PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP WINNER 2024 – COLIN FIDLER’S AUSTIN A35

Colin Fidler’s splendid A35 won the Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership 2024 competition and epitomises the sales slogan: “Buy Austin and Be Proud of It!” As he explains: “The car belonged to my late uncle Robin. He passed away in 2018, and my brother, my dad and I took the car on!” The result was one of the undoubted stars of The Practical Classics Classic Car and Restoration Show.

The original A30 of 1951 was a significant departure for Austin; it was their first new post-war small saloon and their first use of monocoque construction in a car. Early marketing used the name ‘A30 Seven’ but it never really caught on with the public. The A35 replaced it in the autumn of 1956, with modifications including a metal rather than chrome radiator grille, an enlarged rear screen and flashing indicators on the saloons. The Countryman estate and the van retained their semaphore trafficators.

The most important news for keen drivers was the 948cc BMC A-series engine combined with a remote-control gear lever replacing the A30’s 803cc unit. The British Motor Corporation assured potential buyers that ‘Life Is More Fun With An Austin A35”, not to mention “It does 50 mph and over 70 mph”. Autocar thought: “In some ways small cars like the A35 are more amusing to drive than their larger brethren.” Countless owners agreed.

At £541 7s, the A35 2-door was cheaper than its BMC stablemate, the Minor 1000 2-door for £602 17s. The two cars shared an A-series engine, but the Morris was slightly larger. The Anglia 100E cost the same as the Austin and looked roomier, but lacked its electric windscreen wipers; Ford GB persisted with a vacuum set-up until as late as 1962. It was also side valve-powered, unlike the A35’s OHV unit.

The Austin buyer might have also looked at the Ford Popular 103E, which, at £413 17s, was the UK’s cheapest new car, but it had a design that harked back to 1938. The Standard Eight was a very agreeable machine for £569 17s but, while it had four doors, it was devoid of an external boot lid. Neither the Rootes Group nor Vauxhall would offer a small car until 1963, while Citroën's Slough-built 2CV was costlier than the A35 at £598 7s. It was also far too bohemian for many respectable British motorists.

So, the A35 enjoyed a niche as enjoyable daily transport, while young competition drivers such as Graham Hill much appreciated its manners. BMC discontinued the saloons in 1959, shortly after the launch of the Austin A40 Farina, while the Countryman lasted until 1962. Sales of the A35 Van continued until as recently as 1968.

To see the Fidler Austin at the NEC reminded me of the A35’s many charming details: the torpedo-shaped side lamps atop the front wings, the Bakelite switches, the counterbalanced door glasses and the indicator control that resembles a parrot’s nose. The speedometer is reminiscent of an orange segment, and, of course, the bonnet proudly displays the ‘Winged A’ mascot.

Colin remarks that the A35 “drives like an old car; you have to constantly be on your guard while driving as the old-style brakes are terrible.” But he also remembers the Restoration Show: “As far as I am aware, everyone seemed to love the wee car” – sentiments echoed by virtually every visitor to the NEC.

With thanks to: Colin Fidler