Austin Cambridge A40 - A50
In
1954 the A40 - A50 Cambridge arrived on the the scene, this was a
total change in body design compared to the Somerset which was very
bulbous. The main difference was that this was a chassis-less
model, its very square front housed a new radiator grill and sunken
headlamps. One of the plus points that the new body styling gave
was a generous boot although the opening was marred by the high
sill. Access was also good through a wide bonnet to the new 'B'
engine which was available as a 1200 cc for the A40 and 1500 cc for
the A50. Both engines were married to a new 4 speed gearbox, but it
still retained the steering column change. A Borg-Warner overdrive
was available in 1956, and in 1958 you could specify a floor gear
change for he manual box. An option that became available late 1956
was called 'Manumatic' which gave two pedal control in that there
was no longer a clutch pedal. This was quite innovative at the time
as it was fitted with a special clutch that from memory was made by
Smiths Industries. When you went to change gear using the floor
mounted gear lever, on holding the gear change knob, a micro switch
would complete the electrical circuit and the clutch would
disengage. The problem was that drivers would tend to rest their
left hand on the gear knob thus disengaging the clutch, not a good
idea. Suspension was very similar to the Somerset but using
improved lever-arm dampers which gave a better ride and had a much
longer life. Also available for the first time on such a small
engine car, was an overdrive which operated on second, third and
top.
Austin
Cambridge A40 2dr & 4dr A50 4dr
Date
when launched 1954
A40-A50 4dr were discontinued in 1957
Total produced A40 30,666 A50 114,867
Engine
A40 1200 cc 42 bhp at 4,500 rpm Max torque 58 lbs/ft at 2400
rpm
A50 1500 cc 47 bhp at 4,100 rpm Max torque 74 lbs/ft at 2100
rpm
Main
measurements
Length
13ft 6.3ins Width 5ft 1.5ins Height 5ft 1.5ins
Wheel Base 8ft 3.3ins Track Front 4ft 0.5ins Rear 4ft 1ins
Price ex Works
Nov 1955 A50 £718
Jan
1956 A40 £748 A50 £763
If
you own a A40 - A50 Cambridge please send me pictures and a short
history on the vehicle so that I may add it to this
page.