Austin A40 Cambridge ?
Discussion
My missus isnt a committed petrolhead but she knows what she likes, moderns with a bit of grunt that dont annoy her and Fiat 500's of the crusty variety, anyway she has had 2 500s and generally they were hard work as we bought cheaper ones that needed work, she wants another but doesnt want to spend ten grand plus on a nice restored 500, I showed her an A40 Cambridge and she was really rather keen on it.
So, given they are actually older than the 500, are they easier to live with, having a bit more power (all relative) another 2 cylinders and sturdier construction ?
What would we need to pay for one, dont mind a bit of work but not a basket case ?
So, given they are actually older than the 500, are they easier to live with, having a bit more power (all relative) another 2 cylinders and sturdier construction ?
What would we need to pay for one, dont mind a bit of work but not a basket case ?
nicanary said:
Are we talking A40 Farina or A55 Cambridge? Or the even older A40 Devon? Or the A50 Cambridge?
The A40 Cambridge was the earlier version that got updated into the A50, the A55 Cambridge being the bigger one with fins, would consider an A40 Farina as well but I asked someone I know who said body parts are very hard to find. Would consider anything if cheap enough and not totally rotten.J4CKO said:
nicanary said:
Are we talking A40 Farina or A55 Cambridge? Or the even older A40 Devon? Or the A50 Cambridge?
The A40 Cambridge was the earlier version that got updated into the A50, the A55 Cambridge being the bigger one with fins, would consider an A40 Farina as well but I asked someone I know who said body parts are very hard to find. Would consider anything if cheap enough and not totally rotten.nicanary said:
J4CKO said:
nicanary said:
Are we talking A40 Farina or A55 Cambridge? Or the even older A40 Devon? Or the A50 Cambridge?
The A40 Cambridge was the earlier version that got updated into the A50, the A55 Cambridge being the bigger one with fins, would consider an A40 Farina as well but I asked someone I know who said body parts are very hard to find. Would consider anything if cheap enough and not totally rotten.J4CKO said:
nicanary said:
Are we talking A40 Farina or A55 Cambridge? Or the even older A40 Devon? Or the A50 Cambridge?
The A40 Cambridge was the earlier version that got updated into the A50, the A55 Cambridge being the bigger one with fins, would consider an A40 Farina as well but I asked someone I know who said body parts are very hard to find. Would consider anything if cheap enough and not totally rotten.http://www.radfordpanel.co.uk/austin.htm
Anyways, I think you should get a Riley One-Point-Five then I won't feel so all alone here...
We had an A50 in the family until last year, (valve broke, dropped and holed a piston.)
They are slow and quite heavy to drive, although it's a nice place to be when moving.
The steering was very heavy at low speeds and was a bit of a nightmare to park because of it.
Now have a Morris 1000, seems like the future when you compare them.
They are slow and quite heavy to drive, although it's a nice place to be when moving.
The steering was very heavy at low speeds and was a bit of a nightmare to park because of it.
Now have a Morris 1000, seems like the future when you compare them.
Another vote for an A35, we currently have two, a saloon and a van. Having owned four classic 500`s over the years and thought they were great fun i can see the appeal but last year we bought a 1957 A35 saloon as i had wanted to try one for a number of years. I must say i find it even more fun than a 500 to drive and it is very easy to maintain, ours has a servo fitted on the brakes and an SU carb for more reliability and performance. As someone else said, plenty of performance upgrades available and nice ones can be bought for the same money that a rough 500 would cost........Martin
occrj said:
Here's an alternative - I'm a fan of the Standard 8/10, think A35 but with better under-bonnet access The engine is the same 948cc unit as in the early Heralds, and they handle really well for their age.
RJ
Quite agree - and they can be easily upgraded with bit from various Spitfires. The disc brakes from a Mk1 Spit are a very easy swap onto the 8/10. Had one about 30 years ago, ended up with full upgrade to 1300 Spitfire spec (except for the carb, ran a large single Stromberg). Lovely car, just wish I'd fitted a heater! RJ
nicanary said:
Well that'll teach me. I'd forgotten about that model. When was the last time anyone saw one of those?
I had one a few years ago... Bench front seat, column change, loads of space.Would never start with the starter motor, but always would with a quick tweak of the starting handle. Had an amazing ability to rust terminally...
Isn't that the one they showed a period advert for on the Classic Car Show on TV this week with 2 "posh" kids?
Quentin described it as "grey porridge"! He must have got a mirror in his house!
My father had an A40 Somerset when I was born and I remember going to Scotland in it from Surrey in 1963 (with an overnight stop on the way)!
Based on that I wouldn't think an A40 Cambridge would fare too well in modern traffic - an A30/35 or A40 Farina might be a better option, but the A40 Cambridge would certainly stand out looks-wise!
Look forward to the update!
Quentin described it as "grey porridge"! He must have got a mirror in his house!
My father had an A40 Somerset when I was born and I remember going to Scotland in it from Surrey in 1963 (with an overnight stop on the way)!
Based on that I wouldn't think an A40 Cambridge would fare too well in modern traffic - an A30/35 or A40 Farina might be a better option, but the A40 Cambridge would certainly stand out looks-wise!
Look forward to the update!
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