Austin Cambridge

A 1.2-litre straight-four pushrod engine B-Series engine based on the one used in the previous Austin Somerset (although sharing no parts) powered the new Austin Cambridge. A maximum power output of was claimed: power was transmitted to the wheels by means of a four-speed gearbox controlled with a column-mounted lever. The A40 Cambridge was intended to be available in both two-door saloon and four-door saloon variants; however, the two-door body style did not reach production. Only 30,666 A40 Cambridge models were produced. After the A40 Cambridge was dropped early in 1957, the A40 name was re-used on the smaller A40 Farina, though that car, the 'Countryman' version of which was an early example of a hatchback, was neither a replacement nor much related to the A40 Cambridge. ==A50 Cambridge==

Also introduced in September 1954, and with a body identical to that of the A40 Cambridge, was the A50 Cambridge which used a new 1.5-litre (1,489 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 114,867 A50s being produced A radio and a clock were optional extras. As with its predecessor A40 Somerset, the A50 Cambridge was built under licence by Nissan in Japan; the arrangement ended in 1959. In total, 20,855 licensed Austin vehicles were produced by Nissan in Japan between 1953 and 1959. ==A55 Cambridge==

In January 1957, the A55 Cambridge was introduced to replace the A50 model. It used the same 1.5-litre B-Series engine as its predecessor, though with a higher compression ratio. It was rated at 51 hp (38 kW) at 4,250 rpm. File:Austin_A55_Cambridge_side.jpg|Austin A55 Cambridge in profile Half-ton commercials Half-ton commercial models based on the A55 were introduced in 1957. The van was released in February and was followed in May by pick-up, chassis and cab and chassis and scuttle models. They remained in production to 1973. and a coupe utility version was designed and assembled by the Sydney-based Pressed Metal Corporation, a subsidiary of Larke, Neave and Carter, Austin Distributors. ==A55 Cambridge Mark II==

The A55 Cambridge Mark II, known as the first "Farina" model because of its Pinin Farina design, was produced from 1959 through to 1961. It was also badge engineered as a Morris Oxford and retained the 1.5 litre B-Series engine, now with an SU carburettor, and producing at 4,350 rpm. The interior had individual leather trimmed seats in front spaced closely together to allow a central passenger to be carried. The gear change was either on the column or floor-mounted and the handbrake lever between the driver's seat and the door. Other improvements highlighted at the time included an enlarged luggage compartment with counterbalanced lid and increased elbow width on both front and rear seats. A heater could be fitted as an option. A "Countryman" estate model appeared in 1960. The Austin Cambridge estates was called the "Countryman". (Morris Oxford Estates were called "Travellers".) A55 Mark II and A60 estates were identical from the windscreen back; the later models never got the reduced rear fins and modified rear lights of the A60 saloons. The engineering of the car was conventional with coil sprung independent front suspension and a live axle at the rear with semi elliptic leaf springs. The braking used a Girling system with drums all round. A total of 149,994 were built. A MkII A55 was tested by The Motor magazine in 1959 had a top speed of and could accelerate from 0– in 24.5 seconds. A fuel consumption of was recorded. The test car cost £878 including taxes of £293. Australian production The A55 Mk II entered production in Australia in 1959 with a 1,622 cc version of the B Series four-cylinder engine as the Austin A60. Australian use of the larger engine and the A60 name preceded British usage by two years. The A60 was replaced in 1962 by a revised model powered by a six-cylinder 2,433 cc B-series Blue Streak engine. It was marketed as the Austin Freeway and was produced by BMC Australia until 1965. ==A60 Cambridge==

An upgraded Cambridge model, now called the A60, was introduced in October 1961. It included a new 1.6-litre version of the B-Series straight-four engine which had first been used in the MGA. Power is at 4500 rpm. 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. This allowed three people to be accommodated on the rear seat. Anti-roll bars were added to both front and rear suspension. An estate version with the petrol engine, called the Countryman, was also offered.The A60 from 1966 was offered with many optional extras including a more powerful dual carburetor version to keep up with increasing competition from the Continent and Japan. A diesel version was introduced in 1961 for export cars and was available in the UK from 1962. Early manual models had the option of column gear change. The Borg Warner three-speed Type 35 automatic transmission was an option, the first British car to be fitted with this type, ==References==