1985 Austin Montego 2.0HLS - B756 XBW

[Ed]

Make & Model: Austin Montego 2.0HLS 85MY
Date of Registration: 25th April 1985
Supplying Dealer: Hartwells Of Oxford Ltd
Original Owner: Youngs Garages (Woodstock) Ltd
Colour: Clove Brown
Interior Trim: Caramel

Some of you may recognise this car from eBay recently. It appeared destined for scrap. In a moment of utter madness, I decided that "it must be saved!!" purely due to the fact that it is a ridiculously rare HLS model.

The car has been off the road since 1999, I am told due to a failing water pump and oil pump. I have yet to attempt to start the car. Updates on that will follow.

Body wise, the car is quite solid structurally, but is cosmetically challenged. There is superficial rust in most places. The only awkward repair areas that I have found so far, are behind the rear lights in the rear quarters. I have found evidence of rust and fibre glass filler here. Otherwise, if it can be made to run nicely, and the rest of the bodywork is relatively sound, it may prove a viable project.

It comes with no paperwork, no history, not even a set of keys! I am hoping to fill in some of the blanks as I go along...

Pics to follow...

[Ed]

Adding some initial pics of the Brown Beast!

[Guest]

Good to see you've well and truly fallen off the wagon again Ed

Mmm 80s-tastic!

[The Express Valeter]

Must admit I liked that when I saw it but the usual space & money thing. Surely being an HLS it should have the big soft front headrests? I know the early Maestro HLS had the A frames but not Montego.

[Ed]

Must admit I liked that when I saw it but the usual space & money thing. Surely being an HLS it should have the big soft front headrests? I know the early Maestro HLS had the A frames but not Montego.

Yep, it's got incorrect headrests in it. Goodness knows what happened to the originals. I am on the look out for a correct pair. Although not fancying my chances.

[E_T_V]

If you find a grotty old pair of soft headrests and get them re-trimmed in leather (or fabric) that is a close match, then that would probably the best you can do at the moment.

[TLC]

so when you selling the Countryman

[Ed]

so when you selling the Countryman

Never

[Simon]

When was the HLS registered? If it was before Oct 1984 then the trim would be Sandpiper. Mink was a post Oct 88 colour and you wouldn't be able to get the large D shaped head reatraints in Mink, therefore.

[Ed]

When was the HLS registered? If it was before Oct 1984 then the trim would be Sandpiper. Mink was a post Oct 88 colour and you wouldn't be able to get the large D shaped head reatraints in Mink, therefore.

It was registered in April 1985. Ah, I assumed Mink was the name from beginning to end. Perhaps this will help with my search. Thanks Simon.

[Captain Slow]

Then it's Caramel, Ed. Mink replaced Coffee Beige and was far lighter.

[Ed]

Then it's Caramel, Ed. Mink replaced Coffee Beige and was far lighter.

I'm confused...

[Austin-Rover]

Someone just go and look in the brochure!

[TLC]

But the Lady prefers Mink

[Simon]

At March 1985 then the interior would be the Caramel/Bitter Chocolate combination, as Sam rightly suggested. This is good news because there is more chance of getting a head restraint in the Caramel colour, as Maestros were also thus specified. You'll therefore be looking for a plain velvet one off a 1985-87 Maestro or Montego HL, HLS, Mayfair and VP (pre leather of course for the latter designation)! Coffee Beige replaced Caramel in 1987.