Please put me down for one as we'll. Thanks.

I would also be interested in having one. I think that makes 5 (maybe 6) so far.

David

....and another one, subject to price, for my brother!

Location: Herefordshire, with an E not a T

Gentlemen,
Firstly I must thank you for the interest shown in the 'The Dependable Austin' sign flagged up by Ian Moorcraft.
I have now contacted the company which made these for me back in 2008 and they are more than willing to produce another small batch.
However, I have been advised that they have 'lost' the fabrication drawings required to ensure accurate size and colour reproduction, which means that somehow I will need to find either an 'Original' sign or one of those produced back in 2008.
The other drawback is that the price will see an increase from £120 to more nearer £150 (plus p&p).
I would therefore be most grateful if, in spite of these hickups, you are still interested in ordering one, to advise me accordingly so that I can go ahead with placing an order. I would say that this may be the last opportunity of obtaining one of these iconic signs.
You may contact me via e-mail (See The Vintage Austin Register's website) or just post a message on here for me to pick up. I will still require at least 8 firm orders before I can proceed.

Location: The tropical Island of Sheppey

Sorry James, £150 + p&p is beyond my limit. Please count me out.

Ian Mc.

Location: Shropshire

Hello James, I'm happy to stay on the list. Some years ago I saw one of these signs sold at the Beaulieu autojumble and the cost was well into four figures!
Regards from the creative county
Stuart

Location: Staffordshire

I'd still like one.

I've only just seen this so assuming the ~£150 includes VAT then count me in.


Phil

Location: On top of the Chilterns

Location: Cumbria

Hi James,

I am still in if they will be the same as the originals. You can put me down for two if it helps make the numbers up.

Dave

That’s great news James, keep me on the list for one, can’t wait!. All the best Ian Moorcraft.

Ps.If the Vintage Austin Register sends a rep to the Association meetings, might be a good place to pick up or give to other clubs reps for their member to pick up from a club meeting, just a thought as it would save on postage and save you packing them.

Location: Bristol

I would still like one please. Thanks.

I will still take one at that price

Location: Fife

Gentlemen,

You will be pleased to know that I have placed an order today for a small batch of these signs with the company which, as far as I know, made them originally back in the 1920's for the Austin Motor Company.
The method employed in their manufacture is largely done by hand, and the finished product will be a perfect reproduction of the original signs, as they will be manufactured from 1.60mm gauge Vitreous Enamel grade steel.
The price, as previously estimated works out at £150.00 each, with postage and packaging added on top. To maintain this price I have agreed to travel up to the Midlands to collect them, thus getting over the £95 delivery charge to me.
Whilst I do not require the full amount up front I would certainly appreciate a 20% deposit for each sign please.
Finally, please be kind enough to e-mail me to provide your address or that to which you would like the signs to be delivered, which will be 6-8 weeks from today.
Thank you.
Jim Stringer (Vice President - The Vintage Austin Register)

Location: The tropical Island of Sheppey

Good evening Jim. I´m currently away at the moment but I will post you a cheque on my return.
Regards from the very warm island of Gran Canaria.
Stuart

Good evening Jim. I´m currently away at the moment but I will post you a cheque on my return.
Regards from the very warm island of Gran Canaria.
Stuart

Gentlemen,

There are still a few who, having expressed an interest in purchasing one of these signs, have not, as yet made contact with me confirming their interest.
Please be kind enough to let me know whether, or not you would still like one, as they have now been ordered and will be available within seven weeks from now.
I will of course still require a £30 deposit, and the address to where they are to be delivered.
Many thanks.
Jim.

Gent's,

Further to my previous message, I must advise you that out of the 20 signs
ordered from the manufacturer, I now only have 4 available.
If you intended to purchase one of these iconic signs I do require you to e-mail me as soon as possible. Once I have received your £30 deposit, your purchase will be assured.
Thank you.
Jim

Gentlemen.

Tomorrow, I collect the signs from the manufacturer, and the fun then starts packing and posting them off to you!

If you live within easy reach of the Isle of Sheppey - which is in Kent in case you wondered, then by all means please let me know if you would prefer to collect in person (and save on p&p).

As you know, the original order for 20 plaques had to be increased to 25 to satisfy demand, and have to advise that they are all now accounted for. i.e No spares!

I will not know the cost of postage until I have one packed ready for sending which can then be weighed at my local Post Office.

Finally, please ensure that I have your e-mail and delivery address so they can be safely and correctly delivered.

Many thanks. Jim Stringer.

Great news Jim, will be in touch via land line mid week. Ian M

Location: In a rubber lined room near Bristol

Hi there. Just perusing the net and came across this link. Have you any of more of these enamels for sale please?

Kind regards.

Terry Chapman.

Hello James. I was unable to access the VAR for your details, I'm assuming you received my deposit cheque and contact details?
Regards
Stuart

Ian Moorcraft writes:

Hello all, Just to put a finish to this thread, I thought I would post a picture of the fantastic sign received today from James Stringer.
Having bought signs from James in the past I had high expectations, and again I have not been disappointed, the sign is a really authentic copy of the original and a great addition to my collection.
I am sure the other 24 recipients of the signs will be very pleased also and will join me in thanking James for his considerable efforts to have these manufactured for us, if you haven't received yours yet, rest assured as James has packed it really well between two pieces of hardboard and bubble wrap.
Many thanks again James and all the best for Christmas and New Year Ian Moorcraft

Hello James. My sign arrived a few minutes ago and it is superb.
Many thanks for the effort which has gone into having them made and the care with which they are packaged.
Many thanks from the creative county
Stuart

Location: Staffordshire

I am delighted that this project has gone so well, and from the comments received from those who purchased one, it would certainly appear that they exceeded expectations.
My next 'project' (for the new year) will be a limited run of the late 1920's 'Austin Sales & Service' signs, which again will be manufactured to the same degree of quality as the Dealership signs. I do not require any money 'up front', but would, at this stage appreciate any interest please. Whilst as yet I do not have a firm price for these signs, I can say that they will not be as expensive as the Dealersip ones.
Finally if you own, or know of any other Austin signs which would be suitable for re-manufacturing, please be kind enough to let me know.
Many thanks. Jim Stringer (Vice President - The Vintage Austin Register)

Location: Tropical Isle of Sheppy

Gentlemen,
Please note that that I am NOT currently in the philippines. Regretably some low life has hacked into my e-mail account and contacted everyone in my address book asking for money. DO NOT ON ANY ACCOUNT FALL FOR THIS SCAM.
Cheers. Jim.

Location: Tropical Isle of Sheppy

As a footnote to this thread, the packed signs each weighed 7kilos. The lady in my local Post Office advised me that to send it to Australia ( I sent two), it would cost in excess of £90 and take between four to six weeks.
On line I came across Trans Global Express who quoted £45 + £16. If they came and picked it up from my house. They guaranteed a 4-5 DAY delivery! Both signs were collected on the 19th and delivered to the recipients in time for Christmas !
Worth remembering perhaps.

Location: Tropical Isle of Sheppy

Hi Stuart,
Just to let you know, there is yet another iconic Austin sign in the process of being produced.
This one dates from 1914 and features the Austin 'demonstrator' car with the big white diamond painted on the radiator.
The size will be 17" X 24" and the cost (regrettably) will be £145 plus P&P.
Please let me know if you might be interested.
My e-mail address is: jamescharlesstringer02@gmail.com. Telephone: 01795 488177
Hoping to hear from you soon.
Best regards.
Jim.

Location: The Tropical Isle of Sheppey

Hi Jim,

This looks like an interesting topic of discussion, but one that I've only just seen, being a comparatively new member of the group.

I would be interested in the sign featuring Austin 'demonstrator' car and also the dealer sign discussed previously, in the unlikely event that any of those should happen to still be available.

All the best,

Ian

Location: Hertfordshire

Hi Ian,
Many thanks for responding to my note on the 'new' sign. Regrettably I do not have any of the other signs available as they all sold out very quickly, and unless there is an overwhelming demand, unlikely to be produced again.
As I only know of you as "Ian M" would you be kind enough to drop me a short note via my e-mail address, then I can send you the image (all be it a rough one) from which this new sign will be manufactured.
In the meantime I shall add your name to the list.
Best regards.
Jim.

Location: The Tropical Isle of Sheppey

Jim writes:

The photograph below shows the manager of the Norwich Austin Dealership sitting at the wheel of the 'latest' 1914 Austin motor car (the registration is Irish, so I have been lead to believe)
Demonstrator cars were identified by the large white diamond painted on the radiator.
The new sign, which will be in colour, is based on the next illustration.
Interestingly, the picture bears an uncanny resemblance to the actual photograph, even to the hat the driver is wearing!

Hi Ruairidh, Thank you for posting these fascinating pictures. I've emailed Jim in order to add my name to the list.

Location: Hertfordshire

Jim Stringer writes:

Good morning Ruairidh,
Please find below, the completed artwork for the 'new' vitreous enamel Austin Sign.
I have now placed an order for 30 of these and currently have only seven still available.
The price works out at £145 each plus the cost of postage, packing or where applicable shipping.
My email address is: jamescharlesstringer02@gmail.com should anyone wish to contact me.
Delivery expected in about eight weeks time.
With very best regards.
Jim.

Thanks Jim, Absolutely brilliant, can't wait. Best regards Ian

Hello Jim

Just to confirm that i would like to order one of the latest signs, just in case you didnt receive my previous message.

regards
Paul Wood

Hey Jim

I got my sign today - thank you very much - the quality is outstanding.

I am told by the management that I have to wait until my birthday before it can go on the wall !!!!!

Nick Turley

Location: The Centre of the Universe

Got mine too. Outstanding. Thank you Jim

Location: Farnham sometimes

Good evening all. I would echo Nick and David's comments - the quality is superb. However it has caused a local difficulty in the family as no3 son wants it in the hall of his new home and as I'm running out of wall it looks like it will become a house warming gift.
Regards
Stuart

Location: Staffordshire, the creative county.

Come on stuart.

Tell the truth.

It's because you won't let him have your original.

Tony

Location: Huncote on the pig

I am very pleased that these signs have generated such a positive response. I ordered 30 from the manufacturer and all of them were snapped up very quickly. However although they have now been posted off to their new owners I still have one sitting in splendid isolation in my living room. This sign was ordered by Steve Smith. Who only provided me with an e-mail address, which, in spite of several attempts at contacting him have all gone unanswered.
So, if I do not hear from him within the next week I will make it available to the first person who contacts me. (Price: £145 + £22.70 P&P - UK).
On another matter, over the past ten or so years I have had 8 different Austin or Austin- related signs re-manufactured. Providing I can obtain 10 or more orders for a particular sign I can always order a re-run.
If there is interest in this proposal I can place photographs of all of them on this website.
Cheers.
Jim

Jim writes:

Good morning Ruairidh,
And thank you for kindly offering to post images of the re-manufactured vitreous enamel Austin signs on the Austin Seven Friend's website for me.
There were 8 reproduced in total over the past twelve years, and what I have tried to do is send images of all of them together on one e-mail, but for some reason I can only send three or four at a time, so the next few will be sent separately.
The four signs below are as follows:
The Big White Diamond. Single-sided from 1914 (Ref: AS8)
The Dependable Austin. Double-sided, from mid 1920's (Ref: AS2) note, this one is currently being re-ordered and will be available in 8 weeks time.
Austin Sales & Service. Single sided from mid 1920's (Ref: AS1).
Castrol XL offering free lubrication handbook and wallchart. Late 1920's (Ref: AS3)
The next few will be sent next.
Cheers.
Jim

















Hi again Ruairidh,
The following is some further information on the signs.

AS1. 24" X 17" single sided.
AS2. 22" X 27.1/2" double sided (currently being re-ordered).
AS3. 18.1/2" X 13.1/2" single sided.
AS4. 18.1/2" X 13.1/2" single sided.
AS5. T.B.A. (12" X 8" approx)
AS6. 24" X 17" single sided.
AS7. 20" X 9.1/2" double sided.
AS8. 24" X 17" single sided.

As for prices this depends on how many I can order, obviously the more I order the cheaper they become ( to a degree!)
I do know that the double sided "The Dependable Austin" signs will be over £200.
As for the KLG sign, I will have to come back to you with the dimensions as I did not manage to keep one for myself, but they are smaller at about 12" X 8" ( as a guess).
So, to sum up, this is simply an exercise to establish the demand, if any, for having any of these signs re-manufactured again. Call it a sort of "wish list", the lowest number, to make it economically viable for the manufacturer is ten, if I reach that number on any sign I will re-order.
Thanking you again for your help in this matter.
Best regards.
Jim.

I am sad to see that photo bucket - whoever the hell they are, have seen fit to make the pictures impossible to see on here, should any of the signs listed interest you then please email me and I will send you an image that way.
Cheers. Jim

I have the Big White Diamond and the two sided Austin Dealer signs,but would be interested in the others.I would happily put my order in if there was enough interest for the others. I will add that the quality of the Big White Diamond which I just received, as well as the Austin Dealer's signs is wonderful.Thank you Jim,forsaking these available.

I hate spell check. I meant to say, "Thank you, Jim, for making these available". I guess spell check thought I meant, "Forsaking all lesser signs".

As mentioned earlier, the double-sided 'The Dependable Austin' Dealers sign has been re-ordered and I do only have three left.
I am also very reluctantly putting my last 'Big White Diamond' sign back on sale as the chap who ordered it, whilst having made contact, did not indicate whether or not he still wanted it. Please email me if interested.
Cheers. Jim.