1931 American Austin 2 Door Sedan
American Austin Company was founded on February 23, 1929 in order to produce cars licensed from British Austin Motor Company. While this is commonplace today, think Toyota North America, it was a new venture in the early 20th century. The manufacturing plant was located in Butler, Pennsylvania, a place that is currently in the news as the location of the assassination attempt on former President Trump. Only 1,279 Austin American vehicles were built in 1931.
For consignment, a 1931 American Austin 2 door sedan steel bodied street rod with twice as many cylinders as it would have come with and although the original small cars could get 40 mpg, we doubt they were as fun as this one!
Exterior
If the size, shape, and exposed engine doesn't get your attention, the two stage orange paint sure will! It starts on the radiator surround, covers the fenders, the frame, and from the cowl back. It's adorned with pinstriping which trails to the back where they become an elaborate design. Also in back, we find the small rear window and slit style tail lights on the valance, while flared fenders maintain a classic 30's style while shielding wide tires. The square doors conform to these fenders on the side and are topped by a slightly rounded roofline that meets the rounded top as it drops down to form a straight back in profile. 15-inch Billet Specialties wheels staggered both in width and in the tire size give the car a great stance that is level and bordered by side pipes that do not stray far from the door bottom. The paint is in great shape with imperfections noted that include a few various chips.
Interior
Charcoal vinyl door cards have a purple graphic looking a bit like a rocket on each door which trails from the back panel of the same materials and colors. The bench seat is also covered in black vinyl with a purple pleat stitched insert while a billet steering wheel on tilt column fronts the body keyed dashboard that houses oyster colored VDO gauges with brass rings. Cut to fit charcoal carpet provides a gap for the Lokar floor mounted shifter. Above us is a black vinyl headliner in great shape.
Drivetrain
Out there for all to see is a well dressed and beefy 460ci V8 that has been bored .030 over with a specialty ground camshaft, Cobra Jet aluminum heads, an Edelbrock Victor intake manifold and a Holley 4-barrel carburetor. Fuel is pumped from a fuel cell via an electric fuel pump. A C6 3-speed automatic transmission with a reverse valve body sends power a short distance to the Ford 9" rear. For stopping power, the car is equipped with disc brakes in the front and drum brakes in the rear. Headers send the spent gas on their short journey to the side pipes.
Undercarriage
Contrasting purple paint is used on a lot of components and underside items and presents nicely with the orange frame. Some of the paint is peeling in places but everything is otherwise clean. There's a drop of oil on the drain plus and some residual oil on the pumpkin, but neither seem to be actively leaking. Suspension consists of coil overs in the front and a 4 bar with coil overs in the rear.
Drive-Ability
This is a serious car with a sense of humor. It's a scaled down version of a period car with a big engine and lots of power and while the inside might feel fun, the power plant and its booming exhaust, is all business. But it is fun and fast, tracks well, handles nicely, however the brake pedal sits at a bad angle and that's the first thing we'd adjust as the car is unsafe to drive in the present configuration. All the gauges and lights work as do all other available functions. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
This Pennsylvania built Brit represents a fun car with an interior by Pattons, frame by Fatman fabrication, paint by Folk, and body construction by Taylor Built LLC. A lot of craftsmanship went in to creating a showstopper with diminutive proportions that will garner smiles wherever you happen to drive
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
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