This isn’t a car you see in southern Ohio everyday. I liked it well enough to go around the block for this snapshot. Google says that it’s a 1969 Austin America. It reminds me of the Mini Cooper which my little nerd heart adores.
Friends, go around the block when you see something worth a second look! It’s worth the trip.
Oh, so sweet!
I have to admit, I have never seen or heard of this car… and even I owned a 1979 Austin Mini. Sure looks like a Mini, but the wheelbase is stretched. And that rear glass has an interesting slant to it.
This is clearly someone’s race car project. In the rear passenger window, you can see some white pipes, which I think is a roll care. Then there’s those big over-fenders that cover bigger, wider wheels & tires.
Bravo to Brandi B for teaching me something new about vintage English cars today.
I think it’s hilarious you learned anything from me about cars! I have an eye but no brain for cars!
You think I believe THAT story? You are clearly an expert in mid-to-late ’60s British automobiles. And if your goal was to locate an obscure vehicle to trick all the “supposed” gearheads…. Mission Accomplished!
But seriously, thanks for snapping that picture, I really learned a lot today about Austin’s attempt to crack the American market, after the success of vehicles like the VW Beetle. The company took their Mini, gave it a big engine, and made it larger. Isn’t that exactly what a Brit would think an American wants?.
lol. You’ve got me! I clearly am a secret expert in all things British autos. Would you believe I actually drove past and made it a block away before deciding to go back? It was just too unusual to pass up!
That’s an amusing string of comments on the car. I’ve never seen one like that and know nothing about it, but my husband’s pretty knowledgeable. I’ll quiz him!
Yes! Please! I would love to know if he’s familiar.
Hubby had fun with this one! He ended up relying on Google images in the end, but he wound up with a lot to say about it:
“The car in the image is an Austin America, likely a 1969 or 1970 model. It is a variant of the BMC ADO16 platform, designed by Alec Issigonis. Key details about this specific vehicle and model include:
• It is a front-wheel-drive vehicle.
• The original models used an 1,100-cc BMC A-Series inline four-cylinder engine.
• The car has a unique liquid suspension system.
This car is being modified with wide wheels and tires, added fended flares, and a might see a roll cage for racing inside. These were hot little cars, cornered like crazy and ultra light. Somebody enthusiasts labor of love and a money pit. It will easily out race any stock Miata.”
(Yes, he used to have a Miata.)
Cool! I think this is close to what Google images told me about the picture. I’m glad he was entertained!
He would love to have your permission to post your photo on his Quora old car group. He said these cars were very poorly made and most of them rusted out by the 1980s. “I’d never let my wife or kid drive one around the block!” Right.
lol. He’s welcome to it.
You’ll have to let me know if he gets any interesting reactions from the photo!
Nice find. You are correct in comparing it to a Mini. It is the same company, and many of the same engineers/designers. Introduced 2 or 3 years later it is in many ways a Mini but one size larger.
I figured you would know Dan!