Austin A40 Somerset Coupe

Click Here for Full Screen Image - Click Here to Download Image

In 1952 Austin launched a facelift version of the A40 to replace the ageing Devon which had first appeared in 1947. Carrying on with the English counties theme, the new car was christened the Somerset.

Aimed mainly at the export market, the A40 Somerset shared its curvy, Transatlantic body shape with the much larger A70 Hereford, the American theme continuing on the inside with column-change gears, a front bench seat and an umbrella handbrake lever. The 1,200cc straight-four pushrod engine from the Devon was retained, although slightly uprated to give 42bhp and a 74mph top speed.

Although the vast majority were four-door saloons, a two-door Coupe version was also offered with a most attractive drophead body made by Carbodies of Coventry. The interior had separate front seats that folded forward to give access to the rear, while the ingenious soft top could be raised in three separate positions depending on the degree of snugness desired.

First registered in June 1954, this Coupe still wears its original (transferable) number plates with the Bradford-issued number KUN 464. It has had just three owners from new according to the V5C, the vendor acquiring it a couple of years ago from a gent who had owned it for 33 years, treating it to a body-off restoration when he acquired it in 1984.

While the car could now be improved cosmetically (the paint has lost its lustre and the front seats are in need of some TLC) the important oily bits are all in fine fettle – the engine has been fully rebuilt with new pistons, reground crank etc. and is still running in, a new clutch has been fitted, the electrics converted to alternator charging and the brakes fully rebuilt and upgraded with servo assistance. A new hood has also been fitted with a glass rear screen, the carpets have been renewed and a tow bar has been fitted which the vendor has used to take his period caravan to local shows.

Starting, driving and stopping well when we were treated to a test drive on the occasion of our visit, it comes with many old MOTs and tax discs back to 1985, an original A40 handbook and notes detailing the restorative works carried out to date. Eminently usable as it is, this rare and handsome drophead could be improved over time as desired, although we like it just as it is and it would be a shame to lose that ‘oily rag’ patina.