austin a40 somerset chassis swap/upgrade

[stevesanchez88]

I recently got a austin a40 somerset and started restoring it. I'm not going original. What I want to do is get disk brakes all around. I'm swapping out the engine I don't know what kind but I'm thinking of a 22r. i would like to upgrade the front suspension. And might have to swap out the rear axle. Seems like a lot to do. Any advice? Or would it be better to buy a whole newer chassis with newer suspension, rear differential ect. ... and of course I'm trying to keep the cost as low as possible.

 

[aeronca65t]

That car uses a "B" series BMC engine. The MGB uses a newer version of the same engine. Also, that thing uses mechanical rear brakes.

So here's my opinion........

I would get a rotted out MGB and swap in the engine, trans, axle etc. You could probably adapt the MGB front brakes (disk) without too much fuss.

Much of it will be nearly bolt in and you really won't have to cut it up or re-engineer a ton of stuff.

And it will retain a lot of its value and charm.

An A40 is a cruiser......it's not really meant for road racing or drag racing. A decent MGB powertrain will suit its "character" really well.

 

[DART]

And as I remember, there are disk conversions for the rear axle. I have an MG rear in the SP because it is beefier, and have Wilwood disks & Ford eBrake.