1948 Austin A40

The Austin A40/A50/A55 Cambridge was introduced in 1954 and was notable as the company’s first medium sized car of monocoque construction. It was a four-door, front-engined, rear-wheel-drive saloon with space for five occupants. Production ceased in 1959.

The Austin A40 Cambridge and its larger engine A50 stablemate were first shown to the public in September 1954 and as compared with the outgoing A40 Somerset (q.v.) heir full-width unitary coachwork had a very contemporary appeal. The suspension was by independent coil springs at the front and rear semi-elliptic leaf springs with hydraulic drum brakes fore and aft. The gear lever was on the steering column and the front seats could be arranged to form a bench. The first cars were fitted with counterbalanced glass in the doors and semaphore trafficators but by early 1955 these had been changed for a winding mechanism and amber flashers.

The A40 and A50 were available in two levels of trim, Standard and De Luxe, the latter with leather upholstery, overriders and a heater as standard fittings. The Austin A40 Cambridge was initially also listed as a two-door saloon but this never formally entered production.

1956 saw the A50 Cambridge offered with optional Borg Warner overdrive or the seldom specified two pedal ‘Manumatic’ transmission. In February 1957, the A40 was dropped and the A50 was replaced by the A55, which retrospectively became known as the Mk.1. The coachwork now boasted a longer tail and from April 1958 there was the option of a floor mounted gear lever. The Austin A55 Cambridge Mk.1 was discontinued in early 1959. As with the Somerset, the A50 was also built under licence by Nissan, with Japanese-built Cambridges continuing until December 1959.

The engine of the Austin A40 Cambridge was a 1,200cc S4 OHV plant while the A50 and A55 were powered by a 1,489cc S4 OHV engine, with Zenith carburettors in both instances. The standard transmission for the Cambridge range was a four-speed box with synchromesh on 2nd, 3rd and 4th gears, with overdrive on the top three ratios and a semi-automatic change as extras on the A50 and A55.

In terms of the range, the somewhat underpowered Austin A40 is now a very rare car and the A55 fitted with the floor gear change is regarded by many enthusiasts as the most pleasant model to drive. The Cambridge benefits from good ride qualities, a large boot and a very durable engine, the A50 and A55 being capable of over 70 mph.

According to the model specialist Earl Part in the UKs, most brake and mechanical parts can be sourced and the main difficulties revolve around finding trim, interior parts and body panels. Any Cambridge should have its inner wing strengtheners, anti-roll bar mounts, the area around the rear spring shackles, the rear outriggers, front wings and A-pillars checked for corrosion. The 1.5-litre engine is renowned for its durability but the 40/A50/A55 can suffer from worn steering boxes. All versions of the Cambridge benefit from a very supportive owners’ club.

The main alternative to the Austin A40 Cambridge is the Morris Cowley, which shared the same engine. The competitors for the Austin A50 and A55 Cambridge included the Ford Consul Mk. I and Mk. II, the Hillman Minx Mk. VIII and Audax, the Morris Oxford Series II and III, the Vauxhall Wyvern E-Type and the Vauxhall Victor F-Type.