Description
The A40 “Farina” was the first car designed for BMC by the Italian designer Pinin Faina. It was produced between 1958 and 1967 with a major revision in 1961 and further improvements in 1962 when the 1098cc engine, primarily designed for the Austin/ Morris 1100 was fitted.
This car is a 1967 Austin A40 farina saloon in Horizon Blue with a black roof. It is one of the last A40’s built, registered August 1967, three months before the end of production. It was supplied new to a Mr Bouvet of Chiswick by “Kennings Car Mart” of Hendon, London, has had just five previous owners from new and comes with a detailed history file.
The last owner carried out a sympathetic restoration with various upgrades around five years ago. The car is now fitted with a fully re-built 1098cc (“10CC” engine code with 2” main bearings as fitted to the Midget Mk2 with matching 12G295 cylinder head with double valve springs), correctly set up twin SU HS2 carburettors and free flow exhaust with LCB manifold. All of this was designed with a nod towards the “Speedwell” conversions popular on “A” series cars in period. The result is a surprisingly quick car with a noticeable increase in power and torque. The brakes have also been upgraded to discs upfront with braided hoses, and “BCC” leaf springs at the rear. There is also an alternator conversion, various additional gauges and “Minilite” style wheels. Around the same time, the car was also treated to a body re-paint and interior re-trim. As you can see, it presents in beautiful condition with just the odd, very minor imperfection.
This A40 is more or less unique and drives beautifully. On the road, it provides more fun than you might expect and the carefully thought through modifications add up to a car that goes and stops more like an MG Midget than an A40. Importantly, reliability has not been affected and the performance increase is matched by the braking and suspension improvements.
We have just carried out a little re-commissioning after a period of little use and this car is now ready to use. It comes with a comprehensive history file including a complete set of MOT’s back to 1971, original service book, handbook, new and old V5’s and original buff logbook and various bills and sundry documents.
Viewing at Biddulph, Staffs.
