1951 Austin A40 Sedan

The cheeky little A40 was Austin's replacement for the evergreen Seven and the first all-new model to arrive in the aftermath of World War 2. Despite the traditional separate chassis build method, the new A40 had modern styling influenced by contemporary American cars, independent front suspension and the first application of a new engine, the overhead valve unit that would become known around the world as the B-series. Displacing 1.2-litres in the A40 and developing some 40bhp, power was delivered to the rear wheel s via a floor-mounted four-speed gearbox (later cars switched to a column change). At the time of the A40s introduction in 1947, two models, the four-door Devon and two-door Dorset, were launched and Austin - along with the rest of British industry - were busily exporting as many as the Americans and colonies like Australia could take. Indeed, more than 80 per cent of A40s built were sold overseas and a staggering 633,861 were made in total. Between 1947 and 1956, when production of the A40 officially ceased, various improvements were carried out including hydraulic brakes for 1951 and the introduction of the Sports model. Today the A40 is an excellent proposition as a first classic, with simple, reliable mechanicals, plenty of old world charm and good spares availability.