Austin A40 Countryman

ENGINE 1197cc/4-cyl/OHV POWER 40bhp@4300rpm TORQUE 59lb ft@2200rpm MAX SPEED 70mph 0-60MPH 38sec FUEL CONSUMPTION 26-33mpg TRANSMISSION RWD, four-speed manual MoT 12 months from purchase ODOMETER 57,792 miles

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?

We can safely say that the Countryman drives better than you might expect. The column gearchange is good and there’s synchromesh on the top three gears. The steering isn’t pin sharp but the car isn’t wandering around and cornering doesn’t cause too much fear. We’re not looking for performance with an Austin like this but the vehicle happily bounces along at 50mph with a bit more in reserve. The low gearing and reasonable torque are of benefit, especially in town. The ride is less harsh than you might imagine. Everything suggests that this Countryman is in good mechanical condition.

BODYWORK CHECK

The Countryman received a respray in the 1980s but the bodywork is otherwise original – with just a few bits of surface rust on the wings and door bottoms, plus the odd minor dent. The vehicle has survived well underneath, and doesn’t appear to have ever required welding. We couldn’t find any traces of filler either, and all the doors open and close as they should. The A- and B-posts look sound and the brightwork has survived surprising well. The tyres look good and the glass hasn’t any major scratches.

HOW’S THE INTERIOR?

The Countryman’s interior is completely original and, dare we say, unique. It has mellowed only gently and shows evidence of every scratch, ding and dent of many years as a local garage’s maid-of-all-work. The leather seats have survived well, except for some wear around the area on which countless drivers have sat. The door trims are ok and there’s still a strange webbed covering in the footwells. Luxury was not an intention of Austin when this interior was constructed. What we thought were armrests are in fact extra seating and the front seats, which tip up to provide access to the rear, have metal inserts along the top, like bus seats.

UNDER THE BONNET

The Austin benefitted from a Gold Seal engine, admittedly many years ago, but it nevertheless starts happily after a churn on the starter, and runs well. There was no sign of overheating. The engine bay is in the same deeply original and patinated condition as the rest of the vehicle. Look closely and you’ll find merely a few patches of surface rust. The radiator looks original and doesn’t leak. The plug leads and coil appear recent replacements. The gearbox works without problems and we could find no hint of suspension horrors.

THE CCW VIEW

This vehicle is unique and although the expression ‘patinated’ is over-used, no vehicle does it apply to more than this one. Apart from the respray the Austin is original and it bears the souvenirs of many years of honest use. It would be a shame to see this vehicle restored.

EXTERIOR Resprayed 30 years ago but some surface rust INTERIOR Original and generally serviceable MECHANICALS No obvious issues