First Wash in 52 Years: BARN FIND 1954 Austin A30 Goes Under The Karcher!

Join us as we give our Austin A30 its first wash in 52 years!
Having languished in a Norfolk outbuilding for over half a century, it was time to find out what was hiding under all that dirt.
What do you think of the result and what should we do next?
00:00 Intro
01:37 Using Compressed Air
02:44 The Wash
07:48 Drying
13:00 Cleaning the Interior
16:29 Before and Afters
17:09 Opening the Boot
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[@UKBarnFinds]

**THE STORY SO FAR** We've made great progress with this car! Here are all the chapters so far... 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? - kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5TToHRud86ZhtE 5. First Start in 52 Years! - kzbin.info/www/bejne/mp-2p3aJoZqqec0

[@writerconsidered]

You should put it on a lift see what kind shape it is under it. More on the engine as well. Drop the oil pan before you consider putting new oil in it. Also the gas tank.

[@LAactor]

My trick is save good used oil from oil changes to put in revival rigs to start them, because it's all going to be changed again anyway.. might as well put a known good uncontaminated throwaway fluid back to reuse. @@writerconsidered

[@LAactor]

My trick is save good used oil from oil changes to put in revival rigs to start them, because it's all going to be changed again anyway.. might as well put a known good uncontaminated throwaway fluid back to reuse. @@writerconsidered

[@Salman-sc8gr]

Claire, must use goggles while blowing and a vacuum cleaner is even better.

[@steveloy7514]

I can't believe you have this car! In 1968 I joined the USAF and found myself stationed at Lowery AFB Colorado. I purchased a 1954 Austin A-30 and absolutely loved it! I kept it for several years qnd only sold it when I started having a family. This brings back some great memories for this old 75 year old Veteran! Thanks for sharing!

[@UKBarnFinds]

What a fantastic comment. This car has brought back so many memories for people and we absolutely love that.

[@FenderTele]

I showed this to my parents and it reminded them of their youth. Dad's first car was an A 30 that he bought in 1965. It was a 1956 that had 12,000 miles on it. On their first date a drunk driver in a mk 2 Jaguar wrote it off. They were sitting at a picnic table overlooking the beach eating chips . The Mk 2 tore into the car park hitting it so hard that the engine block split in two. The front of the A 30 was smashed right up to the A pillar. They had a super 8 camera with them and I still have the film of the aftermath!!! The oil puddle is spreading below the A 30 as Steam rises from the Jag. Dad said its great that it's silent as the air turned blue!!

[@UKBarnFinds]

Blimey. The A30 didn’t stand a chance! You need to get that film on KZbin, if you haven’t already. It will outlive us all if you do 😀

[@TheBrummie1960]

My dear Dad worked at the Austin Longbridge factory in the 1950s when this A30 gem was made, undoubtedly working on this particular car. He'd be so proud and elated to see how both of you have brought this little masterpiece back from the dead. Much appreciated, and many thanks for your mesmerising presentation.

[@UKBarnFinds]

Thank you. It makes us both so happy to know that our cars bring back fond memories to people.

[@joewoodchuck3824]

It's good to have memories like that.

[@JAY61ish]

My Dad started at the Austin at Longbridge After the war.. he did 43 years there. He saw some changes. He was very lucky to take early retirement just before the Pheonix lot took over.. so got a nice BMW Pension.. ha ha.. He worked on sheet metalwork for this car. and i think he finished up working on the Allegro..

[@garymillerlcs]

What a great couple of videos so far on the little A30. Amazing condition for something not used for 52 years. Incredible that so little water got in during the power washing. Well done and thank you for recording it for us to see on KZbin. A real bit of history!

[@A2Z1Two3]

That was go8ng to be my comment , how perished are the rubber seals .

[@UKBarnFinds]

They are shot to pieces. We had to be very gentle around them, especially when gleaning the glass by hand.

[@tonygray8648]

Hi guys Elton you are a very lucky person having a really gorgeous assistant, really enjoying the finds they are my generation, i am 76 years old now, and a trip down memory lane with the both of you is just a blast, great video work

[@iconicshrubbery]

Exactly like my Grandpa Syd's A30. 55 years ago, I remember that mint-green, the curious white bakelite central turning indicator, the slide-down windows and those leather door pull straps. A biplane mechanic in ww1, he would keep it immaculate. ❤

[@robertdowdall1068]

Memories, learnt to drive in a dear old A30 at 2/6 a lesson

[@MetamorphicWonders]

That item you pulled out the boot is a Stirrup Pump in bits. Wartime ARP. The handle with the plunger was the first thing you pulled out.

[@A2Z1Two3]

Yep beat me to it ( but I’m old enough for it to be pretty obvious what it was ) 😢

[@highpath4776]

@@A2Z1Two3 they had gone on a road trip, would it be for pumping oil from a 50gallon drum ?

[@Ragnar8504]

My cousin in Germany still had one of these pumps in his garage in the early 2000s and might still do. Similar pumps, though with a plastic handle, were still sold new around that time. My parents had one for bicycles and eventually that top cap, which was made of very cheap steel, just popped off and refused to stay on even though I tried to bend it back into shape, it was just too soft. Having seen that pump in bits the handle with the long rod and piston made it extremely obvious what this was.

[@OneFlyingLap]

Now that’s what you call a survivor car, well done to the both of you 💪

[@Eastsussexbiker]

Looks like a real gem you ve picked up there. Fantastic little find. Well done keep videos coming.

[@stejac51]

LOVERLY ... nice little CLASSIC bit of British motoring history ... BTW @ 20:34 the object is what is left of a tyre pump internal pushrod complete with what appears to be the leather 'cup washer' .... the outer tube you fished out a minute or two later ...

[@noonehere1793]

Ah….simpler times indeed!👍

[@johnlockhart5889]

Fascinating. I remember traveling to work in one of these in 1970/1971. The other end of the starting handle is a socket for the wheel studs, as well as a crank for the jack. Actually, my first driving lesson was in one of these, learning how to let the clutch up without stalling in first gear.

[@UKBarnFinds]

The engineering in this car fascinates us. Simple, but clever, if that makes sense! I can’t wait to get back to working on it again. Been spending too long on the road recently! Thanks for commenting and I hope you enjoy the next update on the A30.

[@hallscroft]

I used to have one of these ... it was my first car in 1972 - British Racing Green. I loved it!

[@johnadcock3706]

You can’t beat the pleasure of a bucket and sponge.

[@steveloy7514]

I had knee surgery and actually took the front passenger seat out so I could fit my leg cast into the car! I sat on the back seat so my wife could drive me to class. What a grear little car only mine was a beautiful dark blue!

[@williamm3820]

Lovely little car and extra bonus is to see the old Cromer Nissan Cherry which I used to see driven by an elderly gentleman on numerous visits to the town.

[@Joe-lb8qn]

OMG that model was my dads first car. Many happy journeys in the back seat of that me and my brother. Dad must have sold it in the mid 60's.

[@user-xb2hh1tg5v]

I like that tiny car,the body and flooring are still in good shape.I love that tiny car ❤❤❤

[@andyf750]

Love the story behind this little car. And Claire has such a calm, reassuring voice.

[@UKBarnFinds]

It’s such an amazing little thing. The car that is, not Claire, although she’s pretty cool 😂

[@daviddunlop7057]

We had an A35 estate as our furst family car way back in the early sixties and I can confirm that the dark green floor paint was the original factory colour. Great job by the way.😀

[@UKBarnFinds]

Thank you so much for your comment. The green is stunning 😍

[@nickb5391]

You mean a Countryman, The interior flooring should be body colour, all our A30's & A35's in our club all have matching floor & body colour

[@earthwizz]

A trip down memory lane. I learned to drive and got my licence in one of these in the early 60s.

[@AngusMacKinnon-xm5ko]

I remember my dad bought an Green Austin A30 in 1954. He later traded it in on an Austin A50 that was black in colour which was finally traded in on a Duck Egg Blue and white Austin A55 Farina. I loved those three cars. Wish I can find me one of those cars now.

[@iDayno]

Great to see it, didn't realise you could get into the boot that way 😂 As for paint, I would clear lacquer or just leave as is as that's what gives this car its character!

[@kenmartin861]

Name it dalmatian

[@joewoodchuck3824]

They'll do what they want to with it, but I'm of the opposite opinion that the car should be restored to the best extent possible.

[@patrickh7368]

I remember my Dads cars (like my 1st car) had a door key, boot key and ignition key… I remember being amazed when a friend at college put his keys down and “what one key fits everything “ 😮

[@UKBarnFinds]

😂😂

[@highpath4776]

@@UKBarnFinds keys can vary, even the same number sometimes the thickness can catch on the older locks.

[@gerhard6105]

Like the Alfa Romeo GTV6, ignition key, boot key and a small gas cap key.

[@timothywilliams4089]

We toured southern Ireland in this car,me, mum and dad in 1958. I used to turn the indicators for him; there was vetry little traffic on the roads back then, and the motor probably reched 60mph flat out!. A leisurely two weeks, stayed in a caravan and the odd hotel,...memories...

[@UKBarnFinds]

We're glad we helped bring back those memories 😀

[@timothywilliams4089]

@@UKBarnFinds Indeed, touring back then was so leisurely,...and slow; we always hired a car from Ryan's in Cork, the old man almost fainted one time when they produced a huge Zephyr with bench seats, he was so used to his Morris Minor company car. He worked for Coast Lines, who ran the Fishguard to cork steam packet, so it was a free holiday complete with caravan,...always in a remote field or farm.

[@antonyspencer6619]

Brilliant job, keep them videos coming ,,much appreciated

[@chrisbailey9331]

I remember my Dad had one of these; exactly the same colour green. He always had Austin cars.

[@nickb5391]

A little tip to clean some of your reasonable chrome i use Cillit Bang bathroom the Purple & Orange bottle, it gets all the mildewy type stuff off, try & get the trigger one rather than the aerosol one

[@mv4ago]

2:15 Please, please wear eye protection when using airlines. I can tell you from personal experience that having bits of rust picked out of your eyeballs by a nurse with a needle is not fun! It took three sessions to clear my left eye and it's left a permanent scar on the cornea. Love the A30, I've wanted an A35 van for 40 years now!

[@UKBarnFinds]

Noted, thank you 🙏

[@peterduxbury927]

I owned a 1965 A35 Van in Florentine Blue. Engine was perfect. Low Mileage. But (by 1968) it was on the Scrap Heap. I never owned a vehicle that wanted to return to Mother Earth so badly! Try and avoid any vehicle with King Pins on the Steering. I was still paying it off. A totally bad experience to own an A35 Van.

[@highpath4776]

East Sussex Minors had a A35 Van in stock (in parts) about 20 years ago

[@seamusburke9101]

​@@peterduxbury927if you keep the king pins greased owning an A35 van is the best experience you'll ever have with your clothes on.

[@nickb5391]

@15.07, common area, it's where the factory body mounts were fitted underneath, that floor looks amazing

[@jaapfries]

GREAT music on the intro ! ! !

[@pauljames9393]

Im 55 and I remember having a drive around in one of those in the 70s ! Steam the interior rather than detergents, but I highly recomend Auto Glym ! .....Great find.

[@denisdonoghue1580]

pluger out of a foot pump, wheel nut brace.Graham Hill use to race these cars

[@jonjoyce3188]

Excellent, deserves to be preserved exactly as is…oily rag it. 👍

[@roydavidlivermore4664]

Had one from 1963 until 1965. A great little car !

[@UKBarnFinds]

We still haven’t driven one! Seems to be so much love for the A30. Genuinely, we had no idea.

[@toy838]

Best film u have done well presented your nice too great car

[@SwietyJunior]

It looks amazing so far 🤩, really want to hear that little motor run

[@UKBarnFinds]

Are you being paid by Claire to post this? 😂

[@SwietyJunior]

😂

[@jamesgay3207]

OMG please don't hand paint it. Get it running and leave it as it is.... enjoy !

[@UKBarnFinds]

Welcome to Team Elton 👍🏻

[@james5796]

Oh dear - looks like the old girl has got measles

[@bmwman1981]

@@UKBarnFindsget it repainted professionally

[@janinapalmer8368]

Is there a part 2 ?

[@davidgreenwood5241]

Ye just get those few rust spots and it’ll be as right as rain

[@jamesdonaldson4416]

The first car we had when I was a kid in the early 60s.

[@Lot76CARS]

Great video guys, what a lovely little car and a voyage of discovery cleaning it! Looking forward to the next instalment!

[@UKBarnFinds]

So glad you enjoyed the video. I dare say we will be having a bit of a tinker in the engine bay next 👍

[@andyhewitt7588]

An enjoyable video, thanks. If we’re mine I would get it mechanically sound, replace the window rubbers, polish the chrome and rub the bodywork down and clear coat it to preserve the patina and it’s character.

[@kiwiinaustria]

my first car wa an A30 when i was 12!! bit of a project with my father and I, shame the side blinkers aren't there mine still worked!! back in the 80's!!

[@gardentractorcollectoruk520H]

With such a original car, you have to leave that wonderful patina.

[@raytheron]

The other end of the starting handle looks like a wheel spanner. She's remarkably well preserved for her age, this old girl!

[@MrByrneyboy]

She’s gorgeous. And I like the Austin too😊

[@nickb5391]

@14.15, the outside is the original colour of Tintern Green

[@Ragnar8504]

Do you reckon the floor's been repainted since it's a much different colour? Or rather two colours it seems.

[@jayarenneilson6049]

nicely done, she is coming along a real treat!

[@johnbratley6926]

That darker green in the footwell is not the original colour it's a paint that was often added by owners to protect the chassis. I had a 1962 traveller that had been painted in that colour underneath, unfortunately the box sections rotted out from inside despite half a gallon of old engine oil being poured into each side.

[@horsenuts1831]

When I was a kid there were a couple of kids from California at our school (1972) whose parents were over here for a couple of years, and the parents bought an old one of these Austins as a runabout. Back in California they had a huge station wagon. Those kids thought the car was hilarious. I'm pretty sure that in the same decade I saw that Austin being used on a school run, and one of our teachers owning one of those Datsun Cherrys that appears at 17:49.

[@phillipclaridge3112]

You two make me chuckle! I wish my other half was as enthusiastic with cars as Claire is. Anyone who knows me would know that I would prefer to fully restore the car

[@UKBarnFinds]

I’m a very lucky guy. If only she could cook…😂 Claire did the entire interior clean herself, which was great. Once she got started, there was no stopping her.

[@phillipclaridge3112]

Claire is a huge asset to your channel

[@UKBarnFinds]

So true. Without her, there wouldn't be a channel. UK Barn Finds is just the two of us and I don't have the time, skill or inclination to edit videos. She does it all and is the driving force behind the channel. I just get to play with cars!

[@ianhow100]

At least it looked genuine rust & mud underneath. Some of these washes show a neatly new poss already restored car underneath imitation mud & dust😊

[@The_Cotswold_Cyclist]

Personally, I'd get her running and mechanically sound, oil the outside, or sympathetically sort the rust scabs and enjoy her. Please don't hand paint her. She's wearing her years with pride.

[@richardmcintosh2445]

Fun, shining through. I enjoyed every minute of a nicely put together video. Cheered me up!

[@UKBarnFinds]

So glad you enjoyed the video and thank you for your lovely comment 👍

[@ry491]

I used to hand paint cars years ago. I used Tecaloid coach paint. If prepped well and correctly applied it can look great . Have a go with it. It's great fun .

[@A2Z1Two3]

Or leave it alone and preserve it as it is .

[@grahamfarleck6377]

Top tip for cars like this , put it back in the barn you found it so you don’t ruin it by hand painting it .

[@johnstringer5359]

My first car was a A35 difference was a larger rear window than the A30. Brings back great memories.

[@UKBarnFinds]

This car does seem to bring back a lot of memories for people. It’s been so much fun for us.

[@peterpumkineater6872]

Paint it with small sponge roller gives great finish.🎉

[@raymondpearce5245]

Brilliant video guys

[@UKBarnFinds]

Thank you.

[@LawnMowersThingsThatMakeNoise]

I have just stumbled upon your channel. I love it !!!!!

[@eveb446]

Nice car.

[@terryroberts4589]

The thing you Frist pulled out was tyre pump handle for the pump you pulled out after 👍

[@roberthocking9138]

The thing in the boot in the plunger part of a hand pump used to pump up tyres , you have both halves of it there.

[@dextermuir7882]

The A30 was the smallest of the Austin range, and was known as the A3: no room for the nought (naught/naughty) nudge nudge 😉 That newspaper was from about the time I was driving an A40 Devon (Same general style as this A3), which was advertised when new for Grace, Space and Pace. There was a different 'Somerset' style). The A40 had a long-stroke 1200cc engine that gave great torque for hill-climb (Bridle Path, Lyttelton, one of NZ's steepest streets) and acceleration (I called mine the Austang!). it was a comfortable 4-seater and 'topped out' valve-bouncing at 5000rpm and 80mph. It really lived its claims. Fond memories indeed from a now-73yo 'Kiwi!

[@neilharrison7555]

It looks, from the GB sticker and yellow paint-on "sodium" tint on a headlight, like some brave soul has ventured into La Belle France with the little A30!!

[@UKBarnFinds]

Sure did. Please check out the previous video, if you have a moment, as we found evidence of that trip.

[@nickmartin563]

My Dad had the van version in the very early 60s. It was the same colour green that you found under the carpets.

[@penguin1165]

Loving these videos. Looking good 👌

[@ce7618]

That handle part you pulled out. Fits the tube and turns into the hand pump i think

[@stevenpenman9182]

Good find 😊Solid looking wee car And surprised at how well those old rubber seals held up to a power wash .Maybe a clear coat on the paint work and leave as is.

[@mothmagic1]

Same colour as the A35 my parents had, minus the rust spots. Ah the trusty Auto Glym products. Wonderful stuff. The shaft with the wooden handle is part of a tyre pump.

[@marielouiseweeksb33attitud33]

Same colour as my parents Zephyr

[@bantam49]

First car I owned was a 1955 A30 in Almond green? That is the factory colour under the carpets. 😎

[@ianplatt1375]

Bloody hell not open since we were born I'm now 52😮❤😅😊

[@UKBarnFinds]

It’s amazing. There’s a photo of some fresh-faced DJ on the newspaper. Goes by the name of Tony Blackburn. Not sure he’ll last the course 😂

[@marcduthie4327]

Another great video. Sorry Claire. I'm with Elton oily rag that finish. Thanks for your hard work.

[@UKBarnFinds]

She’s fighting a losing battle here 😂

[@garyphillips7993]

First time viewer, what a great find. I couldn’t hand paint a little treasure like that. The ‘patina’ seems a bit much for an oily rag job, but I guess that would keep it honest. I’d be suckered into a proper re spray in the original colour. First part out the boot looked like the inner parts to the pump you pulled out next. Good old sturdy tow rope in there as well. I’m surprised there weren’t a spare set of points & plugs in there - a must have in the A Series days 😉 Looking forward to seeing it fire up and what plans you have 👍

[@stephenhowlett6345]

That old thing you took out the boot is a part that goes in an old brass weed killer sprayer.

[@johnmorgan5377]

It’s Almond green like mine I always start mine by stating handle

[@djrichylaurence8991]

Great little cars. My friends dad had one with a 1500 mg engine in it.

[@geebee6737]

I bought one of these from Chorley car auctions back in the 70's to learn to drive....had to put it back in the auction as couldn't use it as the hand brake wasn't in the middle as required for learners but on the right hand side next to the drivers door. the instructors needed to grab it when required so this car couldn't be used as a learner vehicle. I paid £50 for it .

[@MrChrissy1r]

My first car when I was 8 years old, I used to drive it around the orchard collecting the apples and pears. great little car. Back in those days yes people put all kids of mats on the floors unfortunately though they helped to hold the dampness and any leaks hence the floors did rot out, Mt mone was grey, sadly ending it's life in a local breakers yard after a pretty hard working life. That said though As I grew older I changed my cars like a woman changes her mind, so much so my insurance guy did me a dealer policy when I was still in my teens, boy I wish I had those old cars now though, I had some that are now worth an awful lot of money! I had 5 Ford Anglia vans, I must have had 20 or more Ford Anglia cars, I used to strip them and race in F1200 series short circuit races, and then moved on to the Escorts had too many of them to count. I had Wolseleys Rileys Hillmans Capri's jags , Daimlers and so on. All Classics now though.

[@theymusthatetesla3186]

....Caroline Langrishe!.....THAT is who she reminds me of!

[@the2ems1]

The reg plate is in good nick 😂😂😂

[@marielouiseweeksb33attitud33]

My big brother had one of these for his 21st birthday. I was only 7 or 8 at the time.

[@downthegaragelayout.7465]

Hi new to your channel if it was mine I would get it running so it's mechanically sound and leave it as it is. Good luck 👍👍

[@michaellowe1135]

I would clean the chrome as best as could then seal paint as is then get her road ready and enjoy great vid looking forward to the next installment

[@nickb5391]

@20.59, the other half of the tyre pump

[@dustystuffgarage]

Just subscribed to your channel loving the content, my mum had a black A40. The switch on the dash is for the flick up indicators from memory. Cheers guys

[@UKBarnFinds]

I think you’re right. The A40 is a cool car. I often see those for sale.

[@user-gu5kk7wr5q]

I recognised the car jack its the same type I had with my 1958 Morris Minor.

[@stephenwhitemore1519]

Congratulations, you now have a clean pile of scrap. The thing in the boot, you were not sure of. I believe it is the plunger from a old school grease gun. Stay well stay safe 😊😊😊

[@tomasfinkelman]

It is the piston for the tyerpump

[@MySteaming]

Bloody hell Steve Bruce is the auctioneer....

[@nickmartin563]

I'm pretty sire that the first thing that you removed from the boot was the inner workings of a hand pump. It's the same as the handle attachment on an older long style cycle pump.

[@user-mowfq]

Good job 👏👍❤

[@ianjones4071]

Hi here I Australia these cars were the go to car in the 60,s 70,s as a paddock bomb ,to learn to drive as a 12 year old, I wonder if they are like an early mg with a tin top ,love it great job😊

[@bbqguy777]

This video made me hungry for mint chocolate chip ice cream.

[@garrymelnyk8084]

My gosh what a tiny car! I don't think these were imported into Canada. I certainly remembers the A40 being in great abundance over here. Definitely worth preserving.

[@bobcooke6346]

Nice seeing you clean this little beauty,so, around fifty years ago I used to use an orange coloured liquid/gel call Decosol (probably wrong spelling) but it was amazing at cleaning trim and vinyl seats etc. 👏👍

[@UKBarnFinds]

Decosol still seems to exist, as a brand. I wonder if they still make that product?

[@bobcooke6346]

@@UKBarnFinds I haven’t seen that particular product for some years, but I just remember how good it was, it just lifted the dirt right off of dirty seats in particular without any scrubbing or effort even 👍

[@angelsone-five7912]

Nice work, the paint you found on the floor is Spruce Green if original.

[@SalisburyKarateClub]

That object you pulled out of the boot is part of the pump, old school but I had one.

[@hideouslyugly]

Wow, shes cute, and the car.

[@rayrowland8348]

hi i had an a35 i restored it was speedwell blue interior was shot. stripped everything out seats windows .carpets i threw rotten,. this is 20 years a go .i blasted the floor black hamerite .primed and resprayed interior royal blue .i found a red interior red carpet put interior in done. then primed resprayed exterior boot inside took engine out primed. then resprayed exterior royal blue engine bay boot put a morris 1000 engine in old english white wheels chrome hub caps had bumpers re chromed beautiful car sold it bought a 2.8i capri looking at your car real colour id the boot green not the floor green. brings back good memories . very nice car you have. watch kickback on starting handle lol🙂