Discussion
ChevronB19 said:
Personally, try and persuade her into an A40, they are *much* better cars, albeit not as cute.
No doubt objectively an A40 Farina is a more advanced car, however I feel trying to introduce objectivity to a classic car purchase serves to undermine the purpose of owning a classic car; I don't own my A35 because it drives well, because the owners club is active/supportive in sourcing any parts required or because they're cheap, I just loved the way they looked as a child so bought one. When I bought my A35 I hated the way A40 Farinas looked, now I merely dislike them but can still appreciate them for their various design flourishes and technological advancements over the A30/35. Objectively OP could just draw a line under the matter and buy a modern car that would be vastly superior in every way, but then unfortunately for him it sounds like that's not what his daughter wants 
That's an A30.
Essentially the same but there were a few updates over the years.
Very early A30s had concealed boot hinges and a side fuel filler. They moved to external hinges and rear fuel fill.
A30s had 802cc engines, shorter diffs, trafficators, and a rounded crescent shaped rear window.
A35s had indicators, 948 engines and larger squarer rear windows.
Then there were van variants of both. Two and four door versions of both. There was also a few hundred pick ups made which are rare and sought after, but look a bit "special" to me.
Essentially the same but there were a few updates over the years.
Very early A30s had concealed boot hinges and a side fuel filler. They moved to external hinges and rear fuel fill.
A30s had 802cc engines, shorter diffs, trafficators, and a rounded crescent shaped rear window.
A35s had indicators, 948 engines and larger squarer rear windows.
Then there were van variants of both. Two and four door versions of both. There was also a few hundred pick ups made which are rare and sought after, but look a bit "special" to me.
As a serial and current owner of A30/A35s, I'd say a very good choice indeed. If the young lady wants one she has very good taste.
I would only be looking at a 2dr A35. Don't bother with the A30s as they use a different gearbox which is in short, not upto modern driving due to the short gear ratios. 2dr A35's do turn up and I'd buy a solid one. Take someone with you who knows where to look for structual corrosion. It can lead you down a rabbit hole otherwise. As mentioned above, I've known Neil Evans for over 30 years and he is very qualified in these cars.
Decide on a standard car or one with upgrades like brakes, engines and electrics.
I would only be looking at a 2dr A35. Don't bother with the A30s as they use a different gearbox which is in short, not upto modern driving due to the short gear ratios. 2dr A35's do turn up and I'd buy a solid one. Take someone with you who knows where to look for structual corrosion. It can lead you down a rabbit hole otherwise. As mentioned above, I've known Neil Evans for over 30 years and he is very qualified in these cars.
Decide on a standard car or one with upgrades like brakes, engines and electrics.
ClaphamGT3 - how's your search going? Daughter still keen on an A30/35? 
Life has slightly got in the way and she has widened her interest to include Morris Minors and possibly Heralds.
Sadly, can't seem to generate any love for a Riley One-Point-Five.
Will probably start looking in earnest in a week or so when we've got some heavy work and social stuff out of the way
Sadly, can't seem to generate any love for a Riley One-Point-Five.
Will probably start looking in earnest in a week or so when we've got some heavy work and social stuff out of the way
ClaphamGT3 said:
Life has slightly got in the way and she has widened her interest to include Morris Minors and possibly Heralds.
Sadly, can't seem to generate any love for a Riley One-Point-Five.
Will probably start looking in earnest in a week or so when we've got some heavy work and social stuff out of the way
Sadly, can't seem to generate any love for a Riley One-Point-Five.
Will probably start looking in earnest in a week or so when we've got some heavy work and social stuff out of the way
(MM not a bad choice though)
ClaphamGT3 said:
Life has slightly got in the way and she has widened her interest to include Morris Minors and possibly Heralds.
Sadly, can't seem to generate any love for a Riley One-Point-Five.
Will probably start looking in earnest in a week or so when we've got some heavy work and social stuff out of the way
Whichever she settles on it would be an idea to get her a test drive before you spend the money; old cars do not drive like modern ones, although the latter two won't be as much of a culture shock with rack and pinion steering.Sadly, can't seem to generate any love for a Riley One-Point-Five.
Will probably start looking in earnest in a week or so when we've got some heavy work and social stuff out of the way
hidetheelephants said:
Whichever she settles on it would be an idea to get her a test drive before you spend the money; old cars do not drive like modern ones, although the latter two won't be as much of a culture shock with rack and pinion steering.
She is only 14 so doesn't have much of a benchmark
In the opposite direction have you asked her about an Austin 7? Loads available, plenty of club events and parts support and no danger of losing it in the car park.Ambleton said:
There's an incredibly tidy looking (spruce?) green 2door A30 just been put up for sale on the A35 club FB page for 4250.
Yes, spotted that. Presumably it isn't the hardest thing in the world to set these up with 1275cc spridget running gear (engine and gearbox, back axle, front suspension, brakes etc)?Presumably it wouldn't involve too much butchering of the car that it couldn't be returned to original if so inclined?
ClaphamGT3 said:
Ambleton said:
There's an incredibly tidy looking (spruce?) green 2door A30 just been put up for sale on the A35 club FB page for 4250.
Yes, spotted that. Presumably it isn't the hardest thing in the world to set these up with 1275cc spridget running gear (engine and gearbox, back axle, front suspension, brakes etc)?Presumably it wouldn't involve too much butchering of the car that it couldn't be returned to original if so inclined?
For rear brakes I'd be surprised if it hasn't been converted already but the standard axle housing can be fit with midget back plates and brakes to give hydraulic rear drums. You can't just drop in a midget axle as all the pick ups are in the wrong place.
1275 engine and gearbox drop straight in but a 1098 is a good upgrade and a lot cheaper. The 948engine fitted already has an SU instead of the pokey and lossy Zenith so it's already better than standard.
Edited by Ambleton on Tuesday 9th July 09:13
Ambleton said:
Ad states it already has front disc brakes, which will be midget. They're an easy fit.
For rear brakes I'd be surprised if it hasn't been converted already but the standard axle housing can be fit with midget back plates and brakes to give hydraulic rear drums.
1275 engine and gearbox drop straight in.
Thanks Ambleton - you obviously know your onions on this. Any other recommended upgrades?For rear brakes I'd be surprised if it hasn't been converted already but the standard axle housing can be fit with midget back plates and brakes to give hydraulic rear drums.
1275 engine and gearbox drop straight in.
ClaphamGT3 said:
Thanks Ambleton - you obviously know your onions on this. Any other recommended upgrades?
Looking at the photos of that car again, it's also got a brake booster fitted. Other mods - Depends really.
I'm building mine as a fastish road spec.
Drive line:
Freshly built 1293cc A series on twin SU (I might change it to a single HIF44 but undecided yet)
Freshly built midget ribbed gearbox (with Morris minor gearlever)
Rebuilt midget 3.9 diff (standard ones are 4.55)
Midget hardened half shafts. EN17 with a groove on the splines are the best factory ones, although racing ones are even stronger but they're expensive and made from EN24T
Rad re-cored with modern 3row core.
Brakes:
Midget rear hydraulic drum brakes
Midget front hydraulic discs
Centre hand brake conversion (midget cable with metro lever)
Rear Suspension:
Doing a homemade rear telescopic damper conversion
Home made A-Frame to locate the rear axle
Deleted the rear ARB
New standard springs with 40mm lowering blocks
Front suspension:
New midget pans - stronger than original ones
Lower, stiffer springs
Increased camber top trunnions
Sprite front ARB (although might make my own)
Unsure what to do with the front dampers yet. Might mod and fit telescopic or keep the lever arms with uprated valves.
Steering:
A40mkii steering box. These are larger and stronger and the pin rotates with the worm gear so doesn't wear. On the A30/35 it's a fixed peg so wears badly. These are also getting quite hard to find!
You can go as far as you like.
Most people find that the 1098, 3.9diff and midget brakes just make them a much more usable car. Some folk for brake boosters. There's a wealth of knowledge in the group and steering boxes can be overhauled with a new pin etc.
Then there's the "it must be 100% OE" brigade. Which is fine and I understand it, but it doesn't make a better car IMO.
ETA:
I have a thread here. It's basically an advertisement for why you should buy the most rust free example you can find/afford. All the mechanical stuff bolts on/off quickly and easily but bodyworks a b
h and gets very expensive very quickly. Skip through to 18th sept '23 for the scary stuff to begin.https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Edited by Ambleton on Tuesday 9th July 09:47
Just to confirm, midget, morris minor or A35 gearboxes DONT fit an A30 without modifying the floor to except the rear crossmember from the above.
As I mentioned above, if you find an A35 then you'll be able to upgrade engine and boxes easier. This is the reason why I commented on avoiding the A30. The gearbox isn't strong enough for a bigger engine.
As I mentioned above, if you find an A35 then you'll be able to upgrade engine and boxes easier. This is the reason why I commented on avoiding the A30. The gearbox isn't strong enough for a bigger engine.
austina35 said:
Just to confirm, midget, morris minor or A35 gearboxes DONT fit an A30 without modifying the floor to except the rear crossmember from the above.
As I mentioned above, if you find an A35 then you'll be able to upgrade engine and boxes easier. This is the reason why I commented on avoiding the A30. The gearbox isn't strong enough for a bigger engine.
Every day's a school day! I assumed the floor pans/tunnel between the A30/35 were shared! As I mentioned above, if you find an A35 then you'll be able to upgrade engine and boxes easier. This is the reason why I commented on avoiding the A30. The gearbox isn't strong enough for a bigger engine.
My bad!
Ambleton said:
Freshly built 1293cc A series on twin SU (I might change it to a single HIF44 but undecided yet)
It's marginalia - but c 25 years ago when I was playing with an MG metro 1275 transplant into a late 80s Mini - it was much easier to get really progressive torquey but instant throttle response right across the rev-range from one, good, just big-enough carb - than two. It's not just 'balance, right jetting' etc but also the fact that one good carb being drawn-on by the full engine capacity, smoothed by intake volume, rather than 'two, easily oversized, each being drawn from a pair of 90degree firing twin cyl engines' seemed - to me - to play much more nicely with the SU's 'CV' characteristic for wide range manners.
There's really not a between either route choice obvs; either will provide enough power for fun in an A35! And as a longitudinal install you'll have slightly more space to play with manifolds in/ easier access - but since all I was interested in was fun onroad, over the full range - I came down on the side of 'one sufficient' carb for driveability reasons.
Just a thought - yours is going to be a hoot, whichever route you follow. ATB
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