It's really sad about the reputation of the America
I think the Austin America is one of THE most unversally hated cars in the United States. Combine their well earned reputation for breaking down permanently prior to 30,000mi, with their 1275cc solid wall engine block being highly sought after by the classic Mini community and you have the death of nearly 50,000 cars that were sold between March of '68 and early 1971. There are probably fewer than 100 still running in the US, and that's a stretch.
But regarding their reputation, I have never once heard of anyone who drove them with respect, maintained them correctly, or when they broke down, built them back to original spec. Nope, 100% of the people who bitch about what a POS they were/are, will in the same sentence tell a story like the one above. Usually a combination of, "We bought it new and drove the hell out of it and when it finally broke we junked it 3 years later." Or, "We bought it for $100, got it running by slapping it back together as half-assed as we could (of course they never admit that) and then flogged it for a short time until it broke and then we junked."
Their reputation is kinda sad, because when built correctly, they are as bulletproof and dependable as anything out there, especially in the vintage car world. My longest trip has been 15.5hrs non-stop (other than fuel) from here in southern California all the way to Olympia, Washington, arriving at 3am. Slept in the car until 6:30am, drove to a fellow 1100 owner's home where about 5 other 1100's met up and then we drove back south 100-something miles to Portland, Oregon to the All British Field Meet. Did the show all day the following day, and the next day, I drove home non-stop about 13hrs. Back when I was in college, I'd think nothing of leaving work at 10:30pm and driving 550mi back to my home town in northern California, arriving at about 7am. I'd leave a day later and drive home. When I was doing road rallies a few years ago, I would drive 320mi to get to the rally start point, stay in a hotel overnight, and the next morning start a 2 day rally. After the banquet on day 2, I'd drive the 320mi back home. When we were actively showing the car, starting when my daughter was 1mo old, we'd load the car with 2 dogs, my wife and I, a 10x10 EZ-up, cooler, luggage, infant in baby seat, lawn chairs, and all the display stuff for the show, and drive 200-300mi to each show, show the car and drive home in the same day. Our furthest show was 550mi away in Phoenix, AZ (although we didn't take pets or daughter to that one).
Needless to say, after 26 years of ownership, I've pretty much dispelled the reputation as being owner induced.
Chris, about your final drive......that is a fantastic gear ratio for the automatic!! Let's get your transmission working properly so you can enjoy the car this summer!
