1951 Austin A40 Devon

Ending 10th May, 2023 19:50:00
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Single family ownership and only 18,700 miles from new
Acquired new after a letter interchange with Herbert Austin about the availability of cars in the United Kingdom
A notably nice example and recently benefitted from an engine overhaul
Supplied with a history file, medal from the 50th anniversary celebrations and fitted car cover
Introduced in 1947, the A40 was Austin's first 'clean sheet' post-WW2 family saloon design. Based on a sturdy chassis frame equipped with independent front suspension, a 'live' rear axle and four-wheel drum brakes, the newcomer was powered by a 1200cc OHV four-cylinder engine allied to a four-speed manual transmission. With some 40bhp on tap, it was reputedly capable of over 70mph. Once production was in full swing and the principal Devon (four-door) and Dorset (two-door) saloon models firmly established, other variants joined the A40 line-up including a Jensen-designed sports four-seater, 10cwt pick-up, 10cwt van and estate car (or 'Countryman' as it was known).

Frustrated by the challenges of acquiring a car in the early 1950s due to the number being supplied to export markets, the father-in-law of the vendor wrote to Herbert Austin to air his dismay, as he required a motorcar to visit his unwell daughter who was in hospital for several months. Promoting a response from Mr. Austin himself, he informed that there would be a A40 Devon ready to acquire from his local agents. Subsequently purchased from Smethwick Motors Ltd. of Smethwick, to whom it was registered new, on the 10th of August 1951, the owner changed jobs very shortly after from a police officer to a salesman in oil, and a company car was provided to Mr. T. Robins Esq. Claiming the role of special occasion use, the A40 travelled with him to Guernsey later in life. Passing to the son of Mr. Robins in 1994, and later, his wife, ‘PHA 961’ has been in the family ever since the initial purchase.

Covering a mere c.18,700 miles from new, the Austin has been well-maintained through its life, with the Devon having been lavished with a bodywork and paintwork restoration in the mid-1990s, shortly before attending the 50th anniversary of the model that was held at Longbridge. More recently, an engine overhaul has been completed in 2021 (with expenditure of over £8,000) which including uprating with an unleaded cylinder head. Supplied with a history file that comprises the original buff logbook and more recent logbooks, service manuals, numerous invoices relating to the expenditure, several previous MOT certificates, the books ‘Austin A40 Devon’ and ‘The Book of Austin’. Also accompanying are a fitted car cover, medal from the 50th anniversary celebrations, and Austin duster. This is a scarce opportunity to acquire a single-family ownership and very low mileage example.

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
[email protected]
07538 667452