Austin Cambridge

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Austin Cambridge
Manufacturer BMC
Production 1954-1971
726,061
Predecessor Austin A40 Somerset
Successor Austin 1800 , Datsun Bluebird
Class midsize car
Body style(s) 4-door saloon
van
pick-up
Layout FR layout
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. A range of vans and pick-ups was also made and these continued until 1971, two years after the car range was superseded.

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

[edit] A40 Cambridge

A40
Production 1954-1956
30,666
Engine(s) 1.2 L Straight-4
42 bhp[1]
Wheelbase 99.25 in (2521 mm)[1]
Length 162.25 in (4121 mm))
Width 61.5 in (1562 mm)
Curb weight 2352 lb (1067 kg)

A 1.2 L straight-4 pushrod engine B-Series engine based on the one used in the previous Austin Somerset 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.

Austin A40 Cambridge, rear view
Austin A40 Cambridge, rear view


[edit] A50 Cambridge

A50
Production 1954-1957
114,867
Engine(s) 1.5 L B-Series Straight-4
50 bhp[1]
Wheelbase 99.25 in (2521 mm)[1]
Length 162.25 in (4121 mm)) [2]
Width 61.5 in (1562 mm)[2]
Height 61.5 in (1562 mm)[2]
Curb weight 2352 lb (1067 kg)

The A50 Cambridge of 1954 used a new 1.5 L (1489 cc) B-Series four-cylinder engine with single Zenith carburettor which was good for 50 hp (37 kW). It sold better and remained in production through to 1957 with nearly 115,000 made.

The de luxe version had a heater, leather seats, carpets replacing the standard rubber matting, armrests on the doors, a second horn, a passenger sun vizor, and some extra chrome.[2]

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.

A series of modification were introduced in 1956 including smaller 13 in (330 mm) wheels and increased compression ratio (8.3:1).

A de luxe version tested by The Motor magazine in 1955 had a top speed of 73.6 mph (118.4 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 28.8 seconds. A fuel consumption of 28.0 miles per imperial gallon (10.1 L/100 km/23.3 mpg US) was recorded. The test car cost £720 including taxes. [2]

As with its predecessor the A40 Somerset, the A50 Cambridge was built under license by Nissan in Japan; the arrangement ended in 1959.


Austin A50 Cambridge, side view
Austin A50 Cambridge, side view


[edit] A55 Cambridge

A55
Production 1957-1958
154,000
Engine(s) 1.5 L B-Series Straight-4
51 bhp[1]
Wheelbase 99.25 in (2521 mm)[1]
Length 167 in (4242 mm))
Width 61.5 in (1562 mm)
Curb weight 2352 lb (1067 kg)

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 with a higher compression ration: 51 hp (38 kW) was now available.

The Cambridge had been restyled somewhat and now had a larger boot and much larger rear window. Two tone paint was an option.

Just over 150,000 were produced when it was replaced by a new Pininfarina-designed A55 Cambridge for 1959. Van and pick up versions based on the pre-"Farina" A55 were also made, and remained in production until 1971.

Austin A55 Cambridge in profile

Van derivative

6-cylinder derivative of the A55 — the A105 Austin Westminster


[edit] A55 Cambridge Mark II

Further information: BMC Farina models
A55 MarkII
Austin Cambridge A55 Mark II saloon
Production 1959-1961
149,994
Engine(s) 1.5 L B-Series Straight-4
55 bhp[1]
Wheelbase 99.25 in (2521 mm)[1]
Length 175.5 in (4458 mm))
Width 63.5 in (1613 mm)
Curb weight 2464 lb (1118 kg)
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

[edit] A60 Cambridge

A60
1962 Austin Cambridge A60 saloon
Production 1961-1969
276,534
Engine(s) 1.6 L B-Series Straight-4
61 bhp[1] petrol
1.5 L Straight-4
40 bhp[1] diesel
Wheelbase 100.3 in (2548 mm)[1]
Length 174.5 in (4432 mm))
Width 63.5 in (1613 mm)
Curb weight 2464 lb (1118 kg)
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 in 1962.

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

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Culshaw; Horrobin (1974). Complete Catalogue of British Cars. London: Macmillan. ISBN 0-333-16689-2. 
  2. ^ a b c d e "The Austin A50 Cambridge de luxe" (June 1 1955). The Motor. 

[edit] External links

  • Austin Memories
  • 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.