Classic values & essential buying advice
FANCY A PUNT?
‘More runs than Mo Farah’s training plan’
I’m picking up on this bumper issue’s first cars and fathers’ theme – a joint effect that marked several turning points in my life. The car in question was a 1964 Austin A40 Farina. About as rough as you’d expect for something picked up for a mere £60 on a dark night in 1977. Holes in the floor, a stuck passenger door and a ‘drive-by’ respray in maroon with zero shine and more runs than Mo Farah’s training plan.
But to me it meant freedom. Both to take my girlfriend out and to go fishing wherever and whenever that I wanted. Three days later, the little Austin hauled me and my tackle to a famed Lea Valley venue. A great trip… until I got back in the car. There were no brakes, the pedal just went to the floor. Possessing the mechanical nous of our cat, I phoned dad. He wasn’t best pleased but came out and drove the A40 home on the handbrake. Letting me drive his Lancia Beta for the first time.
Dad knew that I had no money with which to pay a garage to fix it, so he changed my life. I was presented with a carrier bag of tools and told to get round to the library for a workshop manual. You could do that in those days. It took a while, but I replaced the dud rear cylinder, bled the brakes and was as proud as Punch. I had a new hobby, one that eventually led me to PC’s door.
Russ Smith has been following the classic car market for more than two decades and contributes to Practical Classics, Classic Car Weekly and Classic Cars.
Odd Triumphs
REVIEW
There was some interesting stuff in WB & Sons’ latest Newcastle sale, with over 71 per cent of the lots on offer being sold.
For us, it was two Triumphs that stood
