Austin
A55 MkI
It was early in
1957 that a replacement for the A40/50 Cambridge to be called the
A55 MkI was announced. I think that this was probable the best
looking of the mid-range cars produced at Longbridge that had the
name Cambridge. In mechanical term it was unchanged from the A50.
The body design at the front was only slightly changed by giving
the headlamps a new chrome bezel that gave it a more pleasing look,
also it received a larger radiator grill. At the rear the changes
were more marked with a totally new boot that sloped down, this
feature increased the boot capacity. The rear wings were modified
to follow the curve of the boot, and with new rear light clusters,
gave a very clean line. To improve visibility the rear screen was
increased and wraped round the side. Along the body side ran a
chrome trim that gave a natural break to the duo-tone paint
option.
The Manumatic option was carried over from the A50 Cambridge along
with the overdrive.
Interior
View (LHD)
'B'
series Engine and Gearbox
A55
Cambridge MkI
Date
when launched Feb 1957 Discontinued in 1959
Total produced 185,000 approx. (Longbridge
Built)
Engine
1489cc
51 bhp at 4,250 rpm Max torque 81lbs/ft at 2,000
rpm
Length
13ft10.9ins Width 5ft 1.5ins Height 5ft 0ins
Wheel Base 8ft 3.3ins Track front 4ft 0.5ins rear 4ft 1ins
Price ex Works 1957 Feb
Standard £772 De-luxe £820
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Austin
A55 MkII Farina (ADO 9)
All
the other body designs for the mid-range cars had been the work of
the Austin's chief stylist Dick Burzi, With the MKII version under
the ADO9 lable, started out as a Dick Burzi shape, but Leonard Lord
decided after a remark by the Duke of Edinburgh when shown round
the styling studio, that he thought they could be improved. So
Pininfaria was invited to Longbridge and given a £84,000 contract
to come up with a design,
Pininfaria
Farina's design gave a very clean line at the rear and was only
changed slightly for production. The front end just did not have
the Austin look and gave a rather bulbous
appearance. This
was where Dick Burzi working with Farina's design came up with the
next picture, the only changes for production was the Austin badge
moved down onto the grill and the bonnet motif was a much slimmer
version of the flying 'A'.
On the engine
and transmission side, the engine now had the SU carburation which
increased the power and torque slightly. The standard gear-change
was now floor mounted although the column change could be
specified. The Manumatic
and overdrive option of the MKI was dropped.
In
early 1960 a estate version (Countryman) was announced which had a
good loading capacity. The rear tailgate was split which allowed
long items to be supported, and the rear window could still be
closed.
In
1962 a new diesel engine which was based on the petrol engine, but
having a much stronger block and crankshaft became an option on the
saloon.
Austin
Countryman
A55
MKII Farina
Date
when launched Jan 1959 Discontinued in Sept 1961
Total produced 174,000 approx. (Longbridge Built)
Engine petrol
1489cc 52 bhp at 4,350 rpm Max torque 82lbs/ft at 2,100 rpm
Length 14ft 10ins Width 5ft 3.5ins Height 4ft 11.9ins
Wheel Base 8ft 3.3ins Track front 4ft 0.9ins rear 4ft 1.9ins
A60
Cambridge to come later