Lot Ended
Description
Few owners; much recent expenditure with many new parts; twin-carb
head; TR6 wheels; five new tyres; in regular use and driven 50 miles to the
sale; a rare survivor, ready for work or play
Launched in
1957, the Austin Half-Ton Van was based on the A55 Cambridge saloon and remained
in production for over 15 years as part of BMC’s light commercial vehicle
range.
When the A55 gave way to the A60 in 1961,
the 55bhp 1.5 B-Series engine was replaced by the 61bhp 1.6 B-Series from the
MGA and the van followed suit, although unlike the sleek, sharp-finned
Pininfarina styling of the A60 saloon, the commercial retained the rounder,
earlier front-end design of the preceding A55.
Power was fed to the rear wheels through a column-change four-speed
manual gearbox providing reliable torque suitable for hauling 10cwt of cargo.
Popular with tradesmen, small businesses, the Royal Mail and public utility
fleets, the Half-Ton Van remained in production until 1973, outliving the saloon
variant by two years.
Because most examples led
hard lives as everyday utility vehicles, the survival rate is much lower than it
is for the saloon versions, with good ones being highly sought-after
today.
First registered in Herefordshire in
February 1972, this A60 Van has had six owners to date, our vendor acquiring it
back in 2023 from another local gent who had owned it for five years.
Shortly after buying the van, he went right
through it to make it a reliable daily driver, invoices showing that various new
parts were fitted, the main points highlighted in a list helpfully provided by
the vendor (see photos).
This included a full
overhaul of the brakes and the steering; fitment of a twin-carb head; a thorough
service; new head gasket; new fuel pump; new exhaust; Powerspark Sports
oil-filled ignition coil; halogen headlights; new inertia reel seat belts plus
various other items. A set of TR6 wheels were also fitted (including the spare),
shod with a new set of Davanti tyres – the original wheels are included and are
stored in the fully-carpeted load bay.
In regular
use since, we are told that it has covered some 3,500 miles over the last three
years, always proving reliable and driving well. Driven some 50 miles to the
auction on a baking hot day without drama, it has been starting promptly and
running well as we have moved it around on site.
A period driver’s handbook is included, along with a detailed factory
workshop manual to assist in keeping it in tip-top running order for many more
years to come.
As you can see in the photos, this
mildly hotted-up van is no show pony cosmetically with somewhat
patchy paintwork (as befits a working commercial), but it is fighting fit
mechanically and looks reassuringly solid, both above and below. An ideal
classic workhorse or publicity vehicle for any small business, it is ready
for a new owner to drive away today.
Consigned by James Dennison – 07970 309907 – james.dennison@brightwells.com