Description
H&H Classic Auction @ The Imperial War Museum, Duxford/ Cambridgeshire
9th October, 2024 13:00
1950 Austin A40 Devon
No Reserve
Registration No: JNP 570
Chassis No: GS2501760
MOT: Exempt
A clean example that was subject to a comprehensive overhaul in the late 80's / early 90's
Floor gear change example
Sporting a delightful original 'special order' interior
Subject to recent cylinder head overhaul and attention to the bodywork
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 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).
First registered on the 29th July 1950, ‘JNP 570’ is a rare example of an Austin A40 Devon, that was supplied from new in the attractive colour scheme of Black over a special order Grey interior with a rare smiths clock rear-view mirror and a floor-change gearbox. Little is known of the early history of the Austin; however it has been evidently very well looked after and has retained much of its original interior even through a comprehensive body restoration during the late 1980’s / early 1990’s.
Purchased by the vendor in 2015, ‘JNP 570’ has been cherished as part of a small private collection and has been maintained impeccably throughout his period of ownership. Recent works include a cylinder head overhaul during which hardened valve seats were fitted so that the car could comfortably be run on unleaded petrol and the front of the body received much attention to the metalwork and paint.
Now to be offered at No Reserve at our Duxford auction, the Austin is described as being in ‘very good’ order all round and will instantly transport any prospective owner back to an age when these now rare cars were de rigueur on the streets of Britain during the 1950’s.
