1962 Austin A40

BMC Farina series (Saloon), 1958-1971

The BMC Farina series was in production from 1958-1971. Styled by Pininfarina, it is a front-engine, rear wheel drive saloon and estate range seating up to five adults.

The Farina, in concept, was wise. In the mid-1950s, BMC had an eclectic middle range of cars spanning the Austin Cambridge, Morris Oxford, Wolseley 15/50, MG Magnette and Riley RME. These five cars had five different bodyshells, only 2 of which shared parts - and used different drivetrains. By using one body and one drivetrain in different specifications to replace all five, BMC could save money on tooling, buy parts in bulk, and pacify dealer networks who were brand-loyal to the last. First to launch was the Wolseley 15/60 in 1958, followed by the Austin A55 Cambridge, Morris Oxford Series V, MG Magnette III and Riley 4/68. A facelift in 1961 brought smaller fins and bigger engines to the Austin A60 Cambridge, Morris Oxford Series VI, MG Magnette IV, Wolseley 16/60 and Riley 4/72 models. All were saloons, save for the Austin and Morris which also came in estate form.

Replacing the Farina proved difficult, as BMC was in the middle of its unusual relationship with Alec Issigonis. Firstly, the Landcrab series was deemed too large to replace the Farina. The Austin Maxi arguably replaced the estates, while the Morris Marina was deemed a fit replacement for the Morris Oxford and MG Magnette. Wolseley buyers gravitated toward the Landcrab models, while MG and Riley buyers were effectively subsumed by British Leyland's Rover and Triumph 2000 series. It is ironic that a range designed to harmonise a messy part of BMC's portfolio was succeeded in such a clumsy manner.

Rivalling the Farina was a task most mainstream manufacturers set in period. Rootes arguably did it best with the Audax range, where Hillman Minx and Super Minx, Singer Gazelle and Vogue, Sunbeam Rapier and Humber Sceptre targeted most models within the Farina range as effective alternatives. Ford's Cortina, Classic and Corsair also offered alternatives, as did the Vauxhall Victor F-type. Today, you might also consider one of the many models BMC used to try to replace the Farina, including the Landcrab, Maxi and Morris Marina.