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Author Topic: An Augusta Story  (Read 85319 times)
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the.cern
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« on: 15 December, 2014, 06:04:36 PM »

Sorry about the thread title, just being consistent!!!

So, now for something completely different ....

I bought my Gussie, YS 1935 in 1971 and thought a couple of years would see things sufficiently advanced to get her on the road. I am guessing you are already thinking, 'not a chance' and of course you are absolutely right.

The problem this time, at least initially, was not arrival of children with its associated departure of funds, but resulted from my joining the LMC. It goes like this, buy an old Lancia, join The Lancia Motor Club ........... and then realise that life is meaningless without at least another couple of different Lancias!! So it was that I bought the B20. Before I could make my life meaningful with a driveway full of Lancias, the house began to fill up with noisy, occasionally smelly and always expensive little people and so the two cars were consigned to ignominy in the garage. Fast forward 20 years and the little people were not so small, were even noisier and a damn sight more expensive!!  That is when the first Beta arrived, written off in an early hours of the morning. I have three sons all of whom were in the car and all of whom were asleep, this included the driver, travelling at 70mph. Truly a miracle that all three survived unscathed. Another Beta, an HPE, a Trevi and four Y10s later all four offspring had flown the nest.

So, retirement and Jim arrived at about the same time, The Gussie was unearthed and hauled off to the workshop. There, the somewhat extensive rot in the rear half of the car was repaired, all four wings repaired and two running boards made. Then came the fabrication, from scratch, of a completely new boot, a real work of art. Then, with Jim on a roll I decided the Gussie could be put into storage in the garage whilst the little repair work on the B20 was carried out. I think we are at about 4 years and counting for that little repair work!!

Anyway, it is now the turn of the B20 to go into storage until the spring when it will be sent off for its new paint. Swap the cars time is here again, so it was out of the garage with the Appia, slide the Gussie across on dollies and push it out into the sun on the drive. Into the garage with the Appia, slide it, on dollies out of the way  and winch the Gussie back into the garage. The winch is required as the drive is on a slope and Jim is too old to push ...... as am I !!!!! All I have to do now is arrange the transporter and it should be a simple(Huh??) swap.  Garage to workshop is less than a mile so it should be easy .... time will tell. Please note the use of 'should' rather than 'will'!!!

The Gussie's wings, running boards and the radiator have been removed and I have started cleaning things up in eager anticipation ...

This is how it looks at the moment ...

                            Andy



* photo (83).JPG (490.68 KB, 1296x968 - viewed 534 times.)
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DavidLaver
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« Reply #1 on: 15 December, 2014, 08:08:29 PM »


What I love about your project history is that you still have them and are still pleased to have them.  Gives me hope.

The photo was on its side for me.  Hopefully the one attached below is the right way up.  Am looking forward to this one.  Any "little jobs" to be getting on with or Jim keeping you busy with Aurelia work?

David


* photo (83).JPG (490.68 KB, 1296x968 - viewed 480 times.)
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David Laver, Lewisham.
DavidLaver
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« Reply #2 on: 15 December, 2014, 08:09:34 PM »

Try again...


* photo (83)r1.jpg (317.2 KB, 1296x968 - viewed 503 times.)
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David Laver, Lewisham.
DavidLaver
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« Reply #3 on: 15 December, 2014, 08:10:26 PM »

This one?


* photo (83)r2.jpg (314.78 KB, 968x1296 - viewed 471 times.)
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David Laver, Lewisham.
DavidLaver
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« Reply #4 on: 15 December, 2014, 08:15:00 PM »


What tyres are those?  They look like Cinturatos.

http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/185vr16-pirelli-cinturato.html
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David Laver, Lewisham.
brian
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« Reply #5 on: 15 December, 2014, 09:34:50 PM »

Despite the pazz-zazz of my Flavia Sport, the restrained elegance of the B10 and the style of the Aprilia I still just love Augustas and seeing this one sans grill sans bonnet and glass still makes me smile and I feel a warm glow. They are so under-rated and charming. I could go on!!!!
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Brian Hands


1922 Hands Tourer
1934 Augusta standard saloon
1938 Aprilia S1 saloon
1953 Aurelia B10
1965 Flavia Sport
the.cern
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« Reply #6 on: 15 December, 2014, 10:45:27 PM »

Thank you David for getting the photograph the right way up, I do not have any idea why the 'on its side' happens.

Tyres, yes, Cinturatos. They were on the car when I bought it. It is astonishing that they still are able to hold pressure. I think Chugga will recommend that I buy new. I am inclined to agree!!!

Brian, you are another of numerous voices that have repeatedly sung the praises of the Augusta. I am hopeful that I will be able to keep some momentum with the restoration whilst keeping that of the B20 going, not forgetting the knock in the Appia.

                                                   Andy
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chugga boom
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« Reply #7 on: 16 December, 2014, 02:31:48 PM »

FANTASTIC !!!!! great to see another gussey underway , I hope I proved that on a welsh road an Augusta can more than "hold its own" and be a seriously fun car to own and drive , out of all our cars myself and dad both prefer the Augustas over any of the others , yes appia astura and fulvia are faster more comfortable and refined but they just don't give you the smile of an augusta , 
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1935 augusta lusso (chugga)
1935 belna saloon
1935 augusta lusso
1938 ardenne
1939 aprilia lusso
1958 appia s2
1963 appia s3 
195? appia camioncino
1972 fulvia 1600HF
1976 fulvia coupe
194? ardea SUV  "THE BEAST!!!"
DavidLaver
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« Reply #8 on: 16 December, 2014, 03:53:00 PM »

http://www.viva-lancia.com/snippet/snippet4.htm
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David Laver, Lewisham.
the.cern
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« Reply #9 on: 16 December, 2014, 09:49:10 PM »

James, I most certainly did enjoy our blast round the Welsh lanes and yes, I am still smiling as I recall it. Unbelievable that a pre-war car could hurtle along like that, let alone one with only a 1200cc engine.

David, thank you for that. I knew that Nuvolari was an afficionado, but was not aware of the others. As I said above, I really do need to make sure I keep the momentum going.

                                                 Andy
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ColinMarr
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« Reply #10 on: 16 December, 2014, 11:48:59 PM »

See photo of Nuvolari with his Augusta.

Colin


* Nuvolari 1933.jpg (199.25 KB, 1036x780 - viewed 457 times.)
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DavidLaver
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« Reply #11 on: 17 December, 2014, 03:12:59 PM »


It looks a big car in that photo - I think he must have been horse jockey size.  I was surprised with mine how similar to an Austin 7 in size but looking at the numbers it doesn't really come over that way. Just looked at 2012 Fiat Panda spec against the 1932 Augusta.  Both are 61ins high - 5ft 1in.

A Panda has roughly twice the power but carries an extra 200kg.  I wouldn't be at all surprised if an Augusta on radials would pull more lateral-G or pull up as quick.  Be an interesting test for a magazine like Octane or even Autocar.  I'd also love to see VSCC trials cars (even the standard saloons) tested against soft-roaders.

http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/?car=103037
http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/?car=265243

FIAT PANDA
Wheelbase              2300mm  90.6 ins 
Track/tread (front)  1409mm  55.5 ins
Track/tread (rear)   1407mm  55.4 ins
Length                   3653mm 143.8 ins
Width                     1643mm  64.7 ins
Height                    1551mm  61.1 ins
length:wheelbase ratio  1.59
Kerb weight  1035 kg 2282 lb 
fuel tank capacity  37 litres 8.1 UK Gal 9.8 US Gal

AUGUSTA
Wheelbase             2650mm 104.3 ins 
Track/tread (front) 1223mm   48.1 ins
Track/tread (rear)  1223mm   48.1 ins
Length                  4050mm 159.4 ins
Width                   1450mm   57.1 ins
Height                  1550mm   61   ins 
Ground clearance    170mm   6.7 ins
length:wheelbase ratio 1.53
Kerb weight 850 kg 1874 lb
fuel tank capacity 42 litres 9.2 UK Gal 11.1 US Gal
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David Laver, Lewisham.
the.cern
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« Reply #12 on: 11 January, 2015, 03:30:06 PM »

So, it was about four weeks ago that I wrote the opening post of this little thread.

Things have happened since then that may make 'keeping up the momentum' a little difficult, but I will do my best.

The photographs, hopefully attached and not on their side, show where we are at the moment. They say that while the cat is away the mice will play. Lynn only went out for a short while, but it was just long enough for me to improve the appearance of the lounge. She did not agree with the last part of that statement!!!!

The reason that all this metalwork is in the house is because both the garage and the workshop are too damp for bare metal. Typical relative humidity 85%. I want to do all the primer spraying in one go, no opportunity at present, so in the lounge they will stay.

I still have to do the B20/ Gussie swap, hopefully in the next week. I am allowed to have Jim round to play on the 24th and I  would like to have them in their new homes before then.

I will keep this up to date as and when there is something to report.

                                              Andy


* photo (4).JPG (515.17 KB, 1296x968 - viewed 460 times.)

* photo (16).JPG (595.53 KB, 1296x968 - viewed 463 times.)
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Parisien
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Posts: 4243



« Reply #13 on: 11 January, 2015, 04:47:07 PM »

Lovely........101% humidity over my way Andy, am sure if properly positioned they'd pass off as modern art!!!!


P
« Last Edit: 11 January, 2015, 06:18:26 PM by Parisien » Logged

Frank Gallagher
appiaman
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Posts: 143



« Reply #14 on: 13 January, 2015, 09:43:34 PM »

Metal bits looks really good, keep them dry I painted my black Appia 2 winters ago 4 panels got blistering on just not worth taking the risk
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Lancia lambda 8th series, Fulvia 1600 sport (1972)Fulvia1.6hf (1972), Lancia Flaminia gtl, Porsche boxter, Mini Cooper
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