tuning the austin a40 farina

[harris66]

hi chaps, my lad has just bought his first project car, an austin a40 farina, now, as he has been brought up around avon park and santa pod all his life he wants to rebuild with a kind of mini gasser type how it was done in the 60s. so any body clued up on possible engines, axles etc that can be used, we don't mind fabricating mounts etc but don't really want to get into the realms of new chassis and cutting bulkheads etc, so, hot a series? any info appreciated ;D

A40 Farina? Ace!
Aren't they basically a Midget underneath? Plenty of 'hot' parts for them.

[harris66]

Aug 3, 2008 13:05:58 GMT @milfordcubicle said:

A40 Farina? Ace!
Aren't they basically a Midget underneath? Plenty of 'hot' parts for them.

this is what id like to find out as I know sod all about parts swapping etc, mmmmm the midget link sounds interesting...

A40's were basically rebodied A35's and so share their mechanical bits with them but also Sprites/Midgets as well.

How old's the A40? IIRC the pre-'61 Series One cars come with the hydraulic front/rod-operated rear brakes and 948cc lump from the A35, Series 2 cars (like the red one below) had full hydraulics, a slightly longer wheelbase and (as standard) 1098cc as fitted to the Morris Minor.



Whatever he decides to do to it he's in the right place for some serious inspiration/help. Get him to stick a Readers Rides thread up!!

[alistairk]

I'm trying not to buy one of these off a mate at the moment. Very cute little cars. Anything "gasser" like will require surgery. For a start you'll need to geta straight axle under the front and that means chopping and fabricating.

[simes]

There was a few articles recently in PPC magazine regarding the A40 Farina. Basically they fitted fuel injection to one; Upp'ed the power and reliability.

[HoTWire]

I saw one totally hammering around Castle Combe on Saturday.

Here it is :
mipaa.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/windowslivewritercarryingthebatonofbritishmotorsport-8695richardpostins2.jpg

Richard Postins is the driver I believe

[Seth]

Aug 4, 2008 7:45:21 GMT simes said:

There was a few articles recently in PPC magazine regarding the A40 Farina. Basically they fitted fuel injection to one; Upp'ed the power and reliability.

Practical Classics surely?

Anyhow, they look great all dressed up in a classic saloon race car suit. A baby drag car is surely going to need too much work?

As has been said, midgets are the place to look for swapable parts if the power is staying in reasonable realms.

For engines I guess you could swap in any of the "usual" A-series substitutes as have been done in Minors for years. Fiat Twin Cam (now rare though), K series.

If power goes up more than the BMC axle can handle I'd have thought a "built" EscortAnglia one would be about the right size?

[harris66]

well the little beastie is heading our way on wednsday so il take some pix and start a thread