"Here is the story of my 1970 Austin America as well as I can patch it together with the records and paperwork I have.
On June 16, 1970, Mrs. Margaret C. Baker of Montgomery, Alabama, left Import Auto Sales and Service at 1935 Bell St. in Montgomery with her brand new, British Racing Green, Austin America. It was "loaded" as it contained all the options listed in the sales brochure including automatic transmission, AM radio, front grill guard, rear deck guard, electric clock, locking gas cap, and the "Convenience Kit," which included: front rubber floor mats, door scuff plates, doorsill protector plates, cigarette lighter, and walnut gear shift handle.
Mrs. Baker must have enjoyed tooling around Montgomery in her new little Austin, because a short 2 months later, on August 27, 1970, she returned to Import Auto Sales for her 1,000 mile service, where the little car received its first oil change and 4 new spark plugs, costing her a grand total of $9.91. By February 25, 1971 she was ready for her 3,000 mile service, and she was back again on January 25, 1972 for her 6,000 mile service, and again on November 29, 1972 for the 9,000 mile service. This was to be her last visit to Import Auto Sales as notes in her warranty booklet indicate they were out of business and closed in late 1972.
It appears that Mr. Baker now handled the service chores and kept careful notes on the services performed. Routine matters of oil/filter changes on an average of every 2,000 miles. New plugs, air filter, and valves adjusted at 15,098 miles. By December of 1975 the little Austin had accumulated 21,257 seemingly trouble free miles. From here the trail goes cold...had Mr. Baker taken ill? Had he perhaps passed away? Cant know for sure, but by 1978 the car was towed to Montgomery Sports Car Center for a new master cylinder, and by 1981, showing 23,819 miles it appeared at Godfreys Gulf Station for non-charging and hard-starting work. It appears that the car was then "retired." Seems that nobody understood the funny little British car or how to work on it. Mrs. Baker never gave up on her trusty little servant and left the Austin stored in the dry southern garage to enjoy retirement.
Fast forward to March of 2001, Mrs. Baker has passed away and her daughter is faced with the task of settling her estate. She mention the "old car" in her mothers garage to a neighbor in Richmond, Virginia, who travels to Montgomery to awaken the little car from its long hibernation. Being an antique car lover, the new owner takes on the task of bringing the little Austin back to life. After routine service on the brakes, tires, exhaust, oil change and tune up, the little Austin is humming along as best as an Austin America can. The new owner is not happy with the size or power of the car and decides it is not the car for him. He decides to sell and takes it to the Eastern National Meet of the Antique Automobile Club of America in Hershey Pennsylvania in October 2001.
Anyone who is familiar with the Hershey swap meet knows that it is one of the largest antique auto events in the world, with 3 fields covering over 80 acres with over 8000 vendors. With so much ground to cover what are the chances of walking by just as the owner pulls in with the Austin on a trailer? For me it was love at first sight.
While I may not be highly skilled in restoration work, I know a good car when I see one. Im a sucker for low mileage, original unrestored cars, and this car fit the bill. A true time capsule survivor!! All original interior is like new with no fade, rips, cracks or wear. It even still smells new. The outside has 90% factory original paint , with one slight blend on rear quarter panel...maybe a parking lot tangle years ago with a runaway shopping cart at the Piggly Wiggly grocery? Who knows? Slight bend in the front valance and bent bumper overrider (probably from that 1978 tow job). Otherwise, no serious flaws. Absolutely no rust. All over the car shows like new. Almost like being back in the Austin show room back in 1970. While looking at it, I was very impressed with this car and my heart started pounding...I like this car!!....I want this car!!
By now a crowd had started to build with people curious about the car...I still had the owners attention and after hearing the car run and having a quick look at all the original documentation a deal was struck. I bought the car in about 5 minutes and am convinced it would not have lasted if I had not seen it just as it arrived. I feel like it was meant to be. I was happy with my new car, and the previous owner was happy with the quick sale. Now he could enjoy the show rather than babysit the car all week.
When I brought the Austin back to North Carolina it was a big hit with my wife. With the automatic transmission she can drive it with ease. Total mileage is now 24,755 miles. We have added about 300 miles since we bought it and have enjoyed every minute. The paint responded well to buffing, a NOS bumper overrider has been located and a couple dented hub caps have been replaced. Other than these improvements, we plan to just enjoy the car, maintain its original condition and try to preserve it for the future as well as Mrs. Baker did."
