Description
HERE, fresh in today, is my delightful 1961 Austin A40 Countryman Mark 1.
This clever idea which sprang from the drawing boards of BMC resulted in the A40 Countryman becoming the UK's first ever mass produced hatchback - even though the terminology itself had not yet been put in place. Countryman was the word the designers used and "estate" was the word used on their registration documents. Out of the 350, 000 or so Austin A40s built, a mere 20 per cent were Countrymans (or should that be Countrymen?). Was this because, at the time, BMC could not be sure if their quirky design would be a winner? Who knows. Thus, 80 per cent of A40s were saloon versions with an opening boot and a fixed rear window.
As you would imagine, the Countryman is a mega-rare sight today and the model has become highly sought after.
Up goes the rear window and down goes the tailgate with the obvious result of offering wide open space for loading. Naturally enough, the rear seat folds flat also in traditional estate car fashion.
This is a Mark 1, thus coming with no window winders, painted metal dash, A35 style speedo pod, wavy Austin grille and so on. She is a delight. Clearly a classic that has not been messed with and one whose mileage of just 37, 000 could well be correct judging by her appearance and, in particular, the highly original interior. A lovely driver with its correct Mark 1 spec 948cc engine. Not many left.
My classic cars are motoring antiques. Please do not confuse them with your one-year-old Range Rover. This car, for example, is 61-years-old and so will have quirks and faults in there somewhere. These are not always apparent when buying and selling classics which is what I do. I do not restore them, nor do I pretend that they are concours cars. The majority of them go out as they came in, and I continue to enjoy finding more - a skill which is becoming increasingly difficult as many of you will be aware. They deserve to be taken on as "family pets" and cared for through thick and then. They don't make them any more and demand now out-strips supply. Please bear all this in mind, and enjoy your classic car. I can also assist with delivery and so please ask for a quote.
I have now been established as a one-man band classic car dealer for 20 years and pride myself on my buying prowess and - due to small margins - my prices which I firmly believe are up there among the very best in the UK classic car marketplace.
Thanks, Martin. the details below
