per lord's intention, the a40 sports was based on the mechanicals of the austin a40 devon, though the centre section of the chassis was boxed to provide rigidity for the open body. the a40 sports also employed a twin-su carburetored version of the 1.2 l engine producing rather than . gear selection was originally via a floor-mounted shifter. steering was worm and roller type, front suspension was independent coil springs with rigid beam axle and semi-elliptic leaf springs at the rear.