This is my debut post for V.I.S.I.T; a series best left to the Hooniverse A-Team who keep it nourished with offbeat oddities and curious conveyances with consummate ease. For me, well, in this neck of the woods it’s a struggle to find much that isn’t miserably mundane.

Until this weekend. The sun came out for the second time so far this year, and my much better half and I seized the opportunity for a nice walk around the Colne Estuary where, much to my surprise, there were two VISITable vehicles vying for my attention. I’ll save the second for a later day, but the first manages to combine two of my greatest interests- cars and beer. Two commodities that one is best off enjoying independently of each other.

Found parked next to the hostelry it belongs to, it is obviously driven on a regular basis and the (free-of-charge due to being first registered before 1959) road tax disc has literally expired a week ago. The cute little mite would have been built somewhere between 1954 and 1956.

Power wise, well, “power” is probably an exaggeration. The 803cc engine, though, could have been seen as Genesis for Mini enthusiasts, though, forming as it did the basis for the unit that Issigonis’ masterpiece would be powered by for forty-one years.

There was quite a cottage industry for the tuning-up of this venerable engine, and the A30 could be made to move along at a surprising lick; it competed in Saloon Car racing events of the time, albeit not in beast-of-burden Countryman trim like this example.

This little device has exactly the patina that such an old stager richly deserves, with some DIY added front cooling ducts either side of the front grille.  Sadly, despite its best efforts the little Austin failed to convince me to patronise the establishment advertised on its rump; a foray inside revealed the bar to be well stocked and the menu appealing, but lacking in the Burger and Chips for up to £6 that I craved.

I took my trade to a nearby cafe instead, but shall return to the Anchor when I’m not feeling so brassic.