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Assembly Required: 1948 Austin A40 Pickup

British Motor Corporation made a variety of body styles under the Austin A40 name between 1947-67. Not only did this include small automobiles, but trucks as well. The naming logic wasn’t complicated: the “A” stood for Austin and the “40” stood for the horsepower output of their little engine. The pickup was seldom seen in the U.S., especially with left-hand drive like the seller’s 1948 edition. It suffers from rust in a variety of places and the drivetrain will have to be coaxed to run again. Located in Sea Girt, New Jersey, this little pickup is available here on eBay where just one bid has been placed for $100. Naturally, there is a reserve but you can Buy It Now for $3,900.

The Austin A40 pickup was offered from 1948-57 by Austin of England, whose script can be seen on both sides of the hood. The truck is somewhat short at about 13 feet with a wheelbase of 92 inches and a curb weight of not much more than a ton. The truck comes with an all-steel cab with an open bed having tongue-and-groove wooden floors. The rear wheel openings are tiny, making for an interesting look for a truck. We understand that even after being off the market for more than 60 years, Austin Works can supply many of the parts that will be needed for restoration, including items like reproduction rubber for the windshield, doors, as well as body trim pieces. Nearly 62,000 of them were built, including just under 4,800 in 1948/49 during which time the seller’s truck was made.

This rare LHD version from 1948 was found in a barn as part of the estate of a former drag race collector. The body was detached from the chassis, so what you see has been hung together for presentation purposes. There is rust in several key places, such as in the frame, door sills, and the bed, and surface rust can be found almost everywhere else. The truck looks as though it spent quite a lot of time outdoors. Some parts are missing, like the door hinges. The door glass is good, but a new windshield will be needed. None of the wiring is connected to anything.

There is no title for the truck, which the seller says takes 3-4 months to solve if the pickup stays in Jersey. So, the buyer will have to be happy with a bill of sale that says the vehicle doesn’t run, isn’t complete, and was sold unassembled.  There isn’t a lot of consistent online data about the resale value for a vehicle like this which shows up for sale so seldom. This is a project that will probably be completed by a collector of Austin’s or unusual trucks.

Comments

  1. Avatar Mark_K Member

    Was the square steering wheel a dealer installed option?

    Like 12
  2. Avatar oilngas

    i really need this truck. I miss my Morris. Probably have enough parts laying around to get this running and driving.

    Like 4
  3. Avatar luke arnott

    The British Motor Corporation was not founded until 1952.This was made at Longbridge,Birmingham (known as “The Austin”) by Austin.

    Like 4
  4. Avatar Martin Horrocks

    Nice and unusual. Crying out for imaginative Restomod build. $3000 seems more reasonable., but there are many nice details here.

    First use of B series engine, I think. With nice later 4 cyl engine ( FIAT twin cam and 5 speed fits easily), this could be a very attractive little pick up

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Solosolo UK Member

    The first vehicle I ever drove was a 1953 Austin A 40 pickup exactly like this. Four on the tree but I only ever got to use first and reverse while loading farm equipment in the company car lot.

    Like 1
  6. Avatar 1st Gear

    I see a ’60s style gasser here.

    Like 5
  7. Avatar Chris Londish Member

    This is a common pattern across the Austin range in Australia we had the A55 and A70 in this form as well, with the advantage of having lower tariffs because these came from to a British Commonwealth country

    Like 0
  8. Avatar chrlsful

    rest0mod to near stock. Looks like even enuff to re-do the seat.
    Great idea there (sm p/u) but no money to B made in the manufacturing/sale. Out for most (esp usa co,s).
    I’d daily it. Could even put ina bucket. I don’t need the extra seat~
    I hope that’s not cleared over the ‘patina’. I hate that. Needs a nice light color (stays cleaner).

    Like 0

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