New member from The Netherlands
Posted: 30 Oct 2023 22:22
Dear all,
Just became a member of this forum and club (#4419). My name is Bart and since this summer a A40 Farina mk2 Countryman 1962 is a part of my family life. As far I know, it's the only countryman in The Netherlands. Happy that I found this club for the necessary information sources and exchanges. I've been involved with english classic for some decades (will tell more later) and hope I can contribute in a good way with my experiences.
By the previous owner this car has been refreshed. Originally it was a UK registered car (SFF270). Now it has been converted to LHD and used for some classic car regularity rallies like the Tulip Rallye.
Technically the car has some upgrades like a 1293 "fast road" (uhuh..) engine with twin SU's, a 5 speed Ford T9 gearbox and Midget disc brakes on the front. At this moment I focus on getting reliability in the car and a proper appearance.
So, things like forgotten split pins on clevis pins, leakages, shortcuts etc.
An alloy Morris Minor radiator has been converted for use in the Farina and also got a temperature sensor for switching the electric fan. I love to do the TIG welding ! I will go on with finding Speedwell goodies to dress up the car in a nice sporty way the previous owner started. Biggest luck was to find a tacho of Speedwell recently. In my tiny garage (2,5 x 4 m only) I like to make many parts myself. Here you can see a panel below the dashbord in wrinkle paint with some extra switches, main switch, Halda tripmaster etc. I 3d printed a mould to deep-press thin aluminium in the right shape for holding three gauges in the radio space. The interior space is fantastic for larger persons. Okay, I had to mount the Cobra seats a bit to the rear, but they are in nice harmony with the rest of the interior, especially in combination with the 4 point Luke harness.
Why did I choose for an A40 Farina? That's a special story. Earlier this year I lost two classic cars in a huge fire at a storage. My 1980 classic mini and 1978 MGB with v8 conversion were totally wrecked. Short before that I helped a friend buying this Farina. But his true dream was a good Sprite or Midget. When we would find a sound one without corrosion, then I could have his Farina. It happened just a few weeks later already.... I had the mini since 1991.... a painfull loss of a family member. Before scrapping the wrecks, I took off some bits of the cars like the cast iron 4 pot calipers of both cars, but also the remains of the mini engine and the total stainless steel exhaust system. Maybe there is a chance I can re-use the cast iron part of the engine (measure well) to reincarnate later on in the Farina. It is converted for use of a beemer 16v cilinder head. That will make the Farina a quirky and fast toy....
Just became a member of this forum and club (#4419). My name is Bart and since this summer a A40 Farina mk2 Countryman 1962 is a part of my family life. As far I know, it's the only countryman in The Netherlands. Happy that I found this club for the necessary information sources and exchanges. I've been involved with english classic for some decades (will tell more later) and hope I can contribute in a good way with my experiences.
By the previous owner this car has been refreshed. Originally it was a UK registered car (SFF270). Now it has been converted to LHD and used for some classic car regularity rallies like the Tulip Rallye.
Technically the car has some upgrades like a 1293 "fast road" (uhuh..) engine with twin SU's, a 5 speed Ford T9 gearbox and Midget disc brakes on the front. At this moment I focus on getting reliability in the car and a proper appearance.
So, things like forgotten split pins on clevis pins, leakages, shortcuts etc.
An alloy Morris Minor radiator has been converted for use in the Farina and also got a temperature sensor for switching the electric fan. I love to do the TIG welding ! I will go on with finding Speedwell goodies to dress up the car in a nice sporty way the previous owner started. Biggest luck was to find a tacho of Speedwell recently. In my tiny garage (2,5 x 4 m only) I like to make many parts myself. Here you can see a panel below the dashbord in wrinkle paint with some extra switches, main switch, Halda tripmaster etc. I 3d printed a mould to deep-press thin aluminium in the right shape for holding three gauges in the radio space. The interior space is fantastic for larger persons. Okay, I had to mount the Cobra seats a bit to the rear, but they are in nice harmony with the rest of the interior, especially in combination with the 4 point Luke harness.
Why did I choose for an A40 Farina? That's a special story. Earlier this year I lost two classic cars in a huge fire at a storage. My 1980 classic mini and 1978 MGB with v8 conversion were totally wrecked. Short before that I helped a friend buying this Farina. But his true dream was a good Sprite or Midget. When we would find a sound one without corrosion, then I could have his Farina. It happened just a few weeks later already.... I had the mini since 1991.... a painfull loss of a family member. Before scrapping the wrecks, I took off some bits of the cars like the cast iron 4 pot calipers of both cars, but also the remains of the mini engine and the total stainless steel exhaust system. Maybe there is a chance I can re-use the cast iron part of the engine (measure well) to reincarnate later on in the Farina. It is converted for use of a beemer 16v cilinder head. That will make the Farina a quirky and fast toy....