1969 Austin America from North America - Comments

3rd Nov 2009, 15:36

"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.


4th Nov 2009, 13:04

Yes it sounds like 3 out of 4 of the problems you listed were from misuse & abuse (not that they were a reliable car by any stretch).

I remember when my sister was looking for her first car, the local Ford dealer had a '69 Austin America, but my dad instead bought her a '65 LTD. I guess she was better off in the land yacht, but the Austin sure was cute.

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