Makes › Austin › A40 Sports · Coachbuilt · 1950–1953 Rare
Austin
A40 Sports
Jensen-bodied aluminium sports tourer on A40 Devon mechanicals
Still being researched: identification guide. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.
Photo: Alexander Migl · CC BY-SA 4.0
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 4,011 Built
- Years
- 1950–1953
- Engine
- Inline four, OHV · 1,200 cc / 1.2 LFactory: 1,200 cc
- Power
- 37.3 kW / 50.7 PSFactory: 50 hp · converted
- Top speed
- Not yet verified
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Eric Neale (Jensen)
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- Not yet verified
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The A40 Sports was a four-seat Jensen-bodied tourer on the Austin Devon chassis, built in the early 1950s. It was a large contract for Jensen and the revenue helped the firm launch its later models. It also grew out of Jensen's need for Austin's 4-litre engine for the Interceptor.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
Photos
Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.
Austin A40 Sports (Wikimedia Commons: Austin A40 Sports)
Photo: Alexander Migl · CC BY-SA 4.0
Austin A40 Sports (Wikimedia Commons: Austin A40 Sports)
Photo: Alexander Migl · CC BY-SA 4.0
Austin A40 Sports (Wikimedia Commons: Austin A40 Sports)
Photo: Sicnag · CC BY 2.0
Austin A40 Sports (Wikimedia Commons: Austin A40 Sports)
Photo: allen watkin from London, UK · CC BY-SA 2.0
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02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total model productioncars produced | 4,0111,2,3 | Factory production | Registry reported |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
Launched at the 1950 Motor Show, the car was styled by Jensen designer Eric Neale, who shared many parts with the Interceptor. Austin chassis were driven from Longbridge, bodied by Jensen in a new factory at Pensnett, then returned for finishing. Two types were made: the GD2 with the Devon floor change (to July 1951) and the GD3 with Somerset column change (August 1951 to June 1953). It was dropped in 1953 after the Somerset drophead appeared.
In 1951 Austin's PR chief took one on a three-week world trip ending at the Festival of Britain to help export sales.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard A40 Sports.
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | Inline four, OHV2 Registry reported |
| Displacement | 1,200 cc / 1.2 LFactory: 1,200 cc4 Independently researched |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Fuel system | Twin SU carburettors2 Registry reported |
| Power | 37.3 kW / 50.7 PSFactory: 50 hp · converted4 Independently researched |
| Power at | 5,000 rpm4 Independently researched |
| Torque | 82.7 NmFactory: 61 lb-ft · converted4 Independently researched |
| Torque at | 3,000 rpm4 Independently researched |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Gears | Not yet verified |
| Driven wheels | Not yet verified |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Not yet verified |
| Rear suspension | Not yet verified |
| Brakes | Not yet verified |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Bodies built by Jensen, largely aluminium, fitted to Austin chassis1 Independently researched |
| Materials | Largely aluminium bodies2 Registry reported |
| Wheelbase | 2,350 mmFactory: 92.5 in · converted4 Independently researched7 ft 8.5 in as stated. |
| Length | 4,046 mmFactory: 159.3 in · converted4 Independently researched13 ft 3.3 in as stated. |
| Width | 1,550 mmFactory: 61 in · converted4 Independently researched5 ft 1 in as stated. |
| Height | 1,450 mmFactory: 57 in · converted4 Independently researched4 ft 9 in as stated. |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | Not yet verified |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| Fuel tank | Not yet verified |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
The Austin A40 Sports Level B Austin Counties Car Club
- Total production of both A40 Sports types was 4,011
- Jensen then fitted the largely aluminium bodies
-
2
The Austin A40 Sports Level B Austin Counties Car Club
- Total production of both A40 Sports types was 4,011
- A40 1200cc OHV engine
- boosted by the addition of twin SU carburettors
- Jensen then fitted the largely aluminium bodies
- 3
-
4
Austin A40 Sports Level C Austin Memories (John Baker; Wayback capture) · 2009-01-05
- Engine 1200 cc 50 bhp at 5,000 rpm
- 1200 cc 50 bhp at 5,000 rpm
- 50 bhp at 5,000 rpm
- Max torque 61lbs/ft at 3,000 rpm
- 61lbs/ft at 3,000 rpm
- Wheel Base 7ft 8.5ins
- Length 13ft 3.3ins
- Width 5ft 1ins
- Height 4ft 9ins
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