1950 Austin A40

The Austin A40 Sports was introduced in late 1949 and was a four-seat open tourer that was based in the floorpan of the Austin A40 Devon, and an engine that drove the rear wheels. The body was created by Jensen of West Bromwich and was deliberately intended to resemble their 4-Litre Interceptor. The Sports had a strong following for those who wanted a stylish yet practical four-seat convertible. Production ended in 1953.

The Austin A40 Sports made its debut at the 1949 Earls Court Motor Show where it won considerable praise for its styling by Eric Neale of Jensen. The worm-and-roller steering, independent front coil suspension and semi-elliptic rear leaf springs were all from the A40 Devon. The hydro-mech braking used larger drums and the chassis was strengthened in order to accommodate the aluminium Sports coachwork. The bodies were made by Jensen and transported to Longbridge to be fitted with a twin carburettor version of the Devon’s engine. The first GD2 models of 1949-1951 boasted the Devon’s fascia and a floor-mounted gear lever while the later GD3s from August 1951 onwards had a column change, a new dashboard and a fully hydraulic brake system.

The engine for the Austin A40 Sports was the 1.2-litre OHV unit of the Devon and Dorset, with the addition of dual SU Carburettors and larger inlet valves, and a four-speed gearbox with no synchromesh on the bottom ratio.

The Austin A40 Sports offered elegant coachwork and a top speed of 80 mph, which was respectable by the standards of the 1950s. One popular modification is to fit the Riley 1.5 B-series engine for extra performance and refinement and many owners prefer the GD2’s floor gear change to the later column shift although A40s so-equipped are now exceedingly rare.

One challenge to ownership is finding an Austin A40 Sports – few are believed to survive – and while the outer aluminium panels can survive the years, as they are attached to a steel frame this often results in an oxidisation process. The chassis itself is vulnerable to rust, so it is essential to inspect the bulkhead, the sills and beneath the rear seat. Water ingress into the cabin can be another challenge as the hood was not renowned for its efficiency even when the Sports was new. In terms of parts, the grille, the wheels and many interior fittings are unique to the A40 Sports but bumpers and over riders are shared with the Devon.

The Austin A40 Sports competed against the Ford Consul Mk 1 Convertible and the Hillman Minx Mk V and Mk VI Drophead.