Description
Reluctant sale of my 1964 Austin A40 Farina saloon in Embassy Maroon with Satin Beige interior.
This was a one owner car until 2006 when it was sold on ebay to a gent in Norfolk who developed health problems and so decided to sell it and I bought it from him via ebay in August 2007. So... 3 owners in 44 years!
The car developed some engine problems in February of this year and so I sourced a 1275cc MG Midget engine and had it reconditioned and converted to unleaded (it is still under warranty too). To keep it looking "right", the engine has been painted BMC olive green. I have added a single SU HIF44 carb with K&N/ Pipercross filter (and also have a pair of 1 1/ 2" SUs that can go with the car too), 3. 9:1 diff from a Midget to make it more long legged, an alternator and Lumenition electronic ignition to make closed points gaps a thing of the past! .
The engine is still very new and tight and has only done a small number of miles since its rebuild but in spite of that it feels very sweet and perky. It still feels and sounds like an A40 when you drive it but it takes a drive in a standard A40 to realise how good this one is to drive and how much more capable it is but still full of charm. The carb needs setting up as it snatches and pulls back at about 60 at the moment and it will be fettled before sale - so far it has been a good aid in helping run the new engine in carefully!
To help the car car handle and stop properly with the increased power, the car has MG Midget disc brakes and stub axles with new pads, discs, king pins and bushes, uprated front shock absorbers, new standard rear shockers, halogen headlamps, minilite style alloy wheels, inertia reel seat belts.
The original wheels and hubcaps are available to the buyer and if these are fitted there are no external clues that the car is non standard.
The current MoT expires in February but I am prepared to get a new MoT once I know it has sold and the car is of course tax exempt. Classic insurance is readily and cheaply available and for me a 39 year old woman living 15 miles from Birmingham it costs approximately £90 a year to insure
The car was restored about 6 or 7 years ago when it had a respray, front wings and new sills. The car looks great from a distance but the finish could be better up close (a couple of dints, dents, ripples and marks where an idiot decorator spilt paint on it). The interior is nice and original and it had its original plastic seats covers on until 2006! The carpets are original and a little tatty but ready made carpets are available new. The overall impression that the car gives is actually very good and you could leave it as is or improve it further.
Why am I selling? Until recently, I owned 6 cars and have so far sold another A40, my TR7 and a Mark 2 Golf. I have just started doing HR contracting work which means my income is very uncertain and I can work away for long periods of time. I think I only now need one A40 Farina saloon and since my standard grey one didn't sell on ebay, I thought I would give this one a go.
The number plate is transferable and surely worth £600+, the conversion cost me £1800+ and A40 prices now seem to be rising so am unsure how to value this hence a classified advert not an auction. If you are interested in this or my other A40 please do contact me.
