Austin A55 Cambridge
| Produced: |
1959-1961, 149994 produced. |
|---|---|
| Types: |
Saloon,4 doors,4 seats Station Wagon |
BMC first introduced the motoring public to the "big Farina family" in 1958 with the Wolseley 15/60, a year later BMC announced less luxurious Austin and Morris versions to cater for the masses. The A55 Cambridge Mk II featured the new Farina saloon body and was powered by the trusty 1489cc B-series used in the Mk I but now with a SU carburettor, previously only found on rival Nuffield cars!
The A55 Mk II was virtually identical to the Morris Oxford version with its tall rear fins and wide grille. Austin variants had different two tone paint styles, a split bench seat and "Austin" trim details to set it apart from its Oxford rival, its interesting to note that both cars were sold through independent dealers, competing for the same customers!
The A55 Mk II sold well during its production run, a Countryman Estate had arrived in 1960 adding to the already large choice of Farina models.
| Capacity | Config | Model | Bore/Stroke | CR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1622cc | S4 OHV | BMC B-Series | 76mm x 89mm | 8.3 |
| Type | Gears | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Manual | 4 |
| Drivetrain | Steering | Front Suspension | Rear Suspension |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worm | Independent/Coil Springs | Beam axle/Semi-elliptic leaf springs |
| Top Speed | 0-60 | SQM | MPG | Engine Pwr | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75 mph | 31.8 s | 23.3 s | 51 bhp 4250 |
| Lot Num |
Description | Auctioneer | Date | Hammer Price | Hammer Price (inc premium) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 002 | Austin A55 Cambridge (1961) | Husseys | 27 Apr 1995 | Not sold | |
| 417 | Austin A55 Cambridge (1959) | Sothebys | 10 Jul 1993 | £450.00 | - |
| 106 | Austin A55 Cambridge (1960) | ADT | 21 Jun 1993 | £1000.00 | - |
| 007 | Austin Cambridge (1960) | ADT | 19 Apr 1993 | Not sold | |
| Title | Pages | Options | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Article |
The Fintail Countdown |
32 |
 |
|
| Publication | Practical Classics November 2002 | |||
| The Fintail Countdown - One's as round and reliable as a farmer's wife, the other wears a sharp Italian suit. Danny Hopkins follows the Cambridge evolution from pre-Farina A50 to Farina A60. | ||||
| Article |
The enemies within |
126 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic & Sports Car November 2010 | |||
| The enemies within - There was a logic behind BMC's competing B-series saloons, says Jon Pressnell, but which is best - Wolseley 15/50, Morris Oxford or Austin Cambridge? | ||||
| Article |
Family fortunes |
40 |
|
|
| Publication | Classics Monthly February 2010 | |||
| Family fortunes - It took 21 years but there was a special reason for restoring this Austin A55. | ||||
| Article |
Classics April 2002 pg 124 |
124 |
|
|
| Publication | Classics April 2002 | |||
| Buyer's Guide. Austin A50/55 Cambridge £50 to £2500. Quietly competent yet often overlooked, Austin's 1950s mainstay family models are worth examination, says Kim Henson. . . | ||||
