This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Classic Sale at CarFest 2026 on Saturday the 29th of August and Sunday the 30th of August at The Wing, Silverstone Circuit, NN12 8TN.
The 1951 Austin A40 Sports was an elegant, aluminium-bodied four-passenger convertible born from a unique post-war collaboration between the Austin Motor Company and Jensen Motors. Conceived by Austin's chairman Leonard Lord as a "halo" car to boost the brand's global appeal, the new model featured modern, elegant lines styled by Eric Neale, with the dependable, everyday running gear of the Austin A40 Devon saloon. Neale's work on the A40 heavily influenced his later, iconic British car designs, most notably the Jensen 541.
First registered in 1951, this delightful Austin A40 Sports was acquired by our vendor's late husband approximately ten years ago and has been part of a small private collection since. It appears to have benefited from an older restoration and continues to present attractively today in cream with a black hood and matching black-trimmed interior.
Having been stored in recent years, the Austin will be offered as a running and driving example, although it will require some recommissioning before returning to regular road use. The engine bay presents in tidy condition, and the car appears complete, making it an appealing proposition for an enthusiast seeking an uncommon British convertible that requires only sympathetic preparation rather than a full restoration.
Only 4,011 units were manufactured during its production run between 1950 and 1953. These cars are highly sought after by collectors, with fewer than 50 functional examples believed to survive worldwide.
