We stock an incredibly large range of rubber seals and trims for classic cars, and love being part of the process helping restore these vehicles back to their former glory. Back in May 2019 we were visited by a customer looking for several seals for their Austin A70. Although the vehicle was in pristine condition, the door and boot seals had seen better days.
The Austin A70 was produced by the British Motor Corporation from 1948 to 1954 and is a notable example of post-war British automotive engineering. Initially launched as the Hampshire, the A70 was later rebranded as the Hereford in 1950. It is powered by a robust 2.2-litre four-cylinder engine that offered a respectable performance for its time. The A70 featured a spacious interior and advanced suspension which provided a smooth and comfortable ride. It was available in various body styles, including saloon, estate and pickup so appealed to both families and businesses. The A70 played a significant role in the post-war automotive market, bridging the gap between pre-war and modern car designs.
Britain-to-the-Cape Record
In 1949, this Austin A70 achieved a remarkable feat by breaking the Britain-to-the-Cape record. This is an endurance test that runs from Dover to Cape Town in South Africa. The journey covers approximately 10,300 miles traversing diverse and often challenging terrains across Europe and Africa. The record-breaking expedition was undertaken by Ralph Sleigh and Peter Jopling, who aimed to demonstrate the reliability and durability of the Austin A70 in extreme conditions. The cars robust 2.2-litre engine and advanced engineering proved up to the task, handling everything from the smooth European highways to the rugged African landscapes.
The journey completed in just 24 days, 2 hours and 50 minutes later, showcased the A70's exceptional performance and solidified its reputation as a dependable and versatile vehicle. Driven nearly 450 miles per day, this achievement not only highlighted the technological advancements of the Austin A70 but also captured public imagination symbolising post-war innovation and endurance. The successful completion of this record-breaking run underscored the A70's capability and contributed significantly to its commercial success, cementing its place in automotive history as a car that could conquer both everyday roads and extraordinary challenges.
Replacing the Rubber Seals on an Austin A70
As with most classic cars restorations, the rubber seals have usually deteriorated and identifying the best replacement section can be a difficult process. This Austin A70 was certainly not an exception to this rule. The current door and boot seals had started to breakdown and crumble so were not keeping the vehicle watertight.
Most classic vehicles manufactured around this era are fitted with sponge profiles that push into an aluminium track. This holds the section firmly in place when the door or boot is closed. We were able to supply the owner of this vehicle with a replacement rubber seal that adequately filled the gap between the door/boot and bodywork. This was one of the final steps involved in this vehicles restoration.
We stock an extensive range of Automotive Seals & Trims, such as Automotive Sponge Rubber Seals supplied for this Austin A70. We also supply a large range of Boot Seals and Door Seals commonly found on other classic and vintage cars. Please contact our technical team if you would like help identifying a replacement rubber seal for your vehicle. We recommend sending us a photograph of the end profile of your current seal so that we can see the cross dimensional shape and help you identify a suitable replacement.
