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[alpder]

Austin Countryman woody. 848cc. Matching numbers, matching dates. Has been off the road for a remarkable 50 years. Two recorded keepers in buff logbooks. No other owners recorded since it was taken off the road. Mainland UK.

 

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All the tinwork has been professionally done by the previous owner who was a garage owner and classics enthusiast, but gave up all his cars due to illness. I counted £4600-worth of new panels in the shell, which remains in primer, with seams still unsealed, so the work can be fully inspected.

 

I have stripped both subframes, cleaned, powder-coated, and rebuilt them from the last nut and ball-bearing upwards.

 

I've fitted a new ash frame (from Woodies of Arundel - not some cheap and nasty copy). All new window runners, front and back. New windscreen rubber. New rear door glass rubbers. Four new door seals (unfitted).

 

Five powder-coated wheels and new tyres. A NOS pea-shooter exhaust. New tank and fuel line. New brake pipes and flexies. Rebuilt the (original) rack.

 

As far as I can tell every mechanical part on the car, bar the rear subframe itself, h/b cable, shocks, and rear backplates, is what came from the factory. All the dates I've found so far, except some glass, match.

 

Much of the interior - including the original headlining - is salvable, but the seat covers are very poor and carpet is gone.

 

The car is presently complete but needs paint, engine doing, and final assembly. I haven't touched the engine - was planning on rebuilding it while the car was away for paint.

 

So this is a lovely tinwork-free project for someone who wants to rebuild their own car from the ground up but doesn't fancy discing-out rust, welding patches, and finding ever-more holes as they go.

 

I'm thinking of giving this one up because I already have a Mk2 Woody and, while I love the originality of this Mk1, I now fancy doing a Morris Minor van/microcamper project instead. But depends on £££s.

 

I have a Heritage Certificate. Plus some extras available which may help it to sell:

 

A good 1100 engine, plus a pair of twin-leading-shoe front backplates (off my Mk2) would allow a discrete power upgrade, if anyone wants to go down that route. Be a shame to split a matching-numbers car but I guess it'd be reversible. There's also another 848 with block/crank/head which might be useful for spares.

 

And, finally, it's on a trailer, specifically built for a Mini and itself worth about £300. So buyer can just hitch and go. After the small matter of handing over some £££s But how many?

Edited by alpder, 13 April 2025 - 04:59 PM.

[beardylondon]

Well working back from a finished valuation of £20k, there’s a green one on car and classic at dealer at the mo. That’s a ballpark, as who knows how good that vehicle is and it probably won’t sell for that, combined with a tricky market at the moment.

My guesstimates of what’s left are perhaps £3k in paint (based on someone else’s estimate on here late last year), then £1.5-£2k on engine rebuild, depending on many factors, and a budget of £3-4k for everything else to finish, it easily adds up.

So based on that, in my humble opinion it’s worth £6-8k to the right person.

You didnt mention if it has a current V5C, presume so?