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For December 2001, I'm very happy to feature a 1969 Austin America owned and restored by friend and fellow Californian, Bill Reeves! Bill's car has the honor of being the very first "Austin America of the Month." Both Bill and his car are very deserving of the honor and will be receiving this commemorative plaque.
I met Bill through the MG1100 e-mail list available through Michael Carnell's MG1100 website. Recently, I got to meet Bill and his family in person while attending the "Mini Challenge" at the Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, CA. Bill's a great guy and has a wonderful wife who supports his Austin America ownership. How great is that?
Bill purchased his America in 1992. Like many Austin America's, it was to be an engine donor for his pending Mini restoration. But, Bill and his wife fell in love with the car and decided to keep it and restore it. It has now gone through 2 restorations by Bill since he purchased it.
One thing that is particularly great about Bill is that he does his own work. Mechanicals, interior upholstery, bodywork; Bill does it all. He was kind enough to provide all of these pictures and the following story of his car: 
I bought the Austin in 1992 for the motor for my 1962 Mini. This was purchased site unseen. My brother in-law and I went to San Francisco to pick the Austin up, trailer in tow. I didnt think the Austin would be able to drive from there to Clovis. To make a long story short the Austin would not fit in the trailer, the seller said just to drive it home the motor was new. So we drove the Austin to Clovis. When we got home my wife would not let me scrap the Austin and I thank her ever day for that. I love the Austin. The pictures are of the 2nd time I restored the Austin and painted it red. Original paint was yellow. As the pictures show, I went 89% through the Austin. New carpets, leather headliner, black leather seats.
Thanks,
Bill Reeves
ps. I still have not restored the mini but I am going
to retire after 38 years and hope to
have time to do the restore. 
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