Australian Austin barnfind

thanks peter , yes i do know the gents that you mention...though you may be unaware that jim bruce is no longer alive. but I see malcom often. he has done a fine "old number 1" Morris Kimber replica.
I will mention your contact next time I see him..
yes I also love unrestored cars they have a quality and attraction that can never be replaced once gone
Cheers Ross

Ross, delighted you are gong to give Fluid Film a try as you will be amazed at the results. Do not apply red lead and gloss paint as you will end up with a disaster on your hands.

With Fluid Film, the water just runs off the lanolin without the appearance being greatly changed. n the rally field, or jus around town, people flock to ask me about my 1925 OEC which looks completely unrestored,

By the way, I was in Canberra from late 1992 to late 1994, and knew many Canberra enthusiasts including notably Jim Bruce and Malcolm Noad, whose 1914 Morris I took 400 miles to get it shipped out there last year. I also know Dick Stubbs well...

Interestingly, rust will only happen and continue if the metal that is rusting remains in contact with the air, which contains oxygen that is the cause of rust! (As does water!).
Back in the good old 60's there was a product called 'Red Lead' paint. If this was applied, plus a suitable (compatible) GLOSS paint, then all the rusting would be contained for a very long time. I say gloss paint because most matt and other finishes (including most primers) are NOT water-proof. So beware if you are trying to achieve that very-worn, matt, finish beloved of those who wish their car to look as if it has just come out of a long hibernation! Oh yes, I know that varnishing helps.
In the case of this car (The Austin 12) I think that some painting is required.
By the way, as a point of interest, the style of body looks later than the 1927 date for the car. More information perhaps. It is nice anyway and good that it is to be saved at last.

Regards, Peter

I will buy some fluid film and give it a go. I now have a few of these Austin 12s It will be easy to get it running beautifully without changing the look. I am glad so many of you like the idea of keeping close to the way it looks now... it is a gift that only time can give and a shame to take that away.

Best thing to do is get it running and enjoy it now.
Decide later after you have had some fun with it if anything needs restoring.
Somebody once said that things are only unrestored once.
Enjoy your car
Best Wishes
Chris

Crucial word missing from my earlier comment is 'without restoration' not with restoration!

Check out the web story about the recommissioning of my 1925 OEC Blackburne at

It is much admired wherever it goes, and it goes rather well compared to many finely restored machines.

I always recommend dropping the engine oil pan and making sure spiffy clean.

As to cruddy brightwork, I have been experimenting with acidic wire wheel cleaner - just make sure to neutralize well. Seems to clean nickel and chrome were polishing it would damage as it is so fragile – you would think it the opposite.

As a seasoned exponent of recommissioning rusty wrecks with restoration, the product you need is called 'Fluid Film'. Made in the US but I am sure available worldwide, it contains lanolin and will protect bare metal from further rust, and protect and shine anything with traces of original finish. I cannot recommend it highly enough. Go check it out.
If, after getting it back running with this treatment, you can then 'restore' or whatever as you wish, but you have lost nothing and possibly gained a lot, as you will discover when you take to an event..! It will get more attention than all the shiny cars, to their owners' intense frustration!!

"Iy all adds to the provenance"
Restore SPARINGLY !
Stuart

I agree with Harit -gently restore and paint.

Barn find, not roadworthy find. A halfway house of a restoration; cellulose paint which is such a soft finish,treat/stitch/patch the old leather,nickle or chrome very sparingly,clean,don't polish the aluminium,and you will have the best of both worlds.The road springs even have their original medium between the leaves. Fabulous.

Congratulations!!!
Must not restore it just preserve it and open it up once to clean everything with detail. Replace all the rubber parts, make sure all corners are treated to avoid future rust and drive it as is...
What makes the car unique is it's story which it can tell by it self if preserved but if restored it will tell a different story which is not as deep and interesting..

Oily rag, without doubt!

It is very clear to me. Restore to preserve. Without paint rust will set in. And the car will look like a caricature. Just my opinion.