Austin A40 Farina

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Austin A40 Farina
Manufacturer BMC
Production 1958-1967
342,162
Predecessor Austin A35
Successor Austin 1100
Body style(s) 2-door saloon
3-door hatchback
Layout FR layout
Mk I
Production 1958-1961
169,612
Engine(s) 948 cc A-Series I4
Wheelbase 83.5 in (2121 mm)[1]
Length 144.25 in (3664 mm)
Width 59.5 in (1511 mm)
Curb weight 1764 lb (800 kg) approx
Fuel capacity 6 imp gal (27 L/7 US gal)
Designer Pininfarina
Mk II
Production 1961-1967
172,550
Engine(s) 948 cc A-Series I4
(1961 - 1962)
1098 cc A-Series I4
(1962 - 1967)
Wheelbase 87 in (2210 mm)[1]
Length 145 in (3683 mm)
Width 59.5 in (1511 mm)
Height 57.5 in (1461 mm)
Curb weight 1764 lb (800 kg) approx
Fuel capacity 7 imp gal (32 L/8 US gal)
Designer Pininfarina
See Austin A40 for other (previous) Austin A40 models.

The Austin A40 Farina was a compact car introduced by the British Motor Corporation in 1958. It was designed by Pininfarina of Italy. The A40 designation had been used on previous Austins, but the "Farina" suffix was unique to this car.

The A40 Farina replaced the Austin A35, and was then a relatively modern car, with an unusual almost notchback-like shape. The standard car was a saloon. The Countryman was a small estate version which had a horizontally split rear opening, i.e. with top-hinged upper door and bottom-hinged lower door. This might today be considered more like a small hatchback. It shared the 948 cc A-Series straight-4 used in other Austins including its A35 predecessor.

An A40 Farina Mark II was introduced in 1961. It had a longer wheelbase to increase the space for passengers in the back seats, and the front grill and dashboard were redesigned. The Mark II had more power (37 hp/28 kW) but was otherwise similar mechanically. This version lasted in production through to 1967. The brakes also became fully hydraulic, replacing the semi cable operated rear system that the Mk I had inherited from the A35.

The A40 went under the name "Farina" in all countries but Sweden, where it got the name "Futura". The mix-up with a common type of brown sugar with a similar name, was believed to be unavoidable.

Engines:

  • 1958–1961 - 948 cc A-Series I4, 34 hp (25 kW) at 4750 rpm and 50 ft·lbf (68 Nm) at 2000 rpm
  • 1961–1962 - 948 cc A-Series I4, 37 hp (28 kW) at 5000 rpm and 50 ft·lbf (68 Nm) at 2500 rpm
  • 1962–1967 - 1098 cc A-Series I4, 48 hp (36 kW) at 5100 rpm and 60 ft·lbf (81 Nm) at 2500 rpm

Contents

[edit] Austin A40 Gallery

Austin A40 MkI

Austin A40 MkII

rear of Austin A40 MkI

Countryman Austin A40 MkII

Austin A40 MkII Countryman

[edit] Innocenti

Innocenti also produced A40s under licence from BMC. They began producing knock-down kit versions of the A40 in 1960 but soon progressed to produce the entire car in Italy. Innocenti's A40 Berlina and Combinata corresponded to the saloon and Countryman versions of the Austin A40 Farina.

The cars began using the larger 1098 cc engine in 1962, being renamed A40S at that time. Innocenti also designed a new single-piece rear door for the Combinata. This top-hinged door used struts to hold it up over a wide cargo opening and was a true hatchback — a model never developed in the home (United Kingdom) market. 67,706 Innocenti A40 and A40S cars were produced.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Culshaw; Horrobin (1974). Complete Catalogue of British Cars. London: Macmillan. ISBN 0-333-16689-2. 

[edit] External links

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