Those of you that have followed this site for a while know that I’m a fan of oddball British cars, and the A40 fits right in. This one is located in Long Beach, California and is available here on craigslist for only $2,450. Styled by Pininfarina and quite successful in rallyes at the time, the A40 brought Italian styling to the masses in the UK. This one seems very solid and sports Cosworth Vega wheels, although a stock car racing wheel is shown as well. The great thing about these cars is that Sprite/Midget hopup parts fit, such as disc brakes, larger engines and fully synchronized transmissions. I’d modify the heck out of this one and create a real sleeper. The ad says it runs and drives already so part of the work is done, and newly redone seats look very usable. Build on the already refurbished mechanicals and you’re on your way! What would you do? Thanks to Robert R. for this great find!
I had no idea that these were even exported to the US ! I recall that the Countryman version was the first hatchback produced in England.
My Dad used to have one of these over here it’s home country. However I think the Herald introduced Italian styling to the UK masses?
Great site!
Kevin Reading UK
Hi, Kevin! Actually, the Herald came a year after the A40. You scared me there for a minute, as we own a Herald–I had to go look it up :-)
I used to have one in UK, Only car I have ever been able to set the tappets in while the engine was still running, The car got me home, and I reset the lot again !
It used to take me AND 4 mates to University, down the back roads, before the Expressway was built, Liverpool to Cardiff, 200 miles in 4 hours. Brilliant car, I’d have it in a FLASH !
Would you believe this was my dad’s first car? My Grandfather won the “Pools” in the UK after the war and came back to Ireland and bought my dad this as a gift. It was already rusty as hell but my dad drove himself, my mom and 5 of my siblings around in it. By the time I came along he’d moved onto another red rust bucket Vauxhaull Viva coupe.
Ah where did the time go?
How do you say FUGLY in Italian? No, wait, it’s British. OK then, FUGLY!
In the UK, the wheels would be worth more than the car! Farina rust buckets. Due to a shortage of quality steel at the time, a lot of very inferior steel was used by the makers of all car parts and the thickness of the panels was reduced. The slab sided Viva was another rust trap, well not really a rust TRAP it increase whilst you were looking at it! Now, an earlier Austin Devon/ Somerset would be a much better option.
I hate British cars,When I was 16,my friend had one of these,We would street race,My friend with an Alfa always out in front,Veloce.Next me with my Borgward.Behind me my friend in his A-40,sometimes up on 2 wheels. This car is solid enough,runs,easy parts availability,has coolness factor,Im sure fun to drive,fairly dependable, affordable.Paint it green,a union jack on the roof,some minilites,two thumbs up
@DT
Just spme good ol’ blokes
Never meanin’ no harm.
Beats all you never saw
Been in trouble with the law
Although the coppers catch them on bicycles…