Austin: A55 Cambridge Mk II
Note: This is a sub-section of Austin
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, and producing 55 bhp at 4350 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 on the column and the handbrake lever between the driver's seat and the door. A heater was fitted as standard.
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 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 9 in drums all round.
Just under 150,000 were built in total. A six-cylinder 2400 cc version was sold in Australia as the Austin Freeway.
A MkII A55 was tested by The Motor magazine in 1959 had a top speed of 75.5 mph (121.5 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph in 24.5 seconds. A fuel consumption of 31.0 miles per imperial gallon was recorded.
The test car cost £878 including taxes of £293.
See Also
Sources of Information
- [1] Wikipedia