The short answer to that question is, “We’re not entirely sure!”
This 1954 Austin A30 recently came up for sale at Anglia Car Auctions. The story behind it is great; “owned and used by three female generations of the same Norfolk family – grandmother, mother and daughter – since it was new”, it was then laid up in the 1970’s and plans to restore it never materialised. All of this sounds quite normal for barn find cars – we hear it all the time.
Having seen the photos of this particular A30 in its resting place, we viewed the car at the auction house and that was that; we had to have a bid! Truth be known, we bid too much for the car, but that’s because we love a back-story and are far too sentimental when it comes to barn find cars.
The A30 was recently delivered by our trusted friends at N G vehicle Logistics and now sits under one of our own barns.
We haven’t inspected the car in detail yet, but it rolls freely, appears solid and the tyres even hold air…if only for a few days. That, in itself, is amazing.
We posted a few photos to the UK Barn Finds Facebook page, Instagram account, etc. and it was apparent straight away that the baby Austin struck a chord with other people. Immediately, the photos were pinched and used on other pages (one of the ‘joys’ of the internet, it seems!), but we also received quite a few comments on our own social media channels; What are your plans for the car? Is it for sale? And so on.
Firstly, no, it’s not for sale. We’ll keep this one for a while. Secondly, honestly, we’re not 100% sure of our plans!
The car will feature on UK Barn Finds YouTube channel soon, we know that much. In fact, it has already been filmed in a ‘guest appearance’ role.
And, yes, the car will be washed. That’s a video in itself, so please keep your eyes open for that one!
After that, we’ll be asking for suggestions. We think we’ll use this as a display car at shows. It’s possible that we may get it running, but there’s very little chance it will be restored.
We will be guided, to a certain degree, by our YouTube subscribers. If you haven’t already subscribed to us over there, please do so today by visiting https://www.youtube.com/@ukbarnfinds and let us know in the comments section when the Austin A30 videos appear. Everyone will have a different view, I’m sure, but we like to listen to all opinions and see where we go from there.
We’ve spotted various bits of paperwork, stickers and other pieces of interest inside the car that we’ll show in a YouTube video, but there’s one thing that still remains a mystery; the boot is locked and we don’t know what’s inside!
We have no keys, so opening it in a way that doesn’t damage the car will be a challenge that we’re looking forward to.
Will there be anything in the boot? Possibly not, but who knows? You’ll find out soon, if you follow UK Barn Finds on YouTube!
Stay updated with the latest barn finds, auction news, and classic car adventures in our 'News & Waffle' section. Dive into rare discoveries, behind-the-scenes stories, and expert insights into the world of classic cars. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or simply intrigued by the tales behind these treasures, this is your hub for all things classic and captivating.
View All
A 45-year barn find is unusual enough. A 45-year barn find Skoda Octavia estate is something else entirely. Heading to Cheffins’ next Vintage Sale on 18th July is this remarkably original-looking 1970 Skoda Octavia estate, a car that has reportedly spent the last four and a half decades tucked away inside a barn. For many […]
Some cars spend decades trying to shake off an unfair reputation. The Austin Allegro might just be the king of them all. This 1975 Austin Allegro 1500 Special crossed the block at Anglia Car Auctions during its April 2026 classic car sale, proving once again that the market for once-overlooked British classics is alive and […]
A Triumph Stag selling at auction isn’t normally headline news. A Triumph Stag nearly doubling its estimate certainly is. This handsome 1974 Triumph Stag Auto crossed the block at Anglia Car Auctions in April carrying a guide price of £5,500-£6,500. By the time the auctioneer finally brought the hammer down, it had produced one of [&...
