• Genuine and original A40 Cambridge

• Full working order

• Lovely, original patina

• Original 1.2-litre B-Series engine

Introduced in 1954 to replace the Austin Devon, the Austin A40 Cambridge was a light four-door saloon designed to offer affordable but comfortable family transport.

It was a smart and elegant design that evoked typical 1950 styling cues, including its fluted wings and sweeping side profile. The model was also the first Austin to feature the British Motor Corporation’s B-Series engine, which debuted in the A40 in now-rare 1.2-litre form.

Production of the a 40 Cambridge ceased in 1956 as it was a slow seller compared with the larger-engined A50 and A55. A total of 30,666 were made. 

This example was first registered in 1955 and came to its current owner as part of a collection of vehicles he has acquired. There is very little known about its history, though the MOT history website shows that it last passed an MOT test in August 2011, since when it has covered a grand total of one mile. 

The owner has got the Austin running and is selling it as a working project. 

There is no paperwork with the vehicle, although the vendor has applied for a V5C and will hopefully have this before the auction concludes. There are no bills, receipts or historical documents. 

From 10 paces, this is a smart and respectable car, but it is being sold as a project and as a result you shouldn’t be expecting perfection. 

If you are, you’ll be disappointed. There are various areas where the paintwork is tired, there’s some rust breaking through at the bottom of the driver’s side front wing, and also on the rear quarter panel on the same side of the car. 

The paint quality is variable – though it does have quite a bit of charm as it is – and the chrome is poor in places – the rear bumper has a scab, the front one has a crease and all four wheel trims are weathered and pitted with corrosion. 

However, none of these looks like a major problem to put right, so if you want an A40 to fettle into show-worthy condition it’s actually a really good starting point as it’s a solid car that’s already quite presentable – while underneath we couldn’t find any corrosion worthy of note. It’s a fundamentally sound car – and in its current state it has a charm and patina all of its own. If you’re after something cool, old and retro to use just as it is, it could be just the ticket. 

Much like the outside, the interior of the Austin is showing its age in places. But critically, it’s all there. 

The front seats have been re-covered at some point and this is quite obvious, as they’re a much darker and fresher red to the back seats, which are most probably original. 

Everything is serviceable, though, and all of the dials and gauges appear to work, though the speedometer and clock have gone a bit opaque with age. The carpets are bright and fresh looking and appear to have been replaced concurrently with the front seats. 

It’s a cabin that’s brimming with character and period appeal, and is overall very presentable. 

The 1.2-litre B-Series produces 42bhp and is the smallest derivative of the popular Morris-designed engine, which was dropped soon after the merger of Austin and Morris to form BMC as the Austin A-Series was considered the better small car option. 

But the B-Series in 1.8-litre form powered the MGB right through until 1981, so parts availability is unlikely to be a problem.

We had the engine running at idle for quite some time when taking our photos and it maintained a steady temperature and ran well. We were also able to conduct a short test drive and can confirm that the Austin stops and steers as it should and that the four-speed column-shift gear change is a genuine delight to use. 

This is a charming example of a much-loved 1950s classic, with a wonderful patina to it. It’s not perfect, nor does it pretend to be. What it is, though, is an entirely genuine, complete and working example of a charismatic and well-loved car of its era. 

It’s solid, it’s all there, and it works as it should meaning it’s the perfect 1950s retro to use as is and to simply enjoy, or as a fabulous, solid basis for a full restoration. That’s a decision for the next buyer, but we have to say we find it quite alluring just as it is!