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+--- Thread: "American" Opal on eBay (/showthread.php?tid=3360)
"American" Opal on eBay - Tony Griffiths - 30-09-2019
What does anyone make of this? "Austin Open 1936 manufactured in the USA"
According to the owner, he made an offer for it fifteen years before the owner in the USA (Ray Carr) finally rang him to confirm the sale. Apparently one of two known (?), partially restored in the USA with the wrong screen and hood - and obviously UK built.
RE: "American" Opal on eBay - Ruairidh Dunford - 30-09-2019
Looks to have many features of a standard export Two Seater (not an Opal) - with a few of the usual deviations from originality.
Single seat is correct but the upholstery is not.
It should have aluminium spacers between the hubs and the wheels and also between the chassis and front spring.
Windscreen should be vertical.
RE: "American" Opal on eBay - David.H - 30-09-2019
According to DVLA 992 UYE is an Austin 1931 two seater 747cc Taxed.
So someone's date is wrong! Possibly originally sent to Canada?
Chassis etc numbers might reveal all
RE: "American" Opal on eBay - Peter Naulls - 01-10-2019
I agree with David, Canada is more likely. A significant number of British made Rubies, "Opals" and Pearls were sold through Canadian dealerships. It don't think it would have been built in the USA.
Peter.
RE: "American" Opal on eBay - Tony Griffiths - 01-10-2019
The seller, though enthusiastic, appears to knows little of the intricacies of Austin Seven models and his idea that it's a USA-built car is, of course, incorrect. As Ruairidh points out, it's a LHD export model - but with the original screen and canvas hood known to have replaced by the last USA-based owner. Still, an interesting and unusual survivor. I believe that by the time it landed in the UK, it stood the owner at around £8000 duty, taxes and registration palava included.
RE: "American" Opal on eBay - Tony Griffiths - 02-10-2019
Three additional pictures to those on ebay: