Am I nuts? Could this be done??

Firstly, I want to say I'm a complete novice on mechanics.

I'd like to take on what I consider to be a great project if it's at all possible.

I've seen an Austin Sheerline pick up. It's 1951, and I can visualise an amazing vehicle.

The trouble is, parts! And the fact that I want this to end up as a usable daily vehicle.

In a nutshell, how difficult would it be to swap over the guts of a disco to be the running gear for this vehicle?

I know this is a tall order to answer, but a basic run down of fors and againsts from experts would help me decide whether this would be too much (I'd ibviously be employing people to help). And if do it over a long period of time.

Thanks for reading and your advice would be appreciated.

Terry

ya nuts , dunno if it can be done, but then again anything can be done with deep pockets.

'course it can be done, given time, money and effort! I suspect, being so old, that the Austin has a separate body and chassis, so effectively that just means a body swap ... simple really ...

The issue comes if you find, say, the bodywork is wider/longer etc and you have to decide where and how to cut and shut each piece and how well it needs finishing. As it'll have to be a ground-up build it rally ought to be a case of lengthening/shortening most parts and making or getting made relevant wiring, hoses, pipes etc etc. Sounds fun anyway ...

"I suspect, being so old, that the Austin has a separate body and chassis, so effectively that just means a body swap ... simple really ... ".
Just to clarify that would mean that all of the Austin body would go onto a disco chassis... Is that the most straightforward way? How then would the car be registered? As a modified Landy or modified Austin?

ProjectX said:

Firstly, I want to say I'm a complete novice on mechanics.

I'd like to take on what I consider to be a great project if it's at all possible.

I've seen an Austin Sheerline pick up. It's 1951, and I can visualise an amazing vehicle.

The trouble is, parts! And the fact that I want this to end up as a usable daily vehicle.

In a nutshell, how difficult would it be to swap over the guts of a disco to be the running gear for this vehicle?

I know this is a tall order to answer, but a basic run down of fors and againsts from experts would help me decide whether this would be too much (I'd ibviously be employing people to help). And if do it over a long period of time.

Thanks for reading and your advice would be appreciated.

Terry

Click to expand...

'An Austin Sheerline pick up'
They never made a pick-up, only a saloon or a limousine (mainly used for funereal work) ....

So your pick up is probably made from the limo with the roof removed and a flat bed installed

Make sure you get an engineering report if you're not happy with checking body modifications and any fabrications ...
That said they are quite rare now ...

Interesting project/idea! But be careful or you could end up with something that looks like belonged on the set of Mad Max Fury Road!
Mark

ProjectX said:

"I suspect, being so old, that the Austin has a separate body and chassis, so effectively that just means a body swap ... simple really ... ".
Just to clarify that would mean that all of the Austin body would go onto a disco chassis... Is that the most straightforward way? How then would the car be registered? As a modified Landy or modified Austin?

Click to expand...

Not a clue, I'm talking purely from a practical point of view ... I have no real clue other than that's how it was done long ago, whether the Austin has a separate body and chassis, I thought you'd know.

If you're really asking questions like this, frankly I'd just buy a Toyota pickup.

Thanks Paul D, but as good aas they are (although not as good as a Landy). Toyotas are common as shixte and I like the idea of something a bit different.

If anybody knows if the body is easily lift able off on this Austin, I'd be grateful to know.

Likewise, further ideas on how to modify it to have a more modern mechanical setup would be appreciated.

Mark

I know a fair amount about Sheerlines and Princesses - [used to get a lift to the dole in one] Main advice is DON'T! It'll be a huge amount of work and everything you do WILL devalue it................. Is it complete? Is the original conversion well done? Flat bed or pick up "body" If pickup body then almost certainly a cut down hearse............ The market in quirky classic cars is going up all the time - don't make this one less valuable............ If you are determined then consider a 4.2 Jag/autobox conversion - a mate of mine has done a couple for the funeral trade - give Danny a call at Wolsey House Motors....................... forget Disco Chassis swap etc. It would be all out of proportion and look cack.........................

I suspect it's one of these with the rear roof cut off,

https://www.bing.com/images/search?...f31c9d334fb223a5cfe1333d8098e5bbo0&ajaxhist=0

so looking at the wheelbase you'll be looking to either stretch an disco or a 130 maybe close to the right size.

But it really would be a shame to cut up a car like that.

What a great idea, I think also an A70 or an A40 pickup would look awsome as long as you take the time to lower the body to the correct height on the chassis and not just drop it on top and make some brackets.