Though almost 60,000 were sold in the US, an Austin America in good cosmetic and driving condition might be as rare as some of the quirky production models we cover at Barn Finds. But here on eBay is this 1968 example, with a buy-it-now price of $5500. The car is located in New Milford, Connecticut, and if you’re accustomed to the foibles of British cars, you can probably drive it home. It’s worth asking, why did so few Austin Americas survive? We found out.
In the 1960s, Volkswagen Beetles were roving US roads by the hundreds of thousands. They might as well have had targets on their roofs, for all the manufacturers that took aim at the Beetle’s success. Britain sent us the Mini, but only 10,000 were sold here through 1967. Next up was the MG 1100, which tripled the sales of the Mini, but still didn’t make a dent in the popularity of the Beetle – nor did it fulfill BMC’s aspirations in the American market. Attempting to cater more precisely to our tastes meant more space, more horsepower, and an automatic transmission. The Austin America – shedding the MG badge to create distance from a poorly received product – was built with a 1275 cc four-cylinder engine and a four-speed automatic transaxle. The arrow missed the mark yet again: the larger engine provided only three or four more hp than the MG’s feeble 1098, and the automatic box shared the engine’s oil, causing catastrophe when neglectful drivers failed to top up. Meanwhile, underneath, the hydrolastic suspension was nearly unserviceable in the US. Many an Austin America was parked or junked when repairs were either too costly or impossible.
The seller notes that this car’s wipers and lights work; the windows move as they should; the tires are new; and the seals and glass are good. Someone has obviously executed a repaint. The interior front to back is in fine nick, and the cargo area is similarly tidy. We can laud the condition of this car, but performance might prove disappointing, with a top speed of barely 80 mph, miserable torque figures, and a zero to sixty time of almost 20 seconds.
The failure of the Austin America was the last straw for the brand in the US. While British Leyland kept a toe in the waters here – selling MGs, Triumphs, and Sterlings (Rover) – these marques too eventually ceded territory, mostly to Japanese competitors. Putting aside all the demerits of the model, this particular car might be the best example in the country; does that make it worth an offer?
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