1959 Austin A40 Farina Mk II Race Car

The Austin A40 has played a very significant role in British saloon car racing over the years, starting most notably when Doc Shepherd secured the British Saloon Car Championship in 1960 with an example. Two models were used for motorsport purposes, including the MarkII Farina.

With numerous race wins, podiums, fastest laps and pole positions to its name, 'GFO 117' is one of the most recognisable cars in British historic motorsport. It's been a Goodwood Revival favourite for more than a decade where it has finished on the podium of the St Mary's Trophy races on a number of occasions. Highlights of its recent career include three class wins, along with an overall victory in 2007 and three overall wins in 2008, including one at Spa-Francorchamps. A dominant six wins followed in 2009, followed by a 3rd at Goodwood in 2010. The car continued to set the pace in 2011 with a pole position at the Snetterton HRDC event, followed by a 3rd at the Castle Combe race. The car has been driven by a host of celebrated motorsport figures including Perry McCarthy and David Hobbs. 'GFO 117' was recently the subject of a double-page feature in Autosport magazine, a copy of which is available, as well as a complete set of qualifying and race results from the last seven years.

The car has a fully seam-welded and lightened body shell with a full roll cage designed and built by Caged Laser Engineering. The car also boasts a close ratio Leyland Special Tuning gearbox, Salisbury type LSD 4.5 ratio, strengthened half shafts, Lifeline fire extinguisher, Recaro seat, 6-point race safety harness, aluminium foam filled fuel tank, Elliot tacho & Racetech instruments, lightened bumpers, Weller race wheels, MG Midget front disc brakes and calipers, negative camber front suspension trunnions, 'Slipper' adjustable rear springs, adjustable rear arm dampers, uprated front dampers and one inch front anti-roll bars. Potential buyers should satisfy themselves as to the legality and currency of all the safety equipment in this car. 'GFO 117' is painted in Speedwell Blue, with an Old English White interior.

Our vendor purchased the car from Silverstone Auctions at The Classic Sale in 2013 and had well respected historic motorsport preparation company, Rae Davis Racing, complete a full rebuild at the cost of £15,000 for which there are supporting invoices in the history file. At the same time, the 1293cc A-Series engine was rebuilt by Nick Swift costing a further £8,000, and it has only completed one race distance since.

The car is offered with a comprehensive package of spares, including a Quaife gearbox, bodywork, Mk1 shell, two Quaife half-shafts, spare standard radiator, spare LSD, spare starter & alternator, front and rear springs and spare wheels & tyres. This characterful little A40 would be welcome at any circuit, and is ideal for anyone looking to get into historic racing and, hopefully, be instantly competitive.