James Hunt’s Austin A35 – classic sleeper…

Cars People

Died in the wool fans of the legend that is James Hunt may recognise this little beauty. Yes, it’s the great man’s 1967 Austin 35 Countryman conversion.

For sale at Silverstone Auctions’ 23 July event, the car has been in storage for 18 years since its current owner acquired it in 1993, when it still had the champion driver’s last cigarette butts in the ashtray and a sprinkling of Trill in the rear where he transported his beloved budgerigars to shows.

Still used by Hunt as his daily transport at the time of his death in 1993, James loved this car – and many a biographer has documented his on-the-limit exploits in this unassuming little pocket-rocket.

According to the auctioneers the car starts and runs, but would likely need some mechanical attention before being put back on the road, and a “well-worn interior bears testament to its bird-loving owner”.

The lucky purchaser with get a registration document in James’ name as well as a bunch of receipts for work carried out to the car during James’s ownership, plus books and magazines making reference to both James Hunt and his A35.

The Austin A35 van joins Hunt’s ‘other’ car, his 1975 Dutch Grand Prix-winning Formula One Hesketh 308/2, also for sale.

This is a slice of F! of history – as well as a great bird-puller.

 

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