AUSTIN A30 & A35 COMMERCIALS
I will admit to a strong affection for the A35 van – I had one as my very first car, back in 1977. 484KOG was a 1963 example – so 1098cc – in Spruce Green. I owned it for just one year and it was scrapped not long after I sold it. Sadly, I have no photographs as I had no interest in photography then or any inkling that I’d spend pretty-much my entire working life in a profession where such things might be useful, but as most people do, I recall my first car with great affection.
The A35 was chosen for several reasons. Obviously low running costs were a consideration, and a van was useful as I was already doing a bit of ‘dealing.’ The primary consideration, however, was that it was cheap – bought via a shop-window postcard advertisement for £50 in running order and a long MoT, but sills that were unlikely to pass another, as the test had been upgraded in 1977 and the rules on structural corrosion and acceptable repairs to same tightened significantly.
Needless to say, the days when any A35 van could be bought for £500, let alone £50, have now gone for good. As has always been the case however, A35 vans are still slightly cheaper than Minors
