Catch up with an Austin enthusiast

In late December 2020, Bruce Carter caught a call out in a FaceBook group for anyone with an Austin 1800 on the Redcliffe Penisula to cheer up an old bloke who was not doing well. Bruce posted a call out for help in the AMVCQ FaceBook group and organised with a few club members an impromptu run to meet up at Bunnings at Rothwell on 5 January 2021.

Stephen Cordiner had posted the request for his father, George, who unfortunately was not very well. George had owned several Austin 1800s over the years, being a British Leyland mechanic and Stephen knew that seeing another one and being able to talk about it with others would make his day.

I drove out in my Austin 1800, Andrew Todd came in his A30 countryman, Ken Carter in his A55 Cambridge and Bruce Carter in his open top Austin 8. Stephen and George arrived and were very please to see all the Austins. Ken and George had lots to talk about as they discovered that they had both worked at UK Motors, albeit at different time.

Whilst it was a very hot day, it was a pleasure to share our cars with someone who had such a history with them. Unfortunately, George was not up to a drive in the 1800, but you could tell that he’d had a wonderful time being able to see it and the other Austins again and being able to talk about them to other enthusiasts. A big thank you to Bruce Carter for catching the call out from Stephen and organising the get together. We all send our very best to George, Stephen and his family.

UPDATE: we have been advised of the sad news of George’s passing in late January 2021. We send our sincere condolences to Stephen and his family. It was a pleasure to be able to provide George with one last interaction with his beloved Austins.