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Austin Cambridge
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Austin Cambridge | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | BMC |
| Production | 1954-1969 726,061 |
| Predecessor | Austin A40 Somerset |
| Successor | Austin 1800 , Datsun Bluebird |
| Class | midsize car |
| Body style(s) | FR 4-door saloon van pick-up |
- See Austin A40 for other A40 models.
The Austin Cambridge (sold as A40, A50, A55, and A60) was an automobile range sold by the Austin Motor Company from 1954 through to 1969. It replaced the A40 Somerset but was entirely new with modern unibody construction. The range had two basic body styles with the A40, A50 and early A55s using a traditional rounded shape and later A55s and A60s using Farina styling.
Initially the Cambridge was only offered with a 4-passenger, 4-door saloon body, though a few pre-production 2-doors were also made. It had a modern body design with integrated wings and a full-width grille. Independent suspension was provided at the front by coil springs and wishbones but a live axle was retained at the rear. The name had previously been used to designate one of the available body styles on the pre-war 10 hp range.
Contents |
| A40 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Production | 1954-1956 30,666 |
| Engine(s) | 1.2 L Straight-4 |
A 1.2 L straight-4 pushrod engine B-Series engine powered the new Austin Cambridge. Only 30,000 A40 Cambridge models were produced. The A40 name was re-used on the smaller A40 Farina, though that car, an early example of the hatch-back genre, was neither a replacement nor much related to the A40 Cambridge.
| A50 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Production | 1954-1957 114,867 |
| Engine(s) | 1.5 L B-Series Straight-4 |
The A50 Cambridge of 1954 used a new 1.5 L (1489 cc) B-Series four-cylinder engine which was good for 50 hp (37 kW). It sold better and remained in production through to 1957 with nearly 115,000 made.
Technical advances in the A50 Cambridge included an optional Borg-Warner overdrive unit for the top three (of four) gears. A semi-automatic transmission was also offered, though it was not popular with buyers.
| A55 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Production | 1957-1958 154,000 |
| Engine(s) | 1.5 L B-Series Straight-4 |
In 1957, the A55 Cambridge was introduced to replace the A50 model. It used the same 1.5 L B-Series engine as its predecessor, though 51 hp (38 kW) was now available. The Cambridge had been restyled somewhat and now had a larger boot. Just over 150,000 were produced when it was replaced by a new Pininfarina-designed A55 Cambridge for 1959. Van and pick-up versions were also made until 1971, remaining based on the pre-"Farina" bodies.
 Austin A55 Cambridge in profile |
 Van derivative |
 6-cylinder derivative of the A55 — the A105 Austin Westminster |
- Further information: BMC Farina models
| A55 MarkII | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Production | 1959-1961 149,994 |
| Engine(s) | 1.5 L B-Series Straight-4 |
| Related | Morris Oxford V Riley 4 MG Magnette III Wolseley 15/60 |
The A55 Cambridge Mark II, known as the first "Farina" model because of its Pininfarina design, was produced from 1959 through to 1961. It was a rebadged Morris Oxford and retained the 1.5 L B-Series engine, now with an SU carburettor. A "Countryman" estate model appeared in 1960.
Austin Cambridge Estates were called "Countryman", Morris Oxford Estates were called "Traveller". A55 MkII and A60 Estates were identical from the windscreen back; the later models never got the changed rear fins and rear lights given to the saloon versions.
Just under 150,000 were built in total. A six-cylinder 2400 cc version was sold in Australia as the Austin Freeway.
 Austin Cambridge A55 Mark II saloon |
 Austin Cambridge A55 Mark II "Countryman" estate |
 Austin Cambridge A55 Mark II "Countryman" estate |
| A60 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Production | 1961-1969 276,534 |
| Engine(s) | 1.6 L B-Series Straight-4 |
| Related | Morris Oxford VI |
An updated Cambridge model, now called the A60, was introduced for 1961. It included a new 1.6 L version of the B-Series straight-4 engine. Modified styling included side chrome stripes – some models with contrasting colour infills – and reduced fins on the rear wings. The style continued to be known as "Farina". This body covered a chassis that was slightly longer in wheelbase and wider in track than the A55. A Diesel version was introduced later.
The A60 Cambridge sold well, with over 275,000 built when production finally ended in 1969. Its intended successor, the front wheel drive Austin 1800 of 1964, did not dent sales, so Cambridge production was continued until 1969 at the Morris plant at Cowley.
 Austin A60 Cambridge saloon |
 Austin A60 Cambridge saloon — with larger grille than predecessor |
 Austin A60 Cambridge "Countryman" estate |
- Austin Cambridge / Wesminster Car Club (ACWCC) - Classic car club for all owners and enthusiasts of this range of BMC cars. Dedicated to the A40, A55 and A60, Westminster, Morris Oxford, MG Magnette, and other Riley & Wolseley derivatives.
- Cambridge-Oxford Owners Club (COOC) - a worldwide owners club which caters for these cars and their Westminster-derived six cylinder sisters. The club aims to keep the cars on the road, provides advice, spares and a social forum for enjoying the cars.