For those of you who have read my blog about the Austin A40 restoration. You will be pleased to know that the old car is still going well with no problems, having said that I haven't used it much because the main weekly gathering I used the attend has never got going after Covid. If there are any readers interested in starting a group to meet somewhere in the Algarve area of Portugal I would be pleased to have your comments.

 I expect you think that the A40 restoration was complete but the rear bumper was still not good as it had been very rusty and I had to paint it silver. However, I recently found a new bumper - yes new old stock - for sale in Italy. The Italians made there own version of the A40 with various changes in detail and built by Innocenti, The rear bumper for their latest iteration of the marque had a bumper slightly different but still interchangeable so when I saw one advertised I was sure to get it bought and fitted. Looks so much better now and I've made some new friends in Italy and had a lot of likes from there as well.

 Since the last post on this Blog the engine has been rebuilt with one or two minor tweeks and an augmented cooling system to counter the hot weather here in sunny Algarve. I am pleased to report that all is well, the A40 goes really quick and has passed the annual inspection every year since completion in 2016.

This year has been different as there have been no meetings to attend so the old car has not travelled much.I am looking forward to the end of the pandemic so that I can be active at Classic Car meets once more and will have more to tell you.

A40 Farina Restoration. More News.

Here is a picture of the painted engine bay, not finished yet but will give you an idea.

And some of the front suspension and brakes which have been completely overhauled with new parts as necessary. The green engine paint on the new brake drums was chosen for its heat resistant properties.

When time permits I'll be moving on to the next phase. Keep watching this space.

Inside floor and dash - what a difference a coat of paint makes. Wiring loom protected by plastic, the sock on the steering column is to avoid painful head collisions!

Back axle - cleaned painted and overhauled, the brakes have also been done - note the new copper pipes.

Finally for now a view of the painted underside. These images posted on 3rd June.


Time passes quickly, its now the end of October and at last the A40 is in primer. Many hours spent getting off the old paint - at least two resprays in 2-pack epoxy to remove. Paint stripper won't touch it so it was down to abrading it off and, in many places, by hand. Counted up to 11 previous coats on the worst bits. Here are some more pictures.

Had to push the car out to turn it round for the next stage.












What you can see is the old paint plus
areas of stopper (yellow) over repaired bits.

Under all the filler the boot lid was not only rotten but also previously repaired. You can just make out the welding line, this was also rusted.

Due to the help of the A40 Farina owners club I was able to purchase a new old stock boot lid from England. Thanks to those who helped with this.

Finally in grey cellulose primer, you can see the rather cramped conditions I'm working in. Topcoat to follow, weather permitting.



July 2015  No posts for a long time but I have busy. Here are the latest pictures to hand. Pretty well all done except for the doors.

Original upholstery not too bad. The grey cotton slip covers are to protect from further deterioration.

What is left of the original tool kit.

A40 Farina Finished

This project has now been completed at last. The car is now fully functional and
legal to use. It has been a long and frustrating process, waiting for parts to arrive from the UK mostly, but worth all the effort as I've saved this car from the scrap man and made a thoroughly useable Classic Car which is already much admired and has been the subject of articles in the Owner's club magazines of both the Austin Farina Club and the A35 Owner's Club. Here are the final pictures of the finished article so it just remains for me to say - enjoy your motoring.

A40 restoration update

A40 Restoration

As promised an update on progress since my last post.
The welding has finally been completed, including all the bits I have discovered since delving more deeply into layers of filler and rust.

The right hand rear wing to back of sill section was full of filler, including an old stainless steel pan-scourer and this is all that was left after cutting it all out.

This sequence of pictures shows the reconstruction process.

The left hand rear wasn't quite so bad.

The parts both sides at the rear of the back wheels.

The rear cross panel, under the boot lid was stuffed with filler so I had to make and weld a new piece.

Making the curvy bits at the ends was the most difficult task

Finally, after removing the bolt-on front valance, the cross-member was found to be rusted out so I had to make a new one of these as well.

Since taking these photos I have turned my attention to the engine bay and am well on the way to finishing the repainting and reassembly of under bonnet parts.
Pictures of this to follow, watch this space and add your comments.