Tell me about: A40 Farinas, please.

[Cavcraft]

It'll probably be a while off yet but I've always fancied an A40 Farina. Are they useable as a daily runner and what's the parts stuation like please? I think they have Morris 1000 running gear so would imagine mechanical bits are easy to find/replace but no idea about bodywork etc.

[whitevanman]

They are great wee motors, an engine upgrade and better brakes if you want make a hell of a difference for longer commutes, body work is no worse than any other car of its time, the clubs good for spares

[Angrydicky]

Very similar to my Austin A35 mechanically. I use that every day, and it's fine as long as you don't need to go up and down the motorway all the time and you are handy with the spanners! If you are used to modern disc brakes the drums can come as a bit of a shock, but it can all be upgraded to MG Midget discs if you really aren't happy. I'm used to the brakes by now.

 

As WVM says the owners club are a friendly bunch, their technical officer Nick Bayliss is a nice guy with a wealth of knowledge and he's by the phone most nights to sort out owners problems. Check out and sign up to the website: www.a40farinaclub.co.uk

 

Price wise they really don't go for a lot, you can get a scruffy MOT'd one for under a grand, and they're all tax exempt as well.

 

Good luck!

[wuvvum]

I'd go for a Mk2 - they have a longer wheelbase, better brakes (hydraulic all round) and a 1098cc engine which does a better job of keeping up with traffic than the 948cc engine in the Mk1. Otherwise they're a great little car, more modern to drive, cheaper and less cramped than the A35. I've had two, and would have another.

[garethj]

I think they have Morris 1000 running gear

I believe they’re closest to an MG Midget for running gear, so upgrading the engine, gearbox, rear axle and front discs to late Spridget parts would be on my list.

 

Then you can go hunting down similar cars on the road to blow them away – 850cc Minis, Reliant Rebels, Moulinex food mixers etc

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Owight geeza! 'Eres a few little pointas to look aaaahhhht for when checking aaahht one of these tasty mowtaz:

 

Look at the pedal rubbers and see if the wear on them is commensurate with the mileage

Check that the VIN is present and tallies with whats on the V5 - uvverwise it moight be a ringaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!

Look under the windscreen seal to see if it has had a respray at any point

Ask to see the service history - cambelt changes can cost £80,000 on these engines

Also i would defo get an HPI check done to make sure theres no outstanding finance or nuffink

 

Plus other generic and utterly useless information which is totally irrelevant and will make you look like a cock if you mention it to the seller.

[Rocket88]

Owight geeza! 'Eres a few little pointas to look aaaahhhht for when checking aaahht one of these tasty mowtaz:

 

Look at the pedal rubbers and see if the wear on them is commensurate with the mileage

Check that the VIN is present and tallies with whats on the V5 - uvverwise it moight be a ringaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!

Look under the windscreen seal to see if it has had a respray at any point

Ask to see the service history - cambelt changes can cost £80,000 on these engines

Also i would defo get an HPI check done to make sure theres no outstanding finance or nuffink

 

Plus other generic and utterly useless information which is totally irrelevant and will make you look like a cock if you mention it to the seller.

 

From "How to buy a classic car", by Mike Brewer, I presume?

[pandamonium]

It was just like he was in the room!

[pogweasel]

They are RWD, therefore GR8 4 DRFTN.

[GJR 11L]

Buy one! My first car was a 1963 MK2, XJR40. MK2s with their SU carb are fine machines to tool around in whether with the free-revving little 948 or the 1098 with its "massive" amount of torque. Either would sit quite happily on a Motorway all day long at the national limit, though a Reliant Rebel 750 is very much the livelier car since its name was mentioned.....

 

Does A40 aficionado and all-round good egg, Keef use this forum? If so, expect an embarrassing [early '80s] photo of me with an A40 to be appearing soon.

[Cavcraft]

Cheers gents, shall pay a visit to the A40 forum later.

[Milford Cubicle]

If the oil is black it means the head gasket has failed.

 

 

I've always liked A40 Farinas, really neat styling. When I get the occasional urge to buy something ancient the A40 is always on 'the list'.

[lovejoy]

First Class resilient little motor !! 3 thumbs up from me.

 

there's an oddball guy on Nevis who tools around in a 1961 example, it.s the oldest running car on the island, will try and post a pic if i can find it.

the character in question is known as "Beeman", for those who may be passing.......

[Angrydicky]

Does A40 aficionado and all-round good egg, Keef use this forum? If so, expect an embarrassing [early '80s] photo of me with an A40 to be appearing soon.

Certainly does...I'm sure he'll be along shortly

[keef]

expect an embarrassing [early '80s] photo of me with an A40 to be appearing soon.

You really want me to post *that* photo?

 

Here's a good selection :-

 

http://www.flickr.com/groups/a40farina/

[Pete-M]

I'd quite like an A40 Farina. Cute little things.

 

How hard is it to fit a V8 to 'em?

[keef]

How hard is it to fit a V8 to 'em?

 

[Mash]

I'm not a big fan of BMC cars these days but the Mk2 A40 Farina is one I've always hankered after. I saw this little beauty at the weekend and it was just perfect in every way, very low mileage too. What really made me want to take it home is that it is a local car too, always in the Hull area and supplied new by the fabulously named Cornelius Parish.

 

Just lovely.

 

[keef]

it is a local car too, always in the Hull area and supplied new by the fabulously named Cornelius Parish.

 

Quite a rarity as it's a standard rather than the usual deluxe model. You can tell that from the non-opening rear quarter lights and no stainless steel trim round the windscreen.

 

This car appeared in Practical Classics in Oct '98.

[eddyramrod]

My first posting on this forum, and it's to direct you to my avatar! Yes, there's one of us daft enough to be restoring an A40 Farina in Cyprus! It's getting some small mods along the way, but I don't want to lose the charm of the original car. I had one of these way back in 1978, it was one of my first cars. That was a 948cc Mk1 saloon, this is a 1098 Mk2 Countryman, but close enough! It should make an exceedingly practical classic car when complete, and of course the A40 club forum is a very friendly place to be, come and have a look.

[keef]

Yes, there's one of us daft enough to be restoring an A40 Farina in Cyprus!

Be great to see some pictures.

[michiel]

+1 for pictures, and welcome!

[eddyramrod]

Thanks guys! And, er, hello everybody peeps...

 

Yes, as soon as I figure out how to post photos (yes, I know there's a thread...) then I'll do that. In fact I'm likely to bombard you, you might want to be careful what you wish for! At least I managed to make an avatar...

[keef]

as soon as I figure out how to post photos (yes, I know there's a thread...)

http://autoshite.commlm/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8292

[fotorabia]

i know nuffink..so heres my old NZ 2c' worth needing rescued..

[eddyramrod]

Ripe for restoration there! Looks like the fake-wood dash, so we should be looking at a 1098 engine. This will be a 1964-on car, approximately. You know you want to...

 

Is that an Austin Ruby in the background?

[fotorabia]

hey eddy..its Horopito Motors in Raetihi ,New Zealand...my local scrapyard museum..an A40 sold alongside my Viva HC at our local classic car auction on Saturday..but im in scotland currently so naturally didnt attend..so dont know what it went for..i can find out tho..

[eddyramrod]

I'm writing down those details as we speak... never been to NZ! I'm always amazed where old Brit cars turn up. I could take you to half a dozen A40s over here in Cyprus, but as far as I know only one of them is "on the road" and it isn't mine (she's in too many small pieces).

[keef]

i know nuffink..so heres my old NZ 2c' worth needing rescued..

Could soon look like this one.

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/13091571@N07/3664705870/

[keef]

as far as I know only one of them is "on the road" and it isn't mine (she's in too many small pieces).

This one? :-

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangosierraone/4752206017/