Austin Cambridge
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- 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.
The Cambridge was only produced 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.
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[edit] A40 Cambridge
The 1.2 L straight-4 pushrod engine used in the A40 was carried over from the Somerset. 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.
[edit] A50 Cambridge
The A50 Cambridge used a new 1.5 L (1489 cc) B-Series four which was good for 50 hp (37 kW). It sold better and remained in production through 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.
[edit] A55 Cambridge
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 Pinin Farina-designed A55 Cambridge for 1959. Van and pick-up versions were also made until 1971 remaining based on the pre Farina bodies.
[edit] A55 Cambridge Mk. II
The A55 Cambridge Mark II was produced from 1959 through 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. Just under 150,000 were built in total. A six-cylinder 2400cc version was sold in Australia as the Austin Freeway.
[edit] A60 Cambridge
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 (side chrome stripes -some models with contrasting colour infills- and reduced fins) 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, did not dent sales, so Cambridge production was moved to the Morris plant at Cowley.
[edit] External links
- 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.
