The following guide was written by our Club Mechanic, Steve Turner. The BMC range of pre-Farina and Farina saloons and estate cars are among the most practical and reliable cars ever produced. Although production ended in 1972, they are still capable of every day use though most are now treasured classics brought out during the summer months for shows and rallies. If you are looking for one of these great cars, follow our simple buying guide to help you find the right one for you.
One area that must be checked are the front A-posts which do corrode especially if the front doors have a tendency to drop - don't dismiss this as worn hinges! This area is almost impossible to repair without removing the front wings. Six cylinder Farina models and all pre-Farina models have inner wing strengtheners which continue from the A-post to just behind the headlight area. These also need very careful checking as they can be missed by some MOT testers and again cannot be repaired properly with the front wings in-situ. Other places to check for corrosion are the
front cross-member under the radiator and around the anti roll bar
mounts, the rear chassis around the spring shackles and the rear out
riggers. Less important structurally but still time consuming to
repair properly are the front grille closing panels on A60's and
Oxford VI's. Body checks for the commercial variants which are based on the pre-Farina Cambridge are the same but careful inspection should be made to the loading bay areas, rear doors and tail-gates on pick ups.
Four cylinder engines can last over
150,000 miles but the six cylinder engines are not usually quite as
long lived and can suffer from worn bores and have high oil
consumption at relatively low mileages. Low oil pressure and a noisy
bottom end usually signifies a full overhaul is on the cards. Some
oil consumption is normal as are a few minor oil leaks, though
excessive smoke will signify worn bores. Smoke on over-run may just be
worn valve seals and this is not a great cause for concern and a
cheap and fairly easy fix. Both B & C series engines do need modifying with hardened valve seats to run on unleaded fuel although higher mileage engines will have work hardened their valve seats and many run happily without any additives or modification. All parts to service and repair or overhaul a 1500 or 1622cc B-Series engine are still readily available at reasonable prices. The 2.6 and 3 litre C-Series 6 cylinder engines are also well served for spares but it is worth remembering any major repairs, although straight forward, are made more difficult by the shear size and weight of all major components. The 4 litre Rolls Royce engine fitted to The VDP 4
Litre R is much more complicated to repair and parts are not quite as
readily available. These engines though reliable can suffer all kinds
of problems if neglected. Rattles signify worn valve gear, piston
slap and little end wear.
Expect between 80 and 100,000 miles out of a clutch with normal use. Some juddering is often apparent but usually cured by replacing engine and or gear box mountings. Automatic transmission was offered on all but 1500cc models and is generally very reliable and trouble free though high mileage cars with tow bars fitted should be checked carefully. Problems usually are noises from the torque converter or lazy and slow up-changes. If acceleration is slow check the kick down cable is still working. These are still available but a fiddly job to replace. The rear axle/differential is a strong unit and although some noise may be evident they rarely give any problems. The steering and suspension are long lived if looked after properly. Neglected cars usually suffer from worn king pins, but with regular maintenance they can last in excess of 100,000 miles. ![]() Suspension bushes can
collapse and if the car creaks at the front like an old barn door
expect a full suspension overhaul before the next MOT. A car that sits low at the rear end signifies worn or weak rear springs. These can usually be re tempered and replacements are still available. Many owners choose to fit stronger 7 leaf estate springs which last much longer and are not that much more expensive. Shock absorbers never did last long especially the front ones and a car that nods up and down or lurches on corners need the shockers replacing. Exchange reconditioned units are still available though new ones have been out of production for some time. All steering and suspension bushes track rods and king pins are available and replacement although time consuming is straightforward. A reamer is needed when overhauling the king pins though rebuilt stub axles can be obtained ready to bolt on. A problem confined to big Farinas is vague steering which is caused by the mounting bushes for the main front cross-member becoming worn. These are a major job to replace involving a full suspension strip and supporting the engine while the cross-member is removed.
Check for excessive play in the steering box. Some
adjustment is possible but a worn box will fail the MOT. Replacements
are available but this is quite an undertaking as the whole column
comes out with the box.
Wolseley & MG models share the same front side light indicator assemblies and these are very prone to corrosion. They are hard to find and usually expensive to replace. Be wary of any car with dim or none working front side lights. The condition of the interior has to be an important consideration when looking at a possible purchase Although carpets and furflex (door edging trim) are readily available, most of the interior is only available 2nd hand or will have to be re-trimmed.
Although never a ball-of-fire, four cylinder Farinas
and earlier models are capable of keeping up with modern traffic but
in standard form are a little out of their depth on motorways.
Performance upgrades are available using mainly MGB parts. Engine swaps
usually for the 1800 lump are quite common. The six cylinder range should provide you with as much power as you will need and more than capable of motorway conditions, though don't expect good fuel economy. Whether you are looking for a near concourse show car, a nice usable one or something to restore Farinas have a lot to offer. Even now, 40+ years after production ended, they are still reasonably plentiful and with careful searching you can own the right one for you. Values for Four Cylinder Cars Cars for restoration from £350 upwards Condition 3 cars between £800 and £1,500 Condition 2 cars between £1,500 and £2,500 Condition 1 cars from £2,500 to £5,000 Concourse or show standard up to around £7,000
CLICK HERE FOR OUR OWNERSHIP GUIDE
|
Vehicles >