Austin Devon pickup truck rebuild

Photos of a major restoration project taking place in the UK

Thanks to Alan, the owner of this A40 Devon pickup, who agreed to me reproducing the photographs of his classic truck in 'as found' condition, as part of my A40 Devon section on oldclassiccar. Many people would have been deterred from even trying to rescue this very tired Austin, but having seen some of the other trucks he has dragged from beyond the brink, I have no doubt at all that this classic A40, one of the rarer Austins from the 1950s, will be completed.

Austin A40 Pickup - grille and front end

Austin A40 Pickup - grille and front end

Judging by the photos, this pickup has been stored in very damp conditions, and has obviously taken its toll on all of the steel bodywork.

Austin A40 Pickup cab

No corner of the bodywork has escaped the attentions of the tin worm .. the only way to correct this level of deterioration will be a full stripdown, followed by an extensive rust-removal programme, probably employing the services of a sympathetic sand blaster to get into all the nooks and crannies.

Austin A40 Pickup - passenger side

The interior has really suffered at the hands of damp storage conditions. All the trim is showing damp damage, and all steel section are crusty. Despite being in such poor condition, good original Devon pickups are thin on the ground. Most have been scrapped long ago, and many survivors have either been hotrodded or fitted with ugly home-made rear pickup bodies, which never look as good as the original. @Hats off to Alan for rescuing this one!!

Austin A40 Pickup - seats and interior

The extent of welding required is further emphasised in this photograph, showing the rear load area on this Devon.

Austin A40 Pickup - rear load bay

Thanks for letting me show the pics here Alan! I first got in touch with Alan in 2005, as I sold his brother one of my Fordson pickup projects. Alan then bought a rough Ford van for himself, and sent me details of that. The A40 Pickup shown here is just one of the classic commercials he has rescued from a poorly state.

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