they were a grand old car, very reliable. i look forward to see her running again, sorry about the spelling i skipped a lot of scool , and i am a bit of a numpty with my computer , PLEASE KEEP FINDIG THESE OLD CARS chears and have a nice christmas and give that doggy a nice bone .8888
Thank you so much for commenting. We definitely want to keep saving cars. It’s what we enjoy and sharing it on UA-cam seems to bring a lot of joy to people like yourself, which makes us even happier.
You folks are being the King and Queen of the Austin A30. Interesting front bumper. Merry Christmas 🎄. Looking forward to the next one 👍
Thank you 🙏 Hope you have a very Merry Christmas.
Claire you are brave. Loving these car's and really starting to want one. Thanks for the vlog and have a great Christmas.
Love these little Austin a 30s. My father had one.😊
Another great little car. Thanks Claire and Elton. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy and safe New Year. Marc from Australia 🇦🇺
Another great barn find! Looking forward to the clean up and first start. I think you need to find 4 more A30's so Claire has one for each day of the week!😄
Well done on that find. These baby Austins were very much the small car of choice in the fifties. Loved them then and you two are the guys to get them back onto the road. Happy Christmas.
Thank you. We’re learning so much about their history and, honestly, had no idea how prolific they were and how instrumental the A30 was in mobilising families who couldn’t previously afford a car. Proper little legends!
Great vid….again! Love the BTO remark 👍👍🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦
I'm in love with this car!
Great video......this little car is in good hands now. Merry Christmas to you both :)
Well done both.
Once you have one, it’s never enough. Looking very original. Rad and gear knob is correct, they did three versions over the years. Mushroom, round and the later mini type.
Should have a red door card like the others, been changed at some point. Look forward to the start up!
I honestly can’t wait to clean up that interior, I have a feeling it will look stunning! - Claire
Thank you. It’s amazing how many tweaks there were in so few years…and how you Austin fans know them all. It really does make owning them interesting.
And there I was, thinking, you know what Elton and Claire need....more A30s. They're running a bit low on A30s. And then this video comes on.
Love it.
😂😂 brilliant
Well done Elton & Clare on the new edition to the family. I love watching your video dairy of your finds. I thought this was the digging PPW out video @ first.
As i only just discovered you guys one PPW arrived.
Can't wait to see this one all Cleaned up 😊.
Another excellant video from two lovely people, very well produced.👍👍.
Pour some hot water over that thermostat housing corrosion and watch it disappear.
Have a great Christmas🙂
The A30 is a total beauty! I'd love to see one fully restored to its former glory. Merry Christmas to both of you!
Thank you, and a very Merry Christmas to you, too.
Absolutely awesome as always, what collection you have, all the best and merry Christmas 👍💪
Thank you. We do seem to have gathered a few cars these past few years. We'll be thinning out the collection next year, I reckon. Hope you have a great Christmas and thanks again for your support.
@@UKBarnFinds , keep as many as you can, I know it’s not always practical or easy and is petrol heads always have the same trouble, space! But I know that it’s hard to choice what will stay and what will go and as soon as they go you want them back. All best for the New Year and keep up the good work 👍💪
You’ve nailed it there. The regret starts happening before they even leave you!
@@UKBarnFinds exactly and as soon as they’re gone you want them straight back
🎅merry Xmas Claire & Elton
Great channel 😊😊
I own an Austin a30 myself and sits in the family garage business in stoke on the ramp
Mine has working trafficators ,engine upgraded with 948 engine and discs brakes at the front .
Great first video guys
The switches on the right of the dash are obviously the indicators and have been retro fitted at a later time 😊
I reckon the grey door card issue is possibly a replacement door or simply a scrap yard find for a replacement and not original because the others match the seats😊
😊😊
Yes definitely got mouse nests in there so have a fire extinguisher ready if the wiring has been chewed through only the fuse protection for the Austin’s are not adequate and the fuses are too big and even the lighting isn’t protected correctly either at all or straight the battery via the regulator A1 connection as the one I’ve got is and I’ve changed mine for a new fuse box and an addition to split the circuits up 😊being a qualified electrician i see these things
The wiring loom on mine was changed by the previous owner but he failed to change all the connectors which had perished all the wiring from the bullet connectors ( original ) black through connectors had also perished 😮
We turned the lights on for a while and the connectors were warm and melting 😊😊
Please be aware of this going forward and always use a safety battery isolator on the earth connection and screw it off when not in use 😊
I know you don’t need a heater duct but you can get them no problem I bought one for mine 😊😊
Always have a CO2 or Dry powder extinguisher 🧯 always close to just in case
Anyway have a fabulous Christmas and look forward to seeing the little peanuts progress
Oh your green one has an off side rear flat lol 😂
Great stuff
Phil Green
Hey Phil, thank you so much for your comment. Just looked you up on UA-cam and have subbed to your channel 👍 We love our bikes too albeit the small engined variety 😂 - Claire
@@UKBarnFinds
No problem
My little Austin’s on there if you get time to look and me using the starter handle last year at the garage
I’ve had a few cars to do up ie 4 MG midgets, triumph Herald plus now bikes but still have my Austin A30 tho only had it for 3 years so I’m still learning on these but I always check the wiring first myself once it’s up and running
Thanks for the sub 😊🎅🎅
I look forward to more entertaining episodes in the new year - have a happy Christmas
Thank you. Hope you have a great Christmas.
My first car was an A40. Great little cars. I think that back about 1962 or 1963.
Great video guys, Merry Christmas to you, and yes Clare is definitely glamorous ❤️
It’s fair to say that she’s the only one who puts the effort in on the glamour front. And she does a good job. A pair of steel-toe capped boots and some saggy-bummed jeans are about my level 😂 Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you too 😍😍🇦🇺
I'm looking forward to this cars new journey.
Great video guys. Loved the video. Merry Christmas. 🎄🎄🧑🎄
Hi and my grandad worked on the we cars on the Austin production line. My dad tells me that his dad told him that it was not unknown for a car to appear on the line with a 2 door aperture on one side and 4 on the other !!
The turquoise blue 2 door A30 I owned in the late 1980’s (SXO 627) was first registered in June 1956, it’s still taxed until June 2024 according to DVLA. That car also had the huge heater which was quite effective with the fan on. Mine also had the metal sunvisor fitted, in body colour, no other options were fitted to it. Great to see your collection of these little Austin’s gradually growing. Your latest A30 is Tweed Grey and Red trim would likely have been standard. Happy Christmas to you and Claire. 🎄🎅🏻👍
Hope you find it
Watching from Safety Beach vic au.
A great video, thanks. A merry Christmas to you both😀😀
Another great video keep em coming !
Old '50s A30 Austins, wonderful! About the only way it could possibly be better is if you had a couple of A50 Cambridges. Merry Christmas!
Meetens were at Coombe/West Wimbledon off the A3 at the Coombe Lane flyover. Had about 5 of the 1930s shop units. Specialised in single cylinder and similar engines for boats/motorbikes, you could get whole engines or spare rings / plugs / etc. They probably did rebuilds. Not certain when they closed, deffo there till the mid 1980s
Great little car !
What a nice car again! It amazes me that the bodywork is in a reasonable good condition. In The Netherlands where I live near the sea, the bodywork would have had holes and rust all over. And would need a lot of welding and restoration before it would pass an MOT. Can't wait to see the car being washed and cleaned. And you have such a relaxed way of filming all, it's nice to watch. Wish you two a Merry Christmas!! Take care!!
Yes we would definitely rather look at Claire than you Elton! ❤
Great content as always and the production and editing is always more than professional making the longer videos easy to follow and watch 🔥
I’m trying my hardest to be offended here, but I’d rather look at Claire, too 😂 Thank you for the comment about the editing. That’s Claire’s passion/nemesis (depending on how it’s going!) and I still find it hard to believe how she does such a fantastic job, given the chaotic household we live in. ~ Elton
@@UKBarnFinds absolutely Elton always good to be proud to punch above your weight. Love the channel
Just came across your channel. Great stuff. As a Yank I am not familiar with the cars you are working on. However I did own a Morris Minor for a short time and I auto crossed a Sprite Mk 2. Also crewed a MGBT that went to the 24 hours of Daytona in ‘73 or ‘74. Dropped a valve at 11 hours in. You must be the English version of Vice Grip Garage. Keep it up!
Loving this. I need one of these!
I really love watching your videos. Merry Christmas 🎄 to you both 🎉
Thank you so much! Merry Christmas to you, too!
Oh wow another one. Would love to see a restoration of these cars.
Absolutely wonderful - another cheering video and very enjoyable as Christmas arrives. I notice that the seats in your latest A30 are very similar in construction to those of the A35 (launched in the summer of 1956), and this type was used in the very last of the A30s, indicating that yours must be a 'late' example. Good luck with the car, again it will be fun, and happy Christmas. Thanks for your great videos; Happy Christmas and New Year.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder I suppose. I did see an RM Riley for sale the other day and was tempted, but an A30?
That's a great car if you don't throw a lot of quid at it. Earlier this year, I saw an Austin (in beautiful black and freshly restored) sell at auction, in the UK, for 4,000 Pounds! These are great little cars that go a long way on a little petrol. My philosophy on barn finds is " how solid is the body?" Mechanicals are easy and inexpensive if you do the work yourself but body work costs quite a bit to sort out, especially if the "tinworm" has been chomping away. I love these videos about barn finds and your channel popped up on my computer screen this morning. I will follow you and the little Austin going forward. From Connecticut in the States, Merry Christmas. Cheers!
Another great barn find. All the best and Merry Christmas to both of you.
Thank you, and a Merry Christmas to you, too.
What a lovely find
Great Video. I like your Vlogs they are down to Earth and very genuine. Merry Xmas to you both
Thank you so much. We are what we are, so it’s good that the videos come across that way. We’d be terrible actors, anyway 😂 A Merry Christmas to you, too.
I know it's getting a bit expensive nowadays, but given the VIN you should be able to obtain a Heritage Certificat from the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust as they keep records of all Austin 1945-69 Postwar and BMC models. This would tell you the original colour, of car, trim, etc.
What a brilliant save! 😁
Love these videos’s!
Good luck and all the best with this one❤️
Also my grandfather said it was not unknown for a car to appear with a van roof vent !! Grandad died 40 years ago so I can't ask him myself . He eventually worked in the West works on the mini line from 1959 to his retirement in the 70_s. Simon
Well done guys Tweed grey was my colour too. Merry Christmas Looking forward to following the restoration
Thank you. It was handy that we found that tin, as the car was pretty ‘brown’ up until that point. Merry Christmas!
What a find and the engine turns. The gearknob looks like a Morris Minor one .
I believe that is not the original number. I would expect a car of that age to have letters before numbers. Its good that the engine is not seized. However, it looked like there is no compression. Maybe sticky valves. If so, I know a man who can fix that! The wheel trims are aftermarket accessories.
And just for the record Claire, I for one are very pleased to watch your presentation. And I am confident there are many others of the same opinion!
My Dad's 1961 Singer Gazelle had a valve radio. This one being solid state will be younger than that. Also the air horns will maybe have been in the 60s. I believe the long gear lever means it is not a late A30. My father's A30 Countryman had the short lever, like those on the A35.
Another great find! Love it.
The number/letter style actually started to come in around 1953
My father had a 1956 Morris Isis with registration number 2AJO so I think the number on the A30 is correct.
fantastic video i watched the previous car great explanaintion of the car i actually remembered my father passing his car test and him bying one of these as the family car just beautifull has reminded me of my late father him washing and polishing the austin thank you for that xmas present on xmas day
yes Elton we want the wash and will she start video!!
Another great video and what a great barn find . . Youl have a fleet before to long .
. . A30 retro taxis for 2 . . . Take the front seat out for easy entry and exit . . Get the inside look fab and leave the outside as part of your brand . .
Anyway enough of my waffle . . . Have an awesome christmas . . . Will be a hot day but rain by the looks for us here in Hamilton in New Zealand . .
Looking forward to more from you both next year . Take care . . 💐🍻🙏⛄️🇳🇿
You can never have too many dusty old cars. Cool. Happy Christmas everyone.
Merry Christmas to you, too...and you're totally right about the dusty old cars!
That's a lovely little find ! I'm sure you'll get it started as it is but if that head gasket is the correct one for the car it might give a clue as to why it was parked. Have fun with it . Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
I love your latest barn find. Also I love the number plate because that is my initials Bernard Peter Clarke. I would love it.
Wish my wife would join me in getting our classic ‘67 dart sorted out.
the wheel embellishers were sometimes aftermarket sometimes an upgrade option from the dealer - invoice would show , was there a A30 "delux" version ? The missing filler cap use those now not legal plastic "fan" ones while on site. Likewise the ashtray was a delux option on the 1959/60 Morris Minors so must be a BMC thing
Fantastic, I’m in the market for one of these.
Hi Elton and Clair,
Well done with your latest Barn Find. I quite liked these little Austins, my first girl friend's brother had one of these in the same shade of grey. We used to go out as a foursome on many occasions in it. The tan seating colour is the correct trim colourfor this colour model. The green door card is a replacement and is more akin to your green PPW bit not the right size. I notice you have some other interesting cars in your workshop, presumably keepers. What part of Suffolk do you guys live in? I live in Brandon which is at theost North Westerly point before the Norfolk border. I've had some classics myself in past years. You should give a friend of mine's channel a look, Alex's Assets, she currently owns 4 classic cars and her daily driver is a Rover P4 named Jesse..
She has names for all of them.
She is very knowledgeable and does mist of the work on them herself. Together with her boyfriend , Remi, she has just recently bought a Ford Galaxy Fairlane. It's a shame she doesn't live closer to us, as she lives in Gloucestershire
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you both.
Take care,
Jon Barnes.
Thanks, Jon, we’ll check out that channel. We’re near Ipswich. We do have a few cars between us, most of which haven’t appeared on UA-cam. We’ve also got a few that have appeared here, but we haven’t filmed updates on for a while. That’s on the calendar for 2024.
See the front bumper is not the original type compared to the rear, can't wait to hear it running, great video.
Do you all still listen to long wave and medium wave radios. We listen to AM and FM Radios here in the U.S.