Subject: Re: Cars, year one, no commuting
You should have seen the problems I had getting parts for our Austin America.

It was a great car, made in England for the US market. But a few years after we bought it they stopped selling them here.

One of the U-joints failed and it took many weeks to get a new one. Had to order it though a Jaguar dealer in Chicago. The only place we could get it from.

The brake master cylinder half-failed. Great design, dual independent brake system, left front/right-rear and right front/left rear. An internal cotter pin broke on one side. No replacement master cylinders available in the entire world.

The engine & carb was likewise great. That engine ran for more than 20,000 miles with 4 PSI oil pressure. 4!!!

We eventually sold it with a rusted out floor to a neighbor for $100. When it rained the kids in the back seat got their shoes wet. I had nightmares about one of them stomping on the floor and braking through and falling into the road.
He riveted some sheet metal over the floorboard and continued to drive it.