1969 Austin America review from North America
"A Nightmare on Main Street"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Front drive shaft bent.
Transmission gear sheared.
Clutch slave cylinder leaked.
Discovered metal filings in the oil pan.
General comments?
This was my first car, a 1969 Austin America. It was one of the first front wheel drive cars available at the time. It was kind of like a big Mini.
This was the wrong car for an American teenager. I drove it way too hard. It was a delicate flower. It made me swear off front wheel drive until the 1990's.
I do reflect fondly on the car though. The steering wheel was tilted, sort of like a van or bus. The car was fun to drive and I'd love to have the chance to drive another one. Definitely not a daily driver, and almost impossible to find now.
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| Model year | 1969 |
| Year of manufacture | 1969 |
| First year of ownership | 1973 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 1973 |
| Engine and transmission | 4 cylinder Manual |
| Performance marks | 4 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 1 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 7 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 55000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 58000 miles |
| Date of Entry | 3rd November, 2009 |