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1960 Austin A40 Farina Mk1
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Rick
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Joined: 27 Apr 2005
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Location: UK

PostPosted: Wed May 27, 2020 4:26 pm    Post subject: 1960 Austin A40 Farina Mk1 Reply with quote

Hi all,

Somewhat belatedly, I thought I should start a thread about the A40, given that there is some progress on its rejuvenation being made, as and when time allows.

Anyone who's been around here for a while, will know about this car (there's been a write-up on the main site for a while https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/my_car_a40.htm).

It was bought new by relatives of ours in 1960, and remained with them until 1987 when it passed over to us.



I remember riding in it during visits to the first owners in the 1970s, being collected from, or taken to, the local railway station. Fast forward to '87 and I took (and passed) my test in it, then drove the old girl as my first (roadworthy) car to school during my A-level studies, followed by regular use for commuting to work and further study etc.

By the mid-1990s, various aspects of it were showing their age, so it was retired, everyday duties were taken up by a Mk3 Spitfire, followed by a Volvo 121 then various other jalopies.

Over the years I've been on the look-out for parts to stash away for its long-term hoped-for restoration. Other cars and projects have come along and have pushed the A40 further back down the priorities line, however with its 60th birthday being celebrated this year, I've decided that I really must get on with it.

The plan is to update this thread as things progress, and also include links to relevant Youtube uploads which will also feature the A40 in them. The vids are being done, in part, to act as a diary for myself of work done to date, and also as a reminder of how things will have to fit back together again.

An introduction to the car and its history in more detail may be seen here:
https://youtu.be/TFnjW-vGfqc

While further recent progress on its stripdown can be seen in the following video:
https://youtu.be/dzm-s3cT1Z0

More news soon.

RJ
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Rick
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PostPosted: Tue Jun 09, 2020 2:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The videos will follow progress in more detail, but a quick resume of activities so far. Progress ebbs and flows, and has to fit in around other things going on right now (home-schooling being a biggie).

The plan is to strip down the A40 sufficiently to get work done, without removing everything in one go and being surrounded by a mountain of parts. I'd prefer to do the back end, then move forwards.

Firstly, boot off. It's gone in the lower LH corner and might be a fiddle to repair.



Glass front, rear, and rear side now removed, to save them from flying sparks and also to reveal any tinworm behind the rubber seals.



Care needed to preserve this early 1960s oil change sticker



Rear lights and bumper also off by this point. Fortunately the copious amounts of Waxoyl that I used to spread around underneath, and almost pour down inside the rear wings, has helped. The only rot is in areas that were already exhibiting signs of corrosion when we received the car in the 1980s - ie fore and aft of the rear wheels, where A40s tend to go anyway. The bootfloor and the rear valance, seams etc, are good overall.

Any areas of surface rust were rubbed down and given a quick treatment just to slow down any corrosion.



While sat having a brew, I noticed that both rear wings had a slight ding in them, from the inside, so I dug out a few hammers and gently tapped them back to shape.



Time to have a proper dig at the crusty lower corners of the o/s/r wing. Note the two NOS wings. The o/s one I've had "in stock" for a few years, the n/s wing is a more recent find. Together they'll offer up all the repair panels I'll need for the outer rear wings, and the remaining steel will suffice for any other repairs that are needed (so using BMC-sourced steel throughout).



Lower rear wing section sliced from the NOS wing, and offered up in place before final trimming. Handily, the quarter bumper mounting hole helps with alignment. There are repairs to do behind this section before it can go on - I also need to practice my welding as I've done none in recent years - the offcuts from the surplus areas of the new rear wings will come in handy for practice.



Both front and rear of the o/s back wheel now cut away to reveal a few minor repairs that are needed. Both repair sections have been cut from the new wing by this point.



I also removed the tank, with it out of the way I was able to confirm that the boot floor and spring hangers at both ends are rock solid, not something that can often be said with project A40s/A30s/A35s/Minors etc.

I'll be doing a new video shortly, but these photos describe much of what's gone on over the last couple of weeks.

RJ
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badhuis



Joined: 20 Aug 2008
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PostPosted: Tue Jun 09, 2020 4:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Excellent pictures. Thanks.
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Rick
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PostPosted: Tue Jun 09, 2020 4:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

badhuis wrote:
Excellent pictures. Thanks.


No problem, so long as people still want to read things, I'll continue to post Smile

RJ
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Ray White



Joined: 02 Dec 2014
Posts: 6282
Location: Derby

PostPosted: Sat Jun 13, 2020 7:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I like the look of that A40, Rick. I know you have a fair way to go with it but from the photos it looks very sound.

Keep up the good work!!
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consul 57



Joined: 09 Nov 2017
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Location: somerset

PostPosted: Sat Jun 13, 2020 7:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

great work,
do you have a jack for it?
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Rick
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PostPosted: Sun Jun 14, 2020 8:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

consul 57 wrote:
great work,
do you have a jack for it?


I think I have the original still, but I'll double-check, thanks Smile

RJ
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Rick
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PostPosted: Fri Jul 31, 2020 9:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Further digging at the back end has taken place on and off in recent times. The rot at the o/s/r corner appears to be confined to the lower wing edges, as expected. I've been chopping it out and recently let in some fresh metal (see full update https://youtu.be/rKqEtEurCEk).

Fortunately the spring hangers, rear valance, boot floor and inner wings are sound. I've begun to make repair panels using the NOS rear wings as donors, the entire wings don't need changing, just the lower edges, so it makes sense to use sections of the NOS pressings, that way I know they'll be the correct size and shape. I think.

Much of the original thick factory underseal is intact and sound, so whether I could leave that and just chip away any flakey areas, I'm not sure.

RJ
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bob2



Joined: 06 Dec 2007
Posts: 1727
Location: Malta

PostPosted: Fri Oct 23, 2020 7:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Good progress with the A40 and it does not look too bad actually.
With the mention of thick underseal, I tackled the hunter in the same manner, just wire brushed with my grinder the dubious areas and cleaned the rest, then after sanding down the surface rust, put some bilt hamber products on, primer, paint and some more underseal, then just painted the whole floor the same colour as the car.
It was still looking good enough after 10 years though if I had kept it, I intended going over it again as there was some slight chips and surface rust especially on the front underside but just minor things.
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Rick
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PostPosted: Fri Oct 23, 2020 8:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

bob2 wrote:
Good progress with the A40 and it does not look too bad actually.
With the mention of thick underseal, I tackled the hunter in the same manner, just wire brushed with my grinder the dubious areas and cleaned the rest, then after sanding down the surface rust, put some bilt hamber products on, primer, paint and some more underseal, then just painted the whole floor the same colour as the car.
It was still looking good enough after 10 years though if I had kept it, I intended going over it again as there was some slight chips and surface rust especially on the front underside but just minor things.


Yes I think that's the way to do it.

Good to see you back here again bob2

RJ
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bob2



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PostPosted: Mon Oct 26, 2020 8:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well thanks, was a tad too busy with other things this past year but never forgotten my oldies!
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