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For May 2003, I'm very happy to feature a 1970 Austin America owned and recently purchased by Kevin Pehl of Pasadena, CA. Kevin's car has the honor of being the very first Austin America featured on my site that has been sold by a new car dealer! That's right, the car was actually traded in to a Chevrolet Dealership in Colorado. The dealership contacted me via my website, and asked for assistance selling it. Not long after that, I got an email from Kevin, who was looking to purchase his first America and he only wanted an automatic transmission model. Although I hadn't actually seen the car, other than an emailed photograph showing the car from about 50 yards away, it had been described to me as "perfect." I'll let you decide. Personally, I think it's the nicest all original, unrestored America that I've ever seen.
Here's the letter I received from the dealer:
Hi,
I work for John Elway Chevrolet in Denver, Colorado. We took a 1970 Austin America on trade with only 33,000 miles on it last Saturday. Everyone at the dealership was wondering what it was. I became the expert when I told them that my mother had one in the early 70s. I had
a chance to drive it tonight. It runs good, the interior is great (a small tear in the drivers seat) and the exterior is immaculate. It's British Racing Green and has the automatic.
If we decide to sell it, I'll let you know! (If we decide to auction it, it will be gone within a week. I really hope that we keep it!) If I could afford it, I'd buy it!
Brian
I grew up in a family that loved German cars. So when I told my parents I wanted the Austin America the response was never positive. I was told I better learn how to work on them because they need constant maintenance.
Growing up I saw them frequently in the 70's and 80's and would always stop to admire them. I thought they were perfect.
About 5 years ago I started shaking the bushes for one and didn't have much luck. I knew I wanted one with an automatic transmission that I could start up and drive away in. All the Americas I found needed complete restoration and were stick shift. The search stopped for a while.
This year I discovered Todd's website and started reading about all the America owners and other parts of his website. I was intrigued. I still wanted one.
Todd told me about a couple and I looked at them but they needed much more time than I could give them.
Shortly thereafter, someone had e-mailed him with a Racing Green America and wanted to find a good home for it. I bid on it and got it! A beautiful Racing Green with 33,000 miles on it. Original interior and paint all in excellent condition and........it was automatic!
Now I have it and I love it! So far, no problems. My mechanic did some minor carburetor repairs on it, did an oil change and told me to come get it! I really didn't expect much, thought it might not run well or have much get up and go. SURPRISE! It started right up and runs like a brand new car!
So the search has ended and I have my America. I use it much more than I ever intended to. I can't avoid it. It's such a pleasure to drive!
I love my Austin America!
Kevin Pehl,
Pasaden, CA
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