1967 Austin 1100 Countryman

Austin 1100 Countryman 1967

Very reluctant sale of this extremely rare version of the ADO16 Austin 1100 model.

Finished in Trafalgar Blue with blue interior and with just 29, 000 miles from new, this handsome estate is a must for any serious collector or marque enthusiast.

The British Motor Industry Heritage Certificate confirms that GRV 973E was built in Longbridge 2nd March 1967. It was despatched on 9th March to the destination dealer Stringer Motors Limited of Southsea, Hants.

It was registered on 1st April and sold to its first owner on 25th May a Mr Leonard Fitzgerald of Denmead, Hants.

It stayed in the family ownership for some 30 years and was used up to around 1992. It left the family around 2000 after it had been parked up in a garage for around 10 years. Mileage was around 23, 000, confirmed genuine at the time by a family member and their neighbour! An MOT certificate dated May 29th, 1991, shows the mileage at 23, 607. The second owner was a mechanical engineer who recommissioned the car for his mother, who aged 80 and having driven it once decided it wasn’t for her.

It passed to its next owner who did little to it other than a couple of hundred miles per year and kept it in a heated garage.

In 2010 it passed to its third registered owner, who seems to have used it little. It changes hands a few years later, again without much use.

I purchased the car in August 2022 from its next owner, (neither he nor the mechanic who recommissioned the car back in 2000 appear to have registered the car in their name). The V5 shows 4 former keepers.

Since then, it has been part of my mostly BMC collection and has again been used little but started and run regularly.

The condition is as I would imagine it to have been at the time of it’s recommissioning in 2000.

In order to explain what was done at the time, the following is an email extract from the owner who purchased it from his mechanic friend.

"Bodywork, overall, virtually immaculate. Had what must have been a ‘tidying’ blow down the flanks in about 1985 according toa family member of the original owner. Top half, roof, bonnet, tailgate all original paint. Absolutely straight and unblemished when looking down the flanks. Original black and silver peaked number plates.

Sills, (inner & outer) doors, wings, front floors, rear floors, under seat, tailgate/ loading floor, spare where 100% original and perfect. Tailgate door, bottom & frame, 100% original and perfect. Bottom corners of tailgate window aperture, very small surface scabs under the rubber, (treated with Wurther HHS 2000 high adhesive penetrating oil, (used very extensively on the car due to it’s excellent penetrating adhesive sealant and moisture repellent properties).

Engine bay, inner wings, joints to outer wing, bulkhead 100% original and perfect. Very bottom of rear wheel arches where original MC mudflaps fitted, showing slight deterioration but coated with Wurther 2000.

Engine, gearbox & running gear all excellent. Extensive replacement of appropriate parts at recommissioning, brake cylinders, hoses, tyres, engine mounts replaced, various other numerous parts, as required, all documented since recommissioning.

Interior, overall excellent original & completely untouched. Seats fine, no tears or damage. Rear seat back section has glue marks showing through. Dashboard area mint had never had a radio fitted. Wiring perfect untouched and neatly tucked away. No ancillary switches or dials fitted. Carpets original, showing some wear to foot area. Original Dunlop/ BMC rubber mats. Sun visors & headlining all perfect. Load area is complete, fine and undamaged. Tool kit complete. General patina of such an original car left as is, where possible".

The photos show its current condition. It has the same patina described in the earlier email from the third owner. There are some paint imperfections, spider marks and blemishes, along with a few rust blisters that I have repaired and touched in, mostly to the lower front valance. For me they don’t detract from the overall appearance of the car and are seen as part of its character.

The next owner could choose to take it to the next level, but the history shows that most owners have preferred to preserve rather than restore.

With correct storage there is no reason why the car shouldn’t remain in its current condition for the future. If to be used regularly it would benefit from a tune up, but it starts, drives and stops with no issues. Brake pedal is a little stiff.

All paperwork will be provided with the including past MOT’s invoices for work, (mostly from 2000-2010), original green logbook and BMIHT Certificate.

It has two sets of keys including the original dealer supplied keys & leather fob.

Also supplied with handbook & manuals.

Viewing highly recommended South Wales area by arrangement.

An opportunity to own probably the lowest mileage, mostly original Austin 1100 Countryman known.

Not to be missed. Ask for Chris.