• Hi Guest!
    You can help ensure that British Car Forum (BCF) continues to provide a great place to engage in the British car hobby! If you find BCF a beneficial community, please consider supporting our efforts with a subscription.
    There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this gawd-aweful banner
Tips
Tips

How many of you have or had an Austin A40 Somerset

Share this page

Not a lot of them around these boards, so, please, stay and keep us posted. I am not actually aware of any - but there are a couple of A30's. That said, I don't know if you have come across Joe Lightfoot in Picton ON? He has a bunch of (mostly too far gone to restore) cars in his backyard and, I believe has a number of A40's if you need parts.
 
Brucekoukalaka said:
These little cars seem to be as rare as hen's teeth!!!
Click to expand...

They are, partly rust, partly the fact that they were never remarkable (or worth preserving back in the day) and, now it costs far more to restore than they will ever be worth. I know a few years ago there was a Somerset Convertible (I think even for sale) at British Car Day at Bronte. I remember someone commenting that it would be lovely restored if someone didn't mind that there would never be appropriate return on investment.

BTW - you have maybe seen this picture - dumping NEW A40's at sea - from Victoria.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/45379817@N08/7273474918/
 
I know that if you were to poll across Canada (and the United States) simply through the various networks of the British Saloon Car Club of Canada, you would find quite a few around still, you aren't as alone as you think you are...
 
Brucekoukalaka said:
I've just applied to the British Car Club of Canada and am waiting on my membership approval.
Click to expand...

I am a member, and I still think they are thin on the ground, which makes them even more interesting in my eyes.
 
Brucekoukalaka said:
I'm envious of yours, as you have the floor shift and a great grill! However mine does have a running engine.
Click to expand...

I am not sure where the transmission came from. While cleaning it up to see what I have to do I noticed that the floor was roughly cut around the transmission so it is a transplant from something else. It seems to be a three speed so not sure what it is from. I have a four speed from an MGB so will put that in and fix the floor appropriately. I plan on adding an 1800 to it as well. :encouragement:
 
In 1966, when I was about 15 years old, I bought one for $20 and used it for a "woods car" to drive around (illegally) in the South Jersey Pine Barrens. Long gone, but great memories. The A40 engine burned a lot of oil. I was always begging for used oil from my Dad or neighbors (after they did an oil change). The car never got actual "new" oil. One time, we couldn't find any oil so I went searching in my father's shed. I found "oil-based" paint. I figured, "What the heck....better than nothing!". The exhaust smelled awful for quite a while after that. Eventually, the engine spit a rod and piston out. I pulled the pan and cleaned it out as best as I could. Then I re-sealed the oil pan with sheet metal, canvas, self-tap screws, caulk and probably whatever. I disconnected the valves on the dead cylinder. After that, it was a "triple" instead of a "four". It leaked more than ever, so I would put an old bucket under it to catch the dripping oil.....and then pour it back in. I still have the rod that escaped from that engine. It's a paper-weight on my desk. Here's pictures of it from back in the day:
a-40_turn.jpg
nial_a40-2.jpg
nial_a40-4.jpg
 
aeronca65t said:
In 1966, when I was about 15 years old, I bought one for $20 and used it for a "woods car" to drive around (illegally) in the South Jersey Pine Barrens. Long gone, but great memories. The A40 engine burned a lot of oil. I was always begging for used oil from my Dad or neighbors (after they did an oil change). The car never got actual "new" oil. One time, we couldn't find any oil so I went searching in my father's shed. I found "oil-based" paint. I figured, "What the heck....better than nothing!". The exhaust smelled awful for quite a while after that. Eventually, the engine spit a rod and piston out. I pulled the pan and cleaned it out as best as I could. Then I re-sealed the oil pan with sheet metal, canvas, self-tap screws, caulk and probably whatever. I disconnected the valves on the dead cylinder. After that, it was a "triple" instead of a "four". It leaked more than ever, so I would put an old bucket under it to catch the dripping oil.....and then pour it back in. I still have the rod that escaped from that engine. It's a paper-weight on my desk. Here's pictures of it from back in the day:
a-40_turn.jpg
nial_a40-2.jpg
nial_a40-4.jpg
Click to expand...
Not a bad looking A40 Devon ;)
 
Currently have two, a four dour sedan and a coupe. Both in need of a lot of work. The sedan is sacrificing itself for the coupe.53austfrt.jpg
Both engines were seized so looking for options.
Cheers
Ross
Calgary
 
@RVM you might try some ATF mixed with Acetone 50/50 dumped down the spark plug holes and leave it for a few days and then trying a bar to work the crank back and forth a little at a time. I've saved engines in the past this way. After I get my 3rd here I can see if I have 2 engines that will rotate (I have 1 now)If so I will probably let one go as I intend to restore one, rod one and use the third for parts.
 
Back
Top