48 Austin PU - Gasser ??

[Saxxon]

I realize this is a Rat Rod build forum and this will not be a Rat Rod but a friend of mine thought you guys would be interested in this build. If it isn't appropriate - let me know... no hard feelings.

I've always wanted one of these little units ever since I saw a feature on the C&O Automotive Austin that ran low 9's in the A/GS wars in the 60's

Usually these things are hen's teeth rare and expensive when they do turn up. I found this one on the Saskatchewan Kijiji site for $1000 and called immediately. Turns out the seller (Larry) is a 30 year friend of a previous owner of my Scout (Rich Bedford) and has been following my exploits with it. (Small world huh??). We settled on $850 and my brother and I took the 15 hr round trip to go get it. Bonus - it comes with a Title and TOD so I can license it with little hassle.

This thing was better in person and is almost run ready. It came with extra parts, all the glass except the windshield, interior parts, gauges etc... the motor looks rebuilt and turns easily. It is remarkably complete and almost no rust on the cab... and ... I'm going to tear it apart and make it a race car / hot rod.

The current plan is to cannibalize my brothers old bracket bomber 86 Ranger's 347 (Roller cam, 10.5-1, Edelbrock heads) AOD trans and an 8.8 diff with 4:56s and a spool. This combo pushed the Ranger to 11:40's with zero maintenance. Should be good for high 10's in the Austin. The OD trans should be good for the occasional cruise / road trip. The rear suspension will be ladder bar on leafs (maybe coils) and a drop axle out front. The chassis will get some help with cross bracing and a 6 point bar. I am considering a full cage. The box is in very rough shape with a lot of rust and even the aluminum sides are oxidizing. I'm planning to shorten and narrow it to reduce the bulk so I may just build one from scratch.

This will be a slow(ish) build. This winter will likely just be the tear down. Maybe some chassis work.

 

[Saxxon]

This is the feature on the C&O Automotive Austin I mentioned in the original post

 

[Dr Crankenstein]

Congratulations! I know Larry (the seller) and that other person very well. (Shame you couldn't make SIR's 50th.)

Looking forward to this project as it progresses and congratulations again!

.

 

[53 stickfigure]

Gotta be a gasser. Not everything looks good as a gasser, but you have a winner

 

[kenny c]

Nice score!

 

[Skip]

Sweet! [cl

 

[Old Iron]

Right on. I'll be following this build!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[bob w]

You got a smoking deal on the cute Austin, Saxxon. Good that you are using existing parts to speed up the build and control costs. I know of a couple 4 door Austins but I've never seen a pick up for sale.

 

[Snake Farm]

Yeah, it's okay if you like that sort of thing......[dr[dr[dr[dr

I'm tuned in !! [P[P[P

 

[zzrodder]

I just love those Austin pickups! [cl[cl
When I was a kid there was an old hoarder/hermit in the neighborhood called "Austin Charlie" and he had a bunch of those A40 pickups and my brother and I struck a deal with him to drag one home for $100.00 but my old man went ballistic and scuttled our plan

Gasser for sure!![P[P

 

[joedoh]

looks super awesome, but I think I would wear that thing like a t shirt. a tight t shirt. haha

 

[Saxxon]

I've done the mandatory - sit in it and make vroom vroom sounds - but I did it with the idea of visualizing the fit and placement of things like the pedals, roll bar, shifter, switches etc. I'm not tall but I'm wide which seems to be an acceptable physical trait for this little truck. Even pulling the firewall back 6" or 8" it seems like I will have JUST enough leg room. I really do NOT want to move the throttle pedal to the passenger side which seems like a common solution for these things.

The tear down will start this week... Like I said, it will be a slow build for this winter. I spent waaayyy too much money making major changes and chasing demons in the Scout this year. I need some time to reload the finances.

 

[Spooner]

Great score ! ! ! That will make a cool ride! I'll be watching the build also.

Spooner

 

[Marty Z]

I'm in[P[P

 

[Tripper]

Dude... that's gonna be nice! Keep us posted!!! [dr

BoB

 

[sc5080]

Told you it would be well received Dave. [cl

 

[Saxxon]

And so it begins:

Spent a couple of hours with my friend James tearing into the Austin. We would have had the drive-train out if we hadn't run into some weird size bolts holding the transmission and mount. They aren't 13mm and not 14mm. Not 1/2 in and not 7/16... very odd. Oh well nothing a grinder and cutting discs won't rectify.

 

[Dr Crankenstein]

British Standard Whitworth. I'd think "Prefect Storm" would have Whitworth fasteners as well, no?

.

 

[sc5080]

I have a set of those BSW sockets around here somewhere. Been a long time since I've used them.

 

[Skip]

British Standard Whitworth. I'd think "Prefect Storm" would have Whitworth fasteners as well, no?

.

I remember those. Couldn't think of it, though. Been too many decades.

The Dr. always knows. [cl

BTW, a metric crescent wrench will usually work on these.