Austin A40 Farina

Infobox Automobile |sp=uk
name = Austin A40 Farina


manufacturer = BMC
production = 1958-1967
342,162
class =
layout=FR layout
body_style = 2-door saloon
3-door hatchback
designer =
predecessor = Austin A35
successor = Austin 1100

:"See Austin A40 for other (previous) Austin A40 models."

The Austin A40 Farina was a compact car introduced by the British Motor Corporation in 1958. It was designed by Pininfarina of Italy. The A40 designation had been used on previous Austins, but the "Farina" suffix was unique to this car.

The A40 went under the name "Farina" in all countries but Sweden, where it got the name "Futura". The mix-up with a common type of brown sugar with a similar name, was believed to be unavoidable.

The car was a popular choice, in modified form, for competition work and was even entered in the 1961 Monte Carlo Rally. Several cars are still to be seen taking part in historic salon racing.

Mark I

Infobox Automobile generation |sp=uk
name = Mk I


production = 1958-1961
169,612
engine = 948 cc "A-Series" I4
length = Auto in|144.25|0
width = Auto in|59.5|0
height = convert|56.5|in|mm|abbr=on
weight = Auto lb|1764|0 approx
wheelbase = Auto in|83.5|0cite book |last=Culshaw |first= |authorlink= |coauthors=Horrobin |title=Complete Catalogue of British Cars |year=1974 |publisher=Macmillan |location=London |id=ISBN 0-333-16689-2]
track = Auto in|47|0
fuel_capacity = Convert|6|impgal|L usgal|0|abbr=on
related =
similar =
designer = PininfarinaThe A40 Farina replaced the Austin A35, and was then a relatively modern car, with an unusual almost notchback-like shape. The standard car was a saloon. The Countryman, which shared the same side profile as the saloon, was a small estate version which had a horizontally split rear opening, "i.e." with top-hinged upper door and bottom-hinged lower door. This might today be considered more like a small hatchback.

It shared the 948 cc "A-Series" straight-4 used in other Austins including its A35 predecessor. The suspension was independent at the front using coil springs with a live axle and semi elliptic leaf springs at the rear. The drum brakes were a hybrid arrangement, hydraulically operated at the front but cable actuated at the rear.The front drums at convert|8|in|mm|abbr=on were slightly larger than the convert|7|in|mm|abbr=on rears. Cam and peg steering was fitted.

Individual seats were fitted at the front with a bench at the rear that could fold down to increase luggage capacity. The trim material was a vinyl treated fabric. Options included a heater, radio, windscreen washers and white wall tyres. The gearchange lever was floor mounted and the handbrake between the seats. The door windows were not opened by conventional winders but used finger grips to pull them up and down.

A de-luxe version tested by the British magazine "The Motor" in 1958 had a top speed of convert|66.8|mph|km/h|abbr=on and could accelerate from 0-convert|50|mph|km/h|abbr=on in 19.5 seconds. A fuel consumption of convert|38|mpgimp|L/100 km mpgus was recorded. The test car cost £689 including taxes of £230. cite journal | authorlink = Unsigned |title = The Austin A40| journal =The Motor| volume = | pages = | date = November 5 1958]

Mark II

Infobox Automobile generation |sp=uk
name = Mk II


production = 1961-1967
172,550
engine = 948 cc "A-Series" I4
"(1961 - 1962)"
1098 cc "A-Series" I4
"(1962 - 1967)"
length = Auto in|145|0
width = Auto in|59.5|0
height = Auto in|57.5|0
weight = Auto lb|1764|0 approx
wheelbase = Auto in|87|0cite book |last=Culshaw |first= |authorlink= |coauthors=Horrobin |title=Complete Catalogue of British Cars |year=1974 |publisher=Macmillan |location=London |id=ISBN 0-333-16689-2]
track = Auto in|47|0
fuel_capacity = Convert|7|impgal|L usgal|0|abbr=on
related =
similar =
designer = PininfarinaAn A40 Farina Mark II was introduced in 1961. It had a longer wheelbase to increase the space for passengers in the back seats, and the front grill and dashboard were redesigned. The Mark II had more power (37 hp/28 kW) but was otherwise similar mechanically. The 948 cc engine was replaced in the autumn of 1962 by a larger 1098 cc version with an output of 48 bhp. An improved gearbox was fitted at the same time. This version lasted in production through to 1967. The brakes also became fully hydraulic, replacing the semi cable operated rear system that the Mk I had inherited from the A35.

Engines

* 1958–1961 - 948 cc "A-Series" I4, 34 hp (25 kW) at 4750 rpm and 50 ft·lbf (68 Nm) at 2000 rpm
* 1961–1962 - 948 cc "A-Series" I4, 37 hp (28 kW) at 5000 rpm and 50 ft·lbf (68 Nm) at 2500 rpm
* 1962–1967 - 1098 cc "A-Series" I4, 48 hp (36 kW) at 5100 rpm and 60 ft·lbf (81 Nm) at 2500 rpm

Innocenti

Innocenti also produced A40s under licence from BMC. They began producing knock-down kit versions of the A40 in 1960 but soon progressed to produce the entire car in Italy. Innocenti's A40 Berlina and Combinata corresponded to the saloon and Countryman versions of the Austin A40 Farina.

The cars began using the larger 1098 cc engine in 1962, being renamed A40S at that time. Innocenti also designed a new single-piece rear door for the Combinata. This top-hinged door used struts to hold it up over a wide cargo opening and was a true hatchback — a model never developed in the home (United Kingdom) market. 67,706 Innocenti A40 and A40S cars were produced.

References

External links

* [http://www.austinmemories.com Austin Memories]
* [http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/buyers_guide_a40.htm A40 Farina Buyers Guide] Advice on buying the A40 Farina, at oldclassiccar.
* [http://www.austin-rover.co.uk/index.htm?innia40f.htm The unofficial Austin-Rover site section on the Farina A40]
* [http://www.aronline.co.uk/a40buyingf.htm The unofficial Austin-Rover site buyers' guide on the Farina A40]
* [http://www.a40farinaclub.org/ The A40 Farina Club based in the UK]