- Seller: Bob K (Contact)
- Location: Fresno, California
- Mileage: 00000 Shown
- Chassis #: 16763618
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 1G763618
In the early 1950s, finding a sports car with a lightweight aluminum body was something reserved for high-dollar, low-production cars, but Austin tried to change that. After seeing the Jensen Interceptor, Austin’s chairman, Leonard Lord approached Jensen about designing a vehicle that would be based on their A40 chassis. The finished product is unique but similar to the larger Jensen that inspired its creation. With just over 4,000 examples built, these don’t come up for sale often. The example being offered here is a field find that has been parked for the past 40 years. The previous owner thankfully removed all the important parts and stashed them inside their barn before parking the car outside. The seller has a clean title for it and put new tires on it, to get it rolling. It’s now being offered here as a no reserve Barn Finds Auction!
The seller purchased this A40 from the estate of Jack Heinrich, a mechanic and circle-track race car driver in Sanger, California. After buying the car, he disassembled it and stored the engine, transmission, trim, and any hard-to-find pieces in his barn. The seller laid out and photographed all of the included parts, so be sure to inspect the photos closely.
Being based on the A40 Devon, this little droptop is powered by the same Austin 1.2-liter inline-4. To provide a bit more sporting of an experience, the engine was fitted with twin-SU carbureters, which brought horsepower up to 46. The engine is out of the car and taken apart. It appears that all the major engine components are present. The seller has provided photos of the engine’s number tag and pictures of the body and chassis numbers.
When the car was disassembled, the interior was also removed, but it doesn’t appear to have survived its time in the barn well. Given that the Sports is based on the Devon, most of the interior can be sourced. It appears that all the gauges are present and could be restored. While the aluminum body won’t rust, the metal structure underneath can. The seller notes that the floors have rust issues and need repairs.
The A40 Sports is a really interesting little car. This one will require a full restoration, but these are getting increasingly difficult to find. If you’d love to revive this unique find, be sure to bid below. If you have any questions for the seller, please leave them in the comments.
Bid On This Auction
I-roll1800 bid $300.00 2025-10-06 10:57:27
A passed on buddy of mine restored a later model A40 about 25 years ago and gave it to his daughter as her daily driver. It was a rare car but rarity doesn’t equate to value. The same applies here. This is a neat project with all good bones. I would do a Resto-Mod on this one. Upgrade brakes, suspension and drop in a more modern suitable drivetrain. Fix interior as needed and a decent paint job. Restoring this to original would not bring any more value ( my opinion). It’s a car for Sunday drives and coffee hours! It would bring many smiles. Too bad it is on the west coast. I’m in the northeast.
Totally agree with restomod. Modern engine, brakes etc. Any modern 4 cyl would be a huge upgrade. Hit up the junkyard for all you need from a crash.
Lot of 1275 engines out there that would slip right in with no modifications.
What did these weigh when they left the factory? This is a pretty cool car that I have never seen before. Loaded with projects now, otherwise I might take a ride with the trailer.
Agree on the restomod. A little Pinto engine would liven it up, but engine choices are wide.
We need pictures of the dashboard and engine compartment. Instruments and switches, upper and under dash components, windscreen wiper hardware? Is the grille all there? And the door hardware (handles and window winders)? Softtop hardware? Wheel hub caps? All very hard to find. These may be similar to other 40s and early 50s Austin sedans but they are equally rare now!
Speaking as someone who assisted in collecting and storing three of these in recent times, IIRC the grilles could easily pass as modern-day “billet” style custom grilles. They sit in the recessed opening without any surrounding trim or garnish molding.
bring it back, bring it back!
Esp if one of the cross flow BMC-B series motors (DOHC) can fit. (aftr mrkt heads are made for this lill guy too, @ what cost, IDK). EFI it? Turbo or 4 Keihins?
Love the 95.5 inch WB, smooth design, vert top. B lots of fun to wrench, drive. Got room @ my place for one? No… 8^ ( …no time either (even such a lill guy) but here’s what I cut my eye teeth on at 14 – 22 yrs old (but 95% fiat, alpha, lancia).
Listed awhile back……and still hunting for payday…..
Listed a while back indeed, even got a blurb in the British
“Classic & Sports Car” magazine. Lost and found section.
With the top on, it reminds me of the car Peter Falk drove as Lt. Columbo on the TV series. That was a 1959 Peugeot 403 Cabriolet.
Wow! Talk about a jig saw puzzle! But it looks like all the parts are there.
The value won’t be in the finished product but in the process.
Can you imagine the smile you’d have driving this around.