1953 Austin A30-AS3

Description

• UNSOLD at auction June 2023 
• A new home is needed for “Black Beauty”
• “Thousands of pounds spent”
• Engine professionally rebuilt 
• Original keys & locks 
• Stainless Steel exhaust 
• Converted to run on unleaded

The Austin A30. Bursting with a charm and an honest simplicity. These Austins provide fun, out of all proportion to their size. Easy to live with, cheap to run and makes the perfect classic. 

After owning this very rare AS3 for nearly three decades, there is no-one who knows this Austin better than our vendor. Here’s what he told us. 

“After 28 years I’m selling my Austin A30/ AS3. Known affectionately as Black Beauty, she now needs another custodian. I understand this is the only AS3 on sale at the moment. It is solid throughout and drives superbly. 

The Austin is black with a brown interior and an earlier AS3/A30 model which was only available as a 4-door saloon. It was also the first vehicle to be fitted with the then new A-series engine of 803cc and 29bhp. It comes with a number of unique features. 

• round speedo 
• small rear window 
• smaller chromed grille than AS4 
• body mounted flying wing badge over grille 
• side fuel filler 

The Austin A30 Seven, as it was originally called, was first launched at the 1951 Motor Show at Earls Court in London. It did not enter full production until the following May.  

The new A-Series engine was a small 803cc in-line 4-cylinder overhead valve engine which was a major improvement and a real technical advance on the side valve units fitted to many of its contemporaries. The A30 was also 12 volt when many cars of the period were still 6 volt. 

All AS3s were four door saloons, this is why they have the chassis prefix of AS3 and no other variation. 

The variations came in with the later A30 models from 1953. However, the AS3s had many different panels and designs to the later cars, from the bulkhead to boot lids, bonnets, and even back wings. But the most obvious and instantly identifiable difference is, it’s the only model to have a completely different dash layout to all later models, with a round speedometer. 

AS3s all had; 

• petrol fillers on the right-hand rear wing 
• filling a tank that dropped into a hole in the boot floor 
• a smaller front grille with the Austin ‘winged wheel’ badge mounted above 
• inner door handles mounted centrally, below the opening drop window 
• different quarter light catches 
• no rear valance 
• the millboard door cards were held in by rubber strips 
• a single centrally mounted stop/ taillight 
• windscreen wipers
• under the bonnet the un-pressurised radiator had a large header tank, and the ignition coil was mounted on the bulkhead 
• all had wheels that matched the body colour 

Approximately halfway through production the boot hinges were changed to the externally mounted chrome plated type of all later saloons, though at this stage a simple prop was used to hold the boot lid in the raised position. A conventional boot handle with key lock was added at the same time. The car’s identifying chassis number can be found on a plate mounted on the bulkhead, forward of the battery and repeated on a plate attached to the driver’s sun-visor. 

This is a much-loved rare classic car. This is an AS3 that has been incredibly well looked after with thousands of pounds spent on it. It has been a reliable and regularly used classic car for the past 25years. Black Beauty has been used for pleasure and work, raising much needed funds for Mencap, The Air Ambulance and many more charities. She has been a complete delight bringing smiles to all that notice her. 

The car has been regularly serviced by Dave and his Team at The Stars Garage in Tamerton Foliot, Plymouth, Devon these specialists have a very good knowledge of the car. 

The overall condition of this 70-year-old Austin is excellent for her age, she could do with a replacement ‘front end’ wiring loom and little bodywork rust/dents require attention ‘all age-related issues’. The inner and outer sills have been professionally replaced. 

The engine has had a recent complete professional rebuild and is converted to run on unleaded petrol, she has also been rebored with new brakes . The boot area, floors and engine area are solid, the underside needs wire brushing and wax oiling again. 

She has a stainless-steel exhaust and apart from the small defects everything works exactly as it should Including the upgraded ‘flashing’  trafficators. She is a reliable and honest car and zips happily along at 59mph. 

Black Beauty stands out amongst the crowd and gets a lot of attention wherever she roams. She is regularly waved at and beeped at by admirers and always brings a smile to people’s faces when she’s out on the road. 

• It still retains all its original keys with all locks working properly  
• The interior is in original condition 
• The headlining is delicate after (70 years to be expected) and is a true pleasure to be inside! 
• The car also comes with a Spare Wheel 
• Some of the original tools and fitted carpet fitted 
• It really is a delight to be in and is a superb reliable daily driver 
• The car is simply ready to be enjoyed 
• I would be very happy to talk to anyone at any time about the vehicle 
• The original inside door cards are present and the Smiths heater (optional extra) works perfectly 
• The car comes with many rare AS3 and AS4 spares (see photos) 
• A 1950s original (never used) Woolworths picnic set 
• Workshop manuals 
• A comprehensive ring bound folder full of photos and A30 magazine cuttings 
• A30 service manuals and A30 workshop manual 
• Two hard bound books, Enjoying your Austin, and A30 & A35 Super Profile 
• The original number plate OOB 800 alone has value” * Please note that the plate is not-transferable*

Our view 

The Austin A30 represents a true practical classic. This very rare AS3 will tick every box.  

This is the kind of classic car that brings out affection in everybody. They’re very simple to look after, cost peanuts to run and are extremely usable and entertaining to own.

A new home must be found for Black Beauty due to our vendor’s circumstances, he has now lowered the already extremely sensible reserve so we’ll end where our vendor started; it’s time for the next custodian to own this bit of British motoring heritage.