Among the iconic vehicles that will be at our event, we present one that will undoubtedly get people talking. In Uruguayan cargo transportation, English trucks were leaders for several years. Those were times when the comfort of the trucker was not important, only the availability of the equipment, and that was precisely what English trucks offered, vehicles with simple and durable mechanics.
In Uruguayan cargo transportation, English trucks were leaders for several years. Those were times when the comfort of the truck driver was not important, only the availability of the equipment, and that was precisely what English trucks offered, vehicles with simple and durable mechanics.
José Cristófalo started out in the transportation business with a French Delahaye truck. In 1963, he bought his first brand new Austin with a 105 hp BMC engine. After José's death in 1986, the second generation of the Cristófalo family started the business with that Austin. Over time, the company grew and incorporated more units. In 1998, the company finally sold the Austin to renew the unit with another brand new truck. The buyer of the Austin went bankrupt, handed the truck over to a car manufacturer to sell, and there it was acquired by another transporter who did international transportation. He went to Juan Lacaze, crossed by boat, loaded and unloaded goods in Argentina, and returned.
The Cristófalo family eventually lost sight of the significant truck until a company employee spotted it and that's when the recovery of the vehicle began. In 2008, the Austin returned to the family; although the vehicle was in working order, it needed extensive restoration work.
THE RESTORATION THAT EVERYONE WAS INVOLVED IN
The first generation bought it, the second generation restored it and thanks to the third generation of the Cristófalo family the Austin was completely restored. Although the truck returned to the family in 2008, the excess work in the company's workshops left the restoration processes aside.
During the 2010 holidays, the truck was dismantled, the chassis, cab and engine were separated; The engine was sent to the mill and they were faced with the bitter pill that the engine was no longer of any use.
Then the search for an engine block began, after visiting several scrapyards, frustration took hold, as nothing of that engine was found.
After this search that did not yield good results, a company manager found an identical truck that was for sale; there they found the donor to continue the project and be able to install the engine. Then the work was on the chassis, which was sent to a metalworks to leave it in excellent condition; they continued with the gearbox, differentials and front axle.
The cabin was taken to an old-school garage, which was fully re-covered. After assembly, the truck was ready, but there were still some small details missing, which were left behind due to lack of time, and the Austin had to be stored for years. At this stage, the dynamism and youth of the third generation of the Cristófalo family were fundamental to the completion of the project.
FINALIZED WORK, A VERY EMOTIONAL PRESENTATION
On the 85th birthday of grandmother Nely (José Cristófalo's wife), the family presented her with the finished truck; a vehicle that for years was not only the work tool of an entire family, but also the leisure vehicle on vacation.
Vacations in AUSTIN are unforgettable moments, from long trips to Santa Teresa or Hot Springs, to short trips to spend the day in places like Piriápolis, with the family. The cargo truck was converted into a period motor home, with water tanks, bunk beds, ladders and everything needed to enjoy the vacation.
In his time, on Sundays, Don Pepe would take his group of children to the beach after their Sunday nap. The entire neighborhood traveled to Austin Beach to enjoy those unforgettable moments.
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