First Start in 52 Years! | Barn Find Austin A30 Classic Car Auction Buy

[@UKBarnFinds]

Wow! This video seems to have put a smile on a lot of faces. We are LOVING the comments. Thank you so much! For those of you new to the channel, or just this car, here are links to the previous 1954 Austin A30 episodes: 1. We Buy A Time Warp Austin A30 - kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3XWfI17fa6WiJI 2. First Wash in 52 Years - kzbin.info/www/bejne/lanVoIWEo5ijhqc 3. Amazing Austin A30 Progress Update! - kzbin.info/www/bejne/faLKomeIp9WKbK8 4. Will It Start : Part 1 - kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5TToHRud86ZhtE You guys are the reason we made this video. Claire & Elton

[@robertdunnett5022]

Thank you. Just watching the Lyn Auction love the capri 👌

[@johnbollen1322]

Just found this, I'm 63 yo, and you have brought back memories of my dear dad. He had 3 of these beauties and I spent hours in them as he worked on them, pressing pedals when i was about 8 or 9. Good luck with the next step!

[@UKBarnFinds]

That’s fantastic. These cars are all about memories and we’re so glad that we’ve been able to bring back so many of them for people like yourself. These A30s certainly made an impact.

[@MrSaw1971]

I to am 52 and iv never been so happy to see an old car start there are so many car projects on youtube none has made me smile keep up the fantastic job of making your fans happy have a very merry Christmas and avery happy and prosperous 2024 ican hardly for the next video it could be a weekly show on youtube then the tv xx

[@garrymelnyk8084]

Congratulations for getting the little Austin going. Enjoying all your videos.

[@toddschumacher2394]

I’m from USA please keep going with this amazing little car

[@bristolmod]

Brilliant! Old School and certainly worth watching. Loved it!!

[@jamesconnors4297]

Brightened up a rainy Saturday morning . many thanks . Lovely little car

[@paulmoore6345]

Well done for pressing on with it. Just carry on resurrecting it bit by bit

[@philipgray9155]

Had a black 1958 A30 in the 70s. Loved that little car despite the holes and the handbrake coming off in my hand one day… and the carb freezing up, etc. Drove it all over the UK. Wish I could find one over here in Canada. We’ll done getting it running - hearing that sound was so nostalgic.

[@DennisJennings-k9v]

Brilliant to see I’m 65 Nxt February and I had my first car journey in one of these being picked up from the maternity hospital aged 3 days Well done

[@kimhenson4939]

Well done you two, what a cheering video to hear your A30 start and run after all the trials and tribulations. If it was my Austin I would try to get the clutch working and the car driving before stripping anything down transmission or engine-wise, but advise a full brake check/overhaul at the outset. Good luck and thanks for bringing some winter sunshine to us viewers!

[@UKBarnFinds]

Thank you, Kim. You know, better than many, how lovely these little cars are. We’re just learning that 😀

[@peterduxbury927]

It was brilliant to see the A30 live again! My first car was an A35, way back in 1968. I was so glad to see this old girl start, as the stuck valves freed-off. I am ex-UK, but have lived in Australia for the last 36 years, and your video takes me back in time. You have a great partner who shares your passion, and not many are quite like that! Best wishes, and good luck with some restoration work on the A30, because it deserves to live a second life.

[@spotsterjon74cu]

I’m chuffed to bits for you, she’s a lovely old girl, and great to see her coming back to life👍🏻

[@penguin1165]

This is wonderful ! And these cars need preserving. It looks amazing, I was born in 58 so just a bit younger. This is our history and I just think you are both heroes for breathing life back into this wonderful car .❤

[@UKBarnFinds]

What a lovely comment. Thank you 🙏

[@daggggy]

Have a Happy Christmas you two from Victoria British Columbia Job well done

[@ianh8396]

This little gem of a car brings back some memories, my grandad owned on, in black, when I was a little nipper.

[@johnchetwynd3618]

I’ve been following this with nostalgic interest. In 1970, at the age of 17, I bought my first car for £10. It was an Austin A30 😊. I think mine must have been a base model, as I don’t recollect there being a heater 😂 (I might be wrong). I then ‘upgraded’ to a 1953 Series 2 Morris Oxford for £45, then at the age of 20 a brand spanking new Mk 1 Ford Escort. Happy days. Last summer I saw an A30 at a car meet and was amazed at how small it was. The owner let me have a sit in it. I was instantly transported back. Well done on getting it going again, job well done

[@philiptheunismuller6165]

Such a nice little car 😅,wish it was mine, looks like a real noddy car😊, congrats on starting this lovely little thing 😅😅

[@affordablevs]

Brilliant seeing her running! Keep plugging on, you will get there!

[@The_Cotswold_Engineer]

Absolutely brilliant 👏 she lives!!! Love the turkey hat too!

[@geoffmower8729]

Well done guys you've woken her up from her coma. Marry Christmas and a happy new year from Adelaide South Australia.👍🏻👍🏻

[@davefrench3608]

Nothing can stop an A series. Well done for getting those valves free.

[@martincunnington2154]

Brilliant to see her running now for the first drive well done guys

[@llmikeyj1]

Much love for this little A30. Clearly wants to live again!

[@alanpotter3146]

Well done.52 years,amazing.

[@UKBarnFinds]

Thank you Alan 🙏

[@ranamitra9261]

It seems to be very nostalgic to recollect & review this wonderful cute & dear little old pal - the Austin A30 since we had one of those way back in the mid 60's.

[@wolfganghobelsberger6720]

All the effort paid off. What a delight to see her engine running. Thanks for this episode.

[@UKBarnFinds]

Thank you for watching it 😊

[@dualrobin]

You guys have done well, keep going, next step cooling, then gears then rolling

[@daveunsworth9931]

Brilliant well done! A30 was my first car ,wish I still had it.

[@charlesrobert9527]

I miss having a proper car you can work on. Good on you for getting to grips with this car and being happy to share your progress. Excellent.

[@rossmclaren71]

Love it ! Well done. Get it on the road for sure

[@stevielegrand]

My best friend's father had an Austin A30 in black, a lovely little runner and a real head tuner in its day. Love 'em!

[@NicholasRichmond-dn8qh]

Well done getting your Austin A35 to run after 52 years happy days😊

[@AnthonyLong-c8c]

Well done guys Austin A30 was my very first car when I was seventeen (I’m 74 now) and had loads of fun with her -1953 vintage From memory a mechanical clutch and the hydraulic brake reservoir was in the passenger footwell I use to start her mainly with the starting handle as I couldn’t afford to buy a new battery Definitely take the head off and sort out those valves. Good old wire brush in my day and then grinding paste and loads of hand blisters. Flush out the waterways, new pump and hoses. My worse job was replacing the king pins. I finally gave up as I couldn’t get the old ones out. A friendly garage sorted this for me and didn’t charge, recognizing my enthusiasm Have a great Christmas. Looking forward to the next episode

[@jasonwoods4811]

Yay the little A30 lives, that has made so happy, well done to the pair of you!! :D

[@retirednavychief6983]

Congratulations on the progress! I was going to suggest a few things for your future work. First, put a good piece of hardwood between any tool you need to put against the cylinder-head/valve-cover mating surfface. That'll keep it from getting scratched. Second, I have had good success freeing engines and valves up using a 1:1 mixture of acetone and ATF heated up to about 40-45 degrees C. It was great to see you two geniunely stoked when it fired up! Rick from Magma, Arizona, U.S.A.

[@iancrawford2822]

It's great to see the car running again, your patience has paid off! Keep up the good work..

[@UKBarnFinds]

We’ll do our best. Thank you.

[@carolynsampson242]

Well done guys! I know nothing about engines and I am learning so much from you both. So thank you and thanks to your many advisors! I really enjoy watching you guys chat away about your love of old cars, what a wonderful thing to share with each other! Keep up the great work! ❤

[@shaunhewitt]

I watched my dad do this once when he had an engine with stuck springs and he boiled atf fluid in a old saucepan and poured it over it to free it 😊

[@rockatansky1305]

I bet if little "peanut" could speak it would say a big thanks for percevering with me, well done and thanks for an entertaining watch, here's looking forward to more. Good luck

[@lucythemoggy1970]

your perseverance has made me a subscriber! well done!

[@chrisbarker2573]

My first car was an A30 and, as a poor apprentice, I couldn't afford to have it maintained by a garage. So I had to read up and teach myself how to work on the engine. So I really know how you felt when it burst into life. My A30 was the recipient of a new timing chain and water pump as well as having the head skimmed and new valves and guides fitted. All done by myself, with the help of a Haynes manual. If I could do it at 19 (some 57 years ago) you are more than capable of it. The water pumps were a common leakage problem. Don't forget, the valve seats might not like E10 petrol, the engine was designed for leaded petrol. But if you do take the head off to work on it you could get new valves and also modify the seats so that she can run on unleaded. Ps; When I had my A30 petrol was 3 shillings and sixpence for a gallon: 17.5p !!!! Best of luck with the old girl, I will enjoy watching your progress.

[@UKBarnFinds]

For any younger viewers reading the comment above, that's less than 4-pence a litre (or liter, in some countries)! It sounds like a lot of people cut their teeth on these little Austins. We're enjoying learning them from scratch and it really helps to have comments like this, as genuine personal experience trumps any Google search. Thank you. If the head ever comes off, we'll look at the option of converting it to unleaded.

[@highpath4776]

@@UKBarnFinds Adding millers VSP and noting modern stuff they call petrol goes off is your way forward if not planning on doing high mileage. Is it a948cc . 848cc or 1098cc (later than car) engine ? 948s run the most sweet

[@robleary3353]

Love seeing old bits of kit being resurrected and given another go!. Nice one!. Nuff said 🙂 Maddog Melbourne

[@marcduthie4327]

Great work. As an engine Reconditioner those bores look ok. Great little car. Great effort learning all that. Marc from Australia 🇦🇺

[@simonhayes3769]

Lovely to see the old girl run loved watching this well done both of you :-)

[@MrSteve2714740]

If this is you recent venture you need to be very proud of yourselves, no bull just an honest lovely couple doing what they do which I will say works brilliantly. Love the channel guys and can’t wait for the next one. Regards Steve.

[@Lot76CARS]

Congratulations, a brilliant effort of perseverance by both of you. What a great little car to bring back to life! It’s never “just a car”😅 stick with it guys please!

[@PaulinesPastimes]

I completely agree. 👍

[@leeedwards9043]

what beautiful little car. all cars will run if you give them love and care don't matter how long they sit for mate. well done you two for saving another bit of history 👍👍👍😎

[@billharris6886]

Congratulations Elton and Claire, bringing the Austin's engine back to life, especially Elton with his dogged persistance freeing up valve train! If you were not planning any long trips in the car, a full restore of the engine is not necessary. Just go through any address the typical problems that occur when a car is not used for many years. Get the cooling system in order. I suggest using a fuel filter that has a transparent case so you can watch for muck from the petrol tank. Due to the car's age, it's likely the fuel pump will fail soon and the carburator will need a rebuilding at some point, along with various seals that will start leaking. Then tackle the clutch, the brakes, and the electrics.

[@terryprice7459]

Well done to you both , so satisfying. 😊😊

[@UKBarnFinds]

Thank you. It was a great end to that chapter. 😊

[@Samual911able]

Wow!!! That is just awesome. I love videos like this. I'm absolutely amazed. Well done on bringing this car back to life on its original motor after 52 years. I am 59 years old and was in my first year of primary school in Norfolk, England in 1971. You are just an amazing mechanic I look more to seeing more of your videos next year. Merry Christmas from Sean in West Australia.

[@UKBarnFinds]

Thank you, Sean, much appreciated. The mechanical side of these cars is pretty basic, like my own skills, so it really was just a case of stubbornness that won in the end. We're very grateful for all the comments that pointed us in the right direction and supported us along the way. This little car has captured many hearts! Have a great Christmas and we hope to show you some more of our antics in the coming months.

[@highpath4776]

think its a gold seal engine so an exchange unit from BL at some time. poss early 70s

[@robinstinson7899]

Thanks guys made my day.i also shed a tear..took me back to my first car a A35...I was 17 and ny dad was showing me how those little A series engine work...like grinding in the valves etc....as soon as you started the engine the unique sound of that sowing machine little engine brought back a flood of memories I'd forgotten from 53 years ago with dad..so very very happy.. made me so glad I watched you..well done guys I shall watch that episode again and again

[@johnsomers8269]

Congratulations! Looking forward to seeing it totally restored!

[@seayavietnam]

Oh my word! Watching you guys freezing your thingies off in a cold garage in England brings back so so many memories of my days doing exactly the same! Not on such old stuff tho... Well done, keep it up. 🎉

[@ryanrodgers1826]

hi and well done a30 1st car for me to drive at 10 years old thanks for time you to cheers keep going do not give in your time pays off

[@KendalSmithy]

What is it about resurrecting a stuck engine that fires up the emotions? I was screaming with you when you got that going, with tears running down my face. You're a couple of gems and I love you both.

[@SalisburyKarateClub]

Great to see it finally run. A good service should make it run better.

[@paultucker1272]

Brilliant, well done you two!

[@UKBarnFinds]

Thank you Paul 😀

[@alk5491]

Excellent both of you. Keep going

[@UKBarnFinds]

Will do 👍 thank you so much for watching

[@RAK402]

Congratulations! I really enjoyed seeing it start and run! These are really cool little cars!

[@UKBarnFinds]

Thank you. You’re absolutely right; such cool little cars that just seem to want to keep going!

[@johnlydon533]

Great video. Well done. Perseverance !!! Enjoyed watching. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@Jan-pw4po]

Wonderful that you got it running. The best penetrating oil is a mixture of 50/50 ATF and Acetone

[@russellmarriott9396]

Brilliant - a victory for sheer pig headed determination - well done.

[@UKBarnFinds]

😂😂 indeed! Thank you so much for watching

[@chrislewis4830]

well done Elton and Clare. She does need a rebuild /engine /gear box/chassis she deserves it bless her. Shes showed and proved to you she wants to live. So all you can do is respect her wishes its only fair

[@angelsone-five7912]

Very well done, I knew you`d get there.

[@GtecAerials]

The A30 is my favourite car from when I was a lad, hearing PPW fire up and roar was just brilliant! Elton you have taken on something I have wanted to do myself (but never had the bottle!) so well done! Claire, you should be a radio presenter, you have a cracking voice!! Keep up the good work both of you 🥰

[@lucythemoggy1970]

it even made me emotional when it started! so proud of you both! yes take the head off, she needs to have the love!

[@zonie1953]

Well done ! Good to see the little guy run again . Merry Christmas from Arizona ! Scott 🌵

[@davidsowerby2954]

Well done the two of you. Looking forward to the next stage of this.

[@UKBarnFinds]

Thank you. We’ll chip away at some of the other jobs now, I’m sure.

[@davidclare955]

Enjoyed watching you getting it going

[@UKBarnFinds]

Thank you. It was lovely to be able to share the moment. Made it all the more special.

[@SteveSmith-qf3sk]

Brilliant, 47 years since I had my A35 👏👏👏

[@wamgoc]

Well done you guys!!!!👏👏👏👏

[@stephenwest9757]

Very well done. I was one of those who commented about sticking valves and rings but had missed t he last few seconds of your previous video. The big clue was that only a couple of valves moving. Great persistence in freeing them. But remember the no compression sound is a fast constant whiring instread of pulsing. You didnt need a compression tester to tell you there was effectively none. I'm looking forward to seeing her drive now.

[@anj4de]

Great video! Thnaks a lot. I would now first tackle the cooling and breaks and get it to drive. After a while you can still check on the engine and concider an overhaul but for get her on the road first.

[@cowantom]

Fantastic guys! Just found your channel recently and have enjoyed your 'journey' with this wee car. You are both naturals at this

[@UKBarnFinds]

Thank you, great to have you on board 👍

[@peterlawrie8766]

Well done, a real achievement. Lovely to see the A30 running again.

[@chriscansdale6389]

Hi guys, greetings from Melbourne, Australia....a couple of tips for you for future reference. A mix of acetone and atf has been shown to be a far superior penetrant than products such as wd40 or atf or diesel alone. Mix it 50/50 by volume. It separates so you have to shake it up before use. Second thing, you mentioned about not knowing what to look for on the bore scope... basically any rust (in this cars scenario), deep scatches/scoring which would usually be vertical lines or pitting in the cylinder walls. Also any obvious cracks in the tops of pistons or holes. Both of which would be terminal. The mess on top of the piston you showed is just carbon and not a huge issue unless there was heaps of it. Ideally these checks should be done before attempting to unseize an engine as it tells you what you're facing. Soaking the bores was the right thing to do either way. Well done on saving a survivor. The A series are tough little engines.. As a general rule when dealing with a car like this I would tackle in this order: attempt to turn engine over by hand a full rotation to ensure it turns freely. Deal with seizing like you did. Check for compression and investigate if none. Lube the bores if the engine wasn't originally seized. Tackle the fuel system and ignition like you did. Spin the engine on the starter (no plugs) to get check/get oil pressure. Put the plugs in, add fuel and ignition and give her a crack! That little A30 has a nice quiet sounding engine so hopefully the oil burning will settle down and we'll see you on your nest adventure with her..

[@phillipclaridge3112]

Persistence pays! Well done Elton and Clare - really pleased to see that little old car run again. Next job - make it move. Happy Christmas to you and family

[@TheHorsebox2]

Don't mind admitting I shed a tear when the little thing fired up. Well done, she's alive again. Please just go all the way, get it back on the road where it belongs. Clean and preserve, but don't lose the patina. I've come across cars like this before. They just seem to keep writing new chapters, and you are the guys to help her do it. Well done, you two, great entertainment.

[@UKBarnFinds]

It was definitely emotional! Yes we plan to tackle gears and brakes next. A member of the club has very kindly given us info on how to get her re- registered with the DVLA so lots to do in the New Year! Thank you so much for watching

[@TheHorsebox2]

@@UKBarnFinds Brilliant. Looking forward to it.👍

[@porsche356a]

Watching from Sydney, Australia. Well done getting the old girl started, I really thought that valve was not going to give up, but admire your persistence. Its funny how an old car starting can bring so much joy to us and to you. I am pulling a Citroen AX out of a surburban Sydney garden tomorrow morning and it hasn't run for 15 years! Nothing on your 52 years I know.

[@UKBarnFinds]

Best of luck with your Citroen, that sounds like a great project 👍 Shame we are the over the other side of the world!

[@brucejoslen2021]

Great job you guys. [Another New Zealander here.] Worked on those a lot back in the day. They like full choke to start, [no pumping yet] then when they fire, 1/2 choke for a while with a little throttle feathering. Nice little car, go really well. Good to see you got two now. Good luck with the clutch, it's probably stuck. Just crank it in gear with your foot on the clutch, It will free up fine.

[@UKBarnFinds]

Thank you. So nice to have another viewer in New Zealand. Getting the black one has taught us a fair bit about PPW, especially the love of choke 😂 The clutch is next on the list and, hopefully, it will free up without too much bother. One of the 'joys' of KZbin is that I have to sit here, without touching the car, until Claire can come and film it all happening, It's driving me nuts!

[@QuickSplashVideo-rm2kh]

Well done. The little A30 sounds sweet. My dad had an A35 when I was a boy.

[@markallchorn2438]

Great to see PPW running after all that time !! Well done you nice folks. You've got the A30 bug !!! Looking forward to the next installment. 😁

[@paulg9483]

Well done guys , I didn’t doubt the old girl wouldn’t run , good old British motor. So pleased for you both. Keep up the good work 👍👍

[@Roger.Coleman1949]

Very well done Claire & Elton , PPW comes alive after 52 years rest !.As contemporary advertisements said ' You Buy A Car But You Invest In An Austin ' !.I think her head off and valves ground in would benefit in the long run.A fitting tribute to our good old British Motoring heritage .Feel both your emotions - you're true enthusiasts !

[@brettsfishingdiaries]

Woohoo!!... yea baby, well done guys, she sounds amazing

[@ianspicer3885]

Well done mate I've been following your posts lately and it's great to see the ol girl running 😂

[@robertwells1650]

Fantastic! Congratulations on getting the little beauty running again! So worth while to be patient and taking your time. Looking forward to seeing more videos on this car. Cheers from the west coast of Canada

[@philpoole5670]

Brilliant …. Great little cars they are amazing vehicles

[@robertchauval]

Another Kiwi here LOL. I just found your YT ch this afternoon and watched the full A30 journey thru. Got a new subscriber.... Wow what a lil charmer youve got (well 2 actually).. Claire took to it like a duck to water. Massive smile on your face haha. They are just so driveable.... Now you know why the A30 35s have such a loyal following.. you're hook line and sinker into it now. Thanks so much for the nostalgia trip.. Im 61 and my 1st car was an A35 in 1979.. they just go and go and go. I managed to get almost 50mpg out of it as well on a road trip.. I had 8 school mates and a dog in mine and broke a stub axle haha.. so much fun. You def need to get the head off at some stage of course and have a good look at those valve stems and guides. They do really respond to an occassional honest day trip to cook off any carbon deposits. Picnic with the kids. Kids just love these Noddy Cars.. My guess is that it was a shopping basket and got well and truly coked up hence the sticking valves.. Imo itd be well worth the effort to put in hardened seats for lead free petrol.. should add saleability and value to it as a result?? Looking fwd to the next installment. Wishing you a happy and safe xmas new year

[@garyclifton2180]

Hi guy so glad you gave it a go great to see it start x

[@brummie0007]

Great stuff guys, well done ;)

[@TheSiruncle]

Great to see the engine running with pretty much all original bits. 😊 Well done to you both. Doing the head up isn't hard, it's just being methodical really. It'll be a skill you may be able to use again too.

[@stuli6007]

When you don't have to drive it to work on Monday you can persevere! I don't know what it is about A series 4 bangers but they can start no matter how bad the motor is. I hope you get it driving sooner rather than later! Well done!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@PaulinesPastimes]

Wonderful result, in that freezing weather too, great determination. I don't think you can stop there, more exploration would be great. 😊🏆

[@markhinde6187]

It's alive........... great stuff guys

[@stephenkirsuphumble3960]

YESSS!!! brill guys crack on with this, its a great little car😊

[@keithhawker8531]

Great video just found you guys!!! Keep going with this car

[@garycorbin2789]

Keep on Keeping on , from Australia

[@markstokes5365]

Absolutely fantastic both, so pleased you persevered with trying to get her running, I was wishing for her to run, and when she fired brought a massive smile to my face. 😊 just like when I first fired up my A35 after I fully rebuilt it over 4.5 years 30 years ago! Such a massive reward and achievement. Well done. Clutch next!