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Sources of Further Information

General Reading

A selection of books and manuals covering the A30 and A35. Some are still in print, but many are now only available second-hand and supplies are limited.

Magazine

For the most recent news of spares, cars/items for sale, show information, technical articles and the adventures of Austin owners you need the two club magazines: Spotlight and Sidelights. These are delivered direct to your door as a member of the Owners' Club. There is also a comprehensive selection of nearly all newsletters, Spotlight and Sidelights magazines back to the 70's available in PDF format under the Members' Area of this website.

Accessible Classics - Austin A30 & A35

Kim Henson's book gives a detailed insight into the unique character, driving appeal and practicality of the A30 & A35 for use in real world conditions in the 21st Century, with a wealth of specific information covering purchasing, maintenance, specific MoT test requirements as they relate to the A30 & A35, rust proofing, using and enjoying the cars. Written from a practical point of view by someone with years of experience of ownership, and with assistance from other long-term enthusiasts, this book contains a great deal of fascinating information believed never to have been previously published.

For further details and to order visit Wheels-Alive! url

Super Profile

The Super Profile is by Kim Henson and provides an excellent source of original magazines road tests and historical information.

Baby Austins

Baby Austins by Barney Sharratt is a well sought after classic book and in demand when found.

Handbooks and Workshop Manuals

Handbook

This is the original Owners Handbook and contains instructions for those periodic maintenance tasks such as brakes, bodywork etc and of course the 'running in' requirements for your new A30 & A35. This handbook can still be found quite cheaply at auto jumbles and with dealers.

Spares Guide

This booklet is free to club members and contains a wealth of information about original features, restoration information, original specifications and chapters on the main areas of maintenance. Importantly there is a spares buying section listing those hard to find part numbers of original and modern replacement parts for when you are searching auto jumbles or dealers.

Workshop Manual

Workshop ManualThis is the original Workshop Manual produced by the manufacturer. Still available at auto jumbles, or on auction sites, it contains most of the information required by a skilled mechanic for Austin maintenance. Whilst later publications contain more 'how to' details and probably more accurate information on techniques it is still a must for the collector. It is still widely used and a common sight on any A30 & A35 owner's bookshelf or workbench. It is also available to download in PDF format from the Archive under the Members' area, which may also be useful if your manual has missing pages. Later editions are also available with the BMC Logo.

There is also a Parts Manual to complement this available and in a number of editions covering different models of the A30 and A35 range. The Owners' Club is also making these available to Members via the Archive area on the website.

Haynes Manual

The original Haynes manual builds on the Austin workshop manual. This manual provides a greater amount of detail than the Austin book, although there are some well known errors made by Haynes. The Haynes guide can be found easily and cheaply at most auto jumbles.

AutoBooks

"A30, A35, A40 FARINA" by Kenneth Ball. Owners Workshop Manual.

AutoBooksII An alternative, especially if you are planning to upgrade to Sprite/Midget specs, is the Autobook II manual covering the A30, A35, A40 Farina and Sprite/Midget models up to the 1275cc engine.

Other handbooks and workshop manuals (mostly out-of-print)

Cassell

The Cassell Book of the Austin A35.

Just covers the A35 although one picture is clearly an 803cc oil filter. Seems cover both the driver's handbook, and basic controls, but also basic maintenance.

Pitmans

Pitman's Motorist Library series: Austin A30 & A35.

Pitman's version of handbook covering the A30 & A35. Probably a previous versions to the one above. Although where 1951 comes from when the A30 was launched in 1952 is odd.

StatonAbbey

The Book of the Austin A30 and A35.

Car Care and Service Manual. Might be another version of the Pitman manual above which was written by same Author

AutoBooks

Austin A30 & A35 Driver-Owner Handbook.

Odhams handbook covering the A30 & A35. Probably a previous versions to the one above. Although where 1951 comes from when the A30 was launched in 1952 is odd.

AutoBooks

Austin A30 & A35 Motor Manual.

Olyslager handbook covering the A30 & A35. Possibly more a glovebook handbook. Probably a previous versions to the one above. Although where 1951 comes from when the A30 was launched in 1952 is odd.

AutoBooks

Austin A30, A35, A40 1951-1957 Autobook. Workshop Manual.

Autobook workshop manual covering the A30, A35, & A40 Farina. Probably a previous versions to the one above. Although where 1951 comes from when the A30 was launched in 1952 is odd.

Haynes

Austin A35 and A40 Workshop Manual. 948 and 1098cc engines.

Earlier Haynes workshop manual covering just the A35 & A40 Farina. Autobook workshop manual covering the A30, A35, & A40 Farina.


For the "modders" amongst us

Spridget High Performance

David Stapleton's Midget and Sprite High Performance manual may be useful if you are planning to upgrade to Spridget specs. Many of the ideas could be of interest to A30 and A35 owners as the running gear is similar. This is on offer to Members from the publishers (see Members' Features)

D Vizard

David Vizard's "bible" for A-Series Tuners. The 3rd edition is the latest and most up-to-date. For some it may be too technical but discusses a number of ways to get more performance, without sacrificing reliability, from the trusty A-Series.

SU

SpeedSport book with Cars and Car Conversions.

Overview of how SU carbs work, needle selection and tuning advise. Available as a PDF from some internet sites.

The A-Series Engine: It's First Sixty Years. Graham Robson. A history of the A-Series engine.


If you know of any further useful Austin A30 or A35 related books, please let me know. A picture of the cover and a brief synopsis would be useful. Also if you own any of the above and can improve on the basic descriptions, also forward this to the WebEditor. Thank you!

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