1931 American Austin Restoration for Pebble Beach: Part 2 This is part two in a series of posts on this American Austin, Part One describing the history of the Austin and presents photos of the car before any restoration work. Part Three covers the restoration of the chassis and mechanical parts. Part Four begins covering the metal work part of the restoration and talks about starting the new floor construction. Part Five follows on the floor rebuild and presents photos of the tunnel damage and restoration. Part Six describes the finishing of the right-hand floor rebuild and restoration. We have the 1931 American Austin back from media blasting, the condition of the car was no surprise upon return. We were very lucky to have a donor chassis that the owners found to get us started on the restoration, without this the rebuild would have been very difficult. The next move was to build a simple square frame with a center line to set the chassis onto. After all the mechanical parts were stripped off the chassis, I mounted the chassis to the frame as shown in the pictures below. From there the cowl was separated from the body and mounted to the chassis frame. A few close up pictures show what poor state the car structurally is in. Photos of a 1931 American Austin prepping for restoration Donor chassis to aid rebuild of Austin Left hand side of Austin body after media blasting Right hand side of body after media blasting Austin chassis centred in the ‘Build Box’ Body situated on the chassis. You can see there is no structural support for the cowl. View from lower cowl Left hand rocker panel damaged from when the car rolled. Original crushed right hand rocker panel. Showing total floor decay. The cowl is now removed. Now the the rebuild is concentrated on the rear half of the car. Original floor weak and decayed. This is part two in a series of posts on this American Austin, Part One describing the history of the Austin and presents photos of the car before any restoration work. Part Three covers the restoration of the chassis and mechanical parts. Part Four begins covering the metal work part of the restoration and talks about starting the new floor construction. Part Five follows on the floor rebuild and presents photos of the tunnel damage and restoration. Part Six describes the finishing of the right-hand floor rebuild and restoration. For more information check out the automotive restoration services we provide at our workshop in Denver.
