The Austin Cambridge, sold as A40, A50, A55 and A60, is a medium-sized motor car range produced by the Austin Motor Company in several generations from September 1954 through to 1971 as cars and to 1973 as light commercials. It replaced the A40 Somerset and was entirely new, with modern unibody construction.
Austin Cambridge at a glance
| Produced | September 1954 to 1971 (cars); to 1973 (light commercials) |
|---|---|
| Models | A40 Cambridge, A50, A55 (Mark I and II), A60 |
| A40 Cambridge | 1.2 L B-Series, 42 bhp, four-speed column gearchange; only 30,666 made |
| A50 Cambridge | 1.5 L (1,489 cc) B-Series, 50 hp; 114,867 made, in production to 1957 |
| Styling | rounded body on the A40, A50 and early A55; Pininfarina styling on the later A55 Mark II and A60 |
| Suspension | independent front with coil springs and wishbones; live rear axle with anti-roll bar |
| Derivatives | van from November 1956; coupé utility from May 1957, available until 1974 |
This page is based on English Wikipedia only (a trusted source), so the facts were not cross-checked against a second source.
History of the Austin Cambridge
The Austin Cambridge was initially offered only with a four-passenger, four-door saloon body, although a few pre-production two-door models were 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, while a live axle with an anti-roll bar was kept at the rear. The range had two basic body styles, with the A40, A50 and early A55 using a traditional rounded shape and the later A55 Mark IIs and A60s using Pininfarina styling.
A40 Cambridge
A 1.2-litre straight-four pushrod B-Series engine, based on the one used in the previous Austin Somerset though sharing no parts, powered the new Cambridge. A maximum of 42 bhp was claimed, sent to the wheels by a four-speed gearbox with a column-mounted lever. The A40 Cambridge was meant to be offered as both two-door and four-door saloon, but the two-door body did not reach production. Only 30,666 A40 Cambridge models were produced; after it was dropped early in 1957, the A40 name was re-used on the smaller A40 Farina, which was neither a replacement nor much related.
A50 Cambridge
Also introduced in September 1954, with a body identical to that of the A40 Cambridge, the A50 Cambridge used a new 1.5-litre (1,489 cc) B-Series four-cylinder engine with a single Zenith carburettor, good for 50 hp. It sold better and stayed in production through to 1957, with 114,867 A50s produced.
Commercials
A van derivative was introduced in November 1956 and a coupé utility (pickup) in May 1957; both remained available until 1974, about three years after the end of the cars on which they were based. The Cambridge name had previously been used for one of the body styles on the pre-war 10 hp range.
Design and features
- Construction: modern unibody with integrated wings and a full-width grille.
- Front suspension: coil springs and wishbones.
- Engines: B-Series fours, 1.2 L in the A40 and 1.5 L in the A50.
- Styling: a Pininfarina look from the A55 Mark II and A60.
Austin Cambridge versions
- A40 Cambridge (1954–1957): 1.2 L, 30,666 built.
- A50 Cambridge (1954–1957): 1.5 L, 114,867 built.
- A55 and A60 Cambridge: the later cars, with Pininfarina styling from the A55 Mark II.
- Van and coupé utility: from 1956 and 1957.
More Austin cars are in our Austin collection, for example the A40 Devon, the Westminster and the A35.
Austin Cambridge questions and answers
What is the Austin Cambridge?
A medium-sized range sold as the A40, A50, A55 and A60 from 1954 to 1971.
What did it replace?
The A40 Somerset.
How many A50 were made?
114,867.
Who styled the later cars?
Pininfarina styling came with the A55 Mark II and A60.
How long did the pickup last?
The coupé utility and van stayed available until 1974.
Video: Austin Cambridge A60 – Out at last
Video by Hotrodngaz on YouTube.
Sources
- Austin Cambridge, English Wikipedia: overview, A40 and A50 Cambridge
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}