1965 Austin A40 Competition Saloon
Registration no. BDV 660C
Chassis no. A.A259-125505

This Austin A40 competition saloon was built new for the 2013 season using a 1964-manufactured example. So far, it has raced successfully twice, finishing 3rd in class at the Oulton Park full circuit in May (as well as winning the 'best presented' award) and 3rd in class again, and 12th overall out of a 36 car entry at the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit in July. The heart of any car is its engine and this A40 is fitted with a full race A-Series unit bored out to 1,330cc and breathing via twin 1¾" SU carburettors conforming to the Goodwood St Mary's Trophy regulations. Other specification highlights include a big-valve MED Engineering cylinder head, Kent 'scatter' pattern camshaft and an LCB exhaust system. Power is transmitted to a close-ratio, straight-cut gearbox and thence to the rear wheels via competition half shafts. The car also features a full Rae Davis Racing suspension set-up. Duplicating the arrangement used by last year's Goodwood Revival race-winning A40, it includes a rear 'A' frame, 1" front anti-roll bar, competition front springs, lowered rear springs, additional front suspension triangulation, and up-rated shock absorbers at front and rear. The wheels are Minilite-style aluminium alloy shod with Dunlop 'L' section 450 racing tyres. Other noteworthy features include a full internal roll cage with door bars, full harness seat belts (new this year), plumbed-in fire extinguisher, battery cut-out as per MSA regulations, and an external Aston fuel filler cap. Finished in Primrose Yellow with red vinyl interior, the car is described as in generally very good/excellent condition, having contested only two races since completion earlier this year. Currently taxed and with Swansea V5C document, 'BDV 660C' comes with an only recently expired MoT (June 2013). The vendor tells us that a return to road legal tyres and the refitting of a horn would be all that would be required for the car to pass the next test. Here is an exciting opportunity to acquire an entry-level historic racing saloon possessing race-winning potential in the right hands.