Restoration project

[IanB]

This was never intended to be a published picture, it was taken purely to email to a fellow enthusiast to show what we'd found.

However, a bit of processing whilst stuck at home waiting for visitors has given an interesting image, I think.

Just got to finish the FX3 and the Beardmore Paramount Mk7 & we can start on this one, which is....

 

 

actually, just for fun, I'm going to invite suggestions as to what vehicle it is

[ChrisLumix]

Austin 12?

[IanB]

Austin 12?

Nope, sorry.

Definitely an Austin (the badge IS a giveaway lol)

[JohnP]

It's shape looks very much like an old London black cab... an Austin FX3 from the 1950's maybe. It's a job to tell what colour it is so maybe it's not a black cab but a similar non cab model.

[Guest]

Looks like an Austin 8

[ChrisLumix]

My dad had an Austin 16 (1948) up until the late 60s - fantastic car, unless you were a nipper who got travel sick!

[IanB]

It's shape looks very much like an old London black cab... an Austin FX3 from the 1950's maybe. It's a job to tell what colour it is so maybe it's not a black cab but a similar non cab model.

Well spotted John, it is indeed an FX3 derivative, officially known as the FL1 limousine - it has 4 doors whereas the FX3 only had 3 with a luggage space instead of a front  passenger door/seat. The FL1 has a bench seat in the front & some very nifty folding seats in the rear. They are quite a rare vehicle, according to the vintage taxi register there are only a dozen or so still around & we were very lucky to buy this one on ebay. It needs a fair bit of work but the rarity makes it worthwhile.

[JohnP]

Ian... are you going to post images of the restoration once it's started? You could create a thread and keep adding shots from time to time.

[IanB]

@JohnP: tbh it's going to be a while before the FL1 gets touched, we bought it because the chances of finding another are so slender (& the price was cheap!).

We already have an FX3 on the go - current status, in bits!!!! Actually, the running gear has all been renovated & it runs and drives but can't go on the highway due to missing bodywork (if it unbolts it's on the floor!)

I'll post up a few pics of that one in a separate thread but also I'm trying to catch up with what we've done in a blog here:  www.aifx3rebuild.wordpress.com Unfortunately work on the car is proceeding faster than I can type & edit photos lol

Then we've got the Beardmore - current status, mechanically sorted, bodily shabby (sounds a bit like me). Hopefully that one will be a fairly quick job.

Here's a photo of it on the road (well, the trailer's on the road & the Beardmore's on the trailer)

 

Click image to view large

 

& it's a poor picture because I only had my phone with me.

 

 

Edit: for some reason the link I posted doesn't seem to work, but if you copy & paste into your address bar it should get you there

[JohnP]

@JohnP: tbh it's going to be a while before the FL1 gets touched, we bought it because the chances of finding another are so slender (& the price was cheap!).

We already have an FX3 on the go - current status, in bits!!!! Actually, the running gear has all been renovated & it runs and drives but can't go on the highway due to missing bodywork (if it unbolts it's on the floor!)

I'll post up a few pics of that one in a separate thread but also I'm trying to catch up with what we've done in a blog here:  www.aifx3rebuild.wordpress.com Unfortunately work on the car is proceeding faster than I can type & edit photos lol

Then we've got the Beardmore - current status, mechanically sorted, bodily shabby (sounds a bit like me). Hopefully that one will be a fairly quick job.

 

Thank for the info Ian!  Sounds like you won't get bored in the near or distant future...

[ChrisLumix]

Thank for the info Ian!  Sounds like you won't get bored in the near or distant future...

 

No, but his engine blocks may...

[JohnP]

No, but his engine blocks may...