This 1966 Austin A40 Farina is presently set up for running historic rallies, a task this small rear driver should be well suited to. Now running a larger Morris Marina engine and other competition oriented modifications, this truncated coupe could prove a viable competitor. Find it here on eBay in Warwick, Warwickshire, England for 14k GBP (~$21,400 USD today) OBO.

From some angles this car recalls a Mini, though where that car was a break from automotive tradition, the A40 Farina was very old fashioned under the skin. This rear wheel drive model is not a hatchback as the shape suggests, and the car finally received fully hydraulic brakes in the 1960s. This example appears quite tidy throughout, with no obvious damage. The tiny Minilites backed with red mudflaps complete the rally look.

Inside, the car appears largely standard and features a roll bar behind the seats. Some extra instrumentation has been added, in addition to a rally clock for the passenger side. The floors are bare, and paper floormats in place in the photos could hide surprises. The steering wheel looks like an MGB item.

Motivation comes from one of the most derided British cars of the era, the Morris Marina. Though a 1275 A-series was the smallest engine available in that car, it provides a valuable increase in displacement over the 1098 available in the A40 Farina. Modifications to this one include a performance cam, Weber 45 DCOE carb and a disc brake conversion from an MG Midget. A reconditioned gearbox is noted as well. Documentation back to the 1960s is included with the car. Suspension modifications are not mentioned.

Compact, inexpensive and made of parts that are relatively easy to come by, this one could prove to be an excellent choice for a vintage rallying newcomer.