Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

ben_minor_1963 · Joined: 27 Aug 2013 Posts: 14

Does any one own/owned a Austin A40 somerset. I would like to know they are like to own,drive, parts avalibility etc. As i am interested in owning one

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22780 Location: UK

Hi,

"Brucekoukalaka" in the Austin section has a couple of threads running about his Somersets.

I had one 11-12 years ago. It drove ok, once I'd sussed out the column gearchange, it rolled a bit on the bends but it was comfortable enough and not bad to work on. Mechanically it was pretty robust although the head gasket can go on them fairly regularly, wheel cylinders aren't the cheapest things to buy either if you need them but otherwise most parts are available if you hunt around.

Best advice is to buy the best you can, even good ones aren't that expensive and long term could be a better bet than buying something scruffy needing a load of work.

hth, RJ
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Ashley · Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 1426 Location: Near Stroud, Glos

I paid about £11 for a Devon in the sixties and drove 40,000 miles in it with very few faults, even sold it for £15 when I got fed up with it. I loved it and couldn't believe how reliable it was. The big ends rattle on left hand corners took,but they never went.

I hope you find one and enjoy it, but don't expect much more than 55mph cruising and 70 float out.

Billf · Joined: 01 Jul 2011 Posts: 202 Location: North Cyprus.

Yes I bought a bit of a clapped out A40 Somerset restored it and ran it for about 5 years, only sold it because we left the UK. Stick shift a bit of a twerp at times, never hardly used 1st gear as it pulls away in second OK unless you are on a steep hell. Easy to work on. No speed machine though, but plods along OK.

If you live in the UK. best to join the Austin Counties Car Club. http://www.psimmonds.org.uk/

Lots of great and helpful lads in this club, and they have a great spares department. and you can go to the annual rallies. They have local meetings around the country as well.

Have Fun.

Rootes75 · Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2013 4:55 pm Post subject:

When I was first starting out with classic cars bout 20 years ago a chap in our local garage offered me 2 Devons for restoration, both needing resto but both stored inside for a long time. He wanted £500 the pair! I instead went for a rare 2dr Ford 7W advertised in our local paper for the same price! Still like the look of the Devon over the Somerset.

gresham flyer · Joined: 06 Sep 2008 Posts: 1435

You can quite easily fit the MGB 1800cc engine in a Somerset or Devon if you do not want to be too radical.
Obviously uprate the rear diff and front brakes at the same time.

It would make the car more usable.

I have a standard spec Devon, really good on B roads and ok on A roads as long as the Sunday delivery lorries or 4x4`s towing enormous caravan`s do not tail gate you.
45-50 is as fast I take the old girl.

G.f