The 1959 A40 Countryman version stands out by its layout as a small estate car with an upward (and downward) opening tailgate, and is therefore viewed as one of the earliest examples of a volume production hatchback.

This could be removed, and the rear seats folded to permit all of the back of the car to be used for luggage, though the loading floor achieved was far from flat.

[6] The car appeared as a scaled-down version of the Austin Cambridge and Morris Oxford, but without an extended boot.

[1] Presented as a saloon at the London Motor Show in October 1958,[9] the A40 Farina was intended to replace the Austin A35, from which it inherited much of its running gear, and was a capacious thoroughly modern small car, with a brand new distinctive "two box" shape and headroom in the back seat.

The Countryman hatchback appeared exactly a year later in October 1959,[9] and differed from the saloon in that the rear window was marginally smaller, to allow for a frame that could be lifted up, with its own support, while the lower panel was now flush with the floor and its hinges had been strengthened.

October 1959 also saw the standardisation on both cars of self-cancelling indicators and the provision of a centre interior light and, in early summer 1960, a flat lid was added over the spare wheel in the rear luggage compartment.

The drum brakes were a hybrid (hydromech) arrangement, hydraulically operated at the front but cable actuated at the rear.

It had a 3.5 in (89 mm) longer wheelbase to increase the space for passengers in the back seats, and the front grille and dashboard were redesigned.

The Mark II had more power (37 hp/28 kW)[12] and an SU replaced the previous Zenith carburettor but was otherwise similar mechanically.

The brakes also became fully hydraulic, replacing the semi cable-operated rear system that the Mark I had inherited from the A35.

This top-hinged door used struts to hold it up over a wide cargo opening and was a true hatchback – a model never developed in the home (United Kingdom) market.

[14] The A40 was assembled from English CKD kits by NZ importer, the Austin Distributors Federation, at their Petone factory Associated Motor Industries.

Local content included items like glass, wiring loom, trim, tyres, battery and radiator.

In the January 1959 Monte Carlo Rally driven by Pat Moss and Ann Wisdom the A40 won the Coupe des Dames, Houbigant Cup, RAC Challenge Trophy and Souvenir Award, "L'Officiel de la Couture" and was 2nd in class for standard series production touring cars up to 1000 cc.