Austin A40 Cambridge ?

Author
Discussion

J4CKO

Original Poster:

41,284 posts

199 months

Tuesday 2nd February 2016
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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 ?


j4ckos mate

3,009 posts

169 months

Tuesday 2nd February 2016
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God j4cko thats takes me back
one of my dads brother in laws had one, it was an old thing then

if im not mistaken it was an estate and laods of us would pile in it to styal woods

i was in the boot with a cousin

nicanary

9,750 posts

145 months

Tuesday 2nd February 2016
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Are we talking A40 Farina or A55 Cambridge? Or the even older A40 Devon? Or the A50 Cambridge?

J4CKO

Original Poster:

41,284 posts

199 months

Tuesday 2nd February 2016
quotequote all
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

9,750 posts

145 months

Tuesday 2nd February 2016
quotequote all
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.
Well that'll teach me. I'd forgotten about that model. When was the last time anyone saw one of those?

J4CKO

Original Poster:

41,284 posts

199 months

Tuesday 2nd February 2016
quotequote all
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.
Well that'll teach me. I'd forgotten about that model. When was the last time anyone saw one of those?
Yeah, it obscure, maybe there is a reason why moggies are so popular

Riley Blue

20,915 posts

225 months

Tuesday 2nd February 2016
quotequote all
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.
A40 Farina panels are available from Radfords:
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...

mikey77

707 posts

187 months

Wednesday 3rd February 2016
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Friend of mine had an A40 Cambridge 40-odd years ago - it was old then but in good nick and it served him well for years. It had the 1200cc original version of the B-series engine, IIRC, like the Austin Somerset.

austin

1,274 posts

202 months

Wednesday 3rd February 2016
quotequote all
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.


AndyDRZ

1,202 posts

235 months

Wednesday 3rd February 2016
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If you're after alternative ideas, the A35 is good value and fun to drive.
Smaller engine but lighter car to start with.
A series so loads of tuning options (midget 1275 engine slots right in)

I think it is prettier than the a40 Cambridge She'll either love or hate the look!

Dogwatch

6,222 posts

221 months

Wednesday 3rd February 2016
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OK in its day, perhaps best remembered through clouds of nostalgia rather than the pain of ownership.

kartman24

458 posts

250 months

Wednesday 3rd February 2016
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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


RONV

533 posts

133 months

Wednesday 3rd February 2016
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[url]|http://thumbsnap.com/JY3CXBuV[/ur l] Hi, this is mine a 1960 A40 Farina they drive well and a very good owners club. Ron.

J4CKO

Original Poster:

41,284 posts

199 months

Wednesday 3rd February 2016
quotequote all
Ok, now looking at A35's, will see what she says.

RONV

533 posts

133 months

Wednesday 3rd February 2016
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this is my engine and it goes quite well

occrj

370 posts

177 months

Thursday 4th February 2016
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J4CKO said:
Ok, now looking at A35's, will see what she says.
Here's an alternative - I'm a fan of the Standard 8/10, think A35 but with better under-bonnet access smile The engine is the same 948cc unit as in the early Heralds, and they handle really well for their age.

RJ

V8 Fettler

7,019 posts

131 months

Thursday 4th February 2016
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J4CKO said:
Ok, now looking at A35's, will see what she says.
Buy two, you can then go racing.

Rich G

1,271 posts

217 months

Saturday 6th February 2016
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occrj said:
Here's an alternative - I'm a fan of the Standard 8/10, think A35 but with better under-bonnet access smile 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! smile

eldar

21,614 posts

195 months

Saturday 6th February 2016
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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...

Mr Tidy

22,065 posts

126 months

Sunday 7th February 2016
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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!