Motor Car History
 Veteran - Vintage - Classic - Modern
Motor car history
Understanding the Automobile
Toggle Navigation
  • Home
  • Makes and models
  • Motor car History
  • Motor Car Guide
    • Engines By Make
    • Engine Components
    • Electrical & electronic
    • Gearbox & Drivetrain
    • Induction & Exhaust
    • Suspension Types
    • Tyres wheels Brakes
    • Vehicle Body types
  • Trivia
    • Vintage Advertising
    • Race events
    • Film & TV
    • Museums
  • links
    • Advertise your business
    • About us
  • Register
  • Log in
  • You are here:  
  • Motor Car
  • Make and Model
  • A
  • Austin
  • Austin A55 Cambridge mk1 (1957-1958)

Info

Categories
Austin
Article
Austin A55 Cambridge mk1 (1957-1958)
Motor Cars
Britain
1950s

Austin A55 Cambridge MK I 

 1957 to 1958
Austin A55 Cambridge MK I  motor car history
Overview
Also calledAustin Cambrian (North America)
ClassMotor car Van and pick-up
Production1957 to 1958 
Produced154,000
Powertrain
Engine1.5 L B-Series Straight-4 51 bhp
Dimensions
Wheelbase99.25 in (2,521 mm)
Length167 in (4,242 mm)
Width61.5 in (1,562 mm)
Height60 in (1,524 mm)
Curb weight2,352 lb (1,067 kg)

 

The A55 Cambridge mark 1 was a British car from the 1950s from Austin.

History

In January 1957, the A55 Cambridge was introduced to replace the A50 model. It used the same 1.5 L B-Series engine as its predecessor,The 1957 changes include the power and wearing qualities of the engine were improved by raising the compression and by the fitting of lead indium big-end bearings,and a full-flow oil filter,whilst the car is lowered by use
of smaller wheels; the effective overall gearing, however, was raised by a change in rear-axle ratio which more than compensated for the alteration in wheel size.though with a higher compression ratio: 51 hp (38 kW) at 4250 rpm was now available.

Inside front seats with new refinements in a comfortable 4-door saloon body. Also the dished two-spoke steering wheel. and the large brake pedal fitted when Manumatic transmission eliminates the clutch pedal. The instrument panel have the segment type of dial and are placed in a binnacle clearly visiblethrough the two-spoke dished wheel with central horn button the Instruments include Speedometer and mileage recorder (with trip), thermometer and fuel gauge.Warning lights: For oil pressure, dynamo charge and headlamp main beam. Direction indicators:Self-cancel ling amber flasher type(separate from side and tail lamps). Windscreen wipers Twin-blade, self-parking Windscreen washers. Both front and rear side arm-rests are provided for comfort.the provision of hinged ventilating panels on front doors and at the rear the heater as standard the de luxe models .Optional extras ,electric ciock, over-drive ,radio.Upholstery material: Leather for seat contact surfaces, remainder in P.V.C.-coated fabric.
Head-lining P.V.C. Carpets front and rear Floor covering .

Austin A55 Cambridge MK I b series engine

The Cambridge had been restyled somewhat and now had a larger boot and much larger rear window Inside the car, there is a convenient full-width parcel shelf below the facia board and a lockable cubby hole as well as the the usual rear parcel shelf. The car was also lowered by fitting 13 in (330 mm) road wheels which were smaller than those on the A50 but the overall gearing remained the same by changing the rear axle ratio. Two tone paint was an option.capacity for luggage is increased and a deeper door for easy loading below which the spare wheel is placed are new Clips for tools are provided on the shelf above the petrol tank. 

Just over 150,000 were produced when it was replaced by a new Pininfarina-designed A55 Cambridge for 1959.

Van and pick-up versions based on the pre-"Farina" A55 were introduced in 1957, and remained in production until 1973. From 1962 they were fitted with the 1622cc engine and renamed A60, fitted with a wider grille never seen on the Cambridge car, and also offered under the Morris 1/2 ton name. In their final years the van and pick-up were all designated "Morris", following a decision to remove the Austin badge from British Leyland commercial vehicles.Option for the automatic two-pedal transmission at an extra cost of £50.

Austin A55 Cambridge MK I  side view 1950s

De luxe A55 with manumatic transmission

  • Top speed of 77.1 mph (124.1 km/h)
  • Accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 27.0 seconds.
  • Fuel consumption of 31.6 miles per imperial gallon (8.94 L/100 km; 26.3 mpg-US) 

Austin A55 Cambridge MK I  1950s cars

Edited By
MCH
Created
30 October 2013
Updated
03 February 2023
Related items
Austin A55 | British Automotive 1950s | Vehicles launched in 1957 | Austin Cambridge | BMC B-series Engine | TV Cars | Film Cars

Technical

Technical
  • Austin A55 Cambridge mk1 Technical details and specifications (1957-1958)

    ENGINE:
    Cylinders-4
    Bore-73.025 mm
    Stroke-89 mm.
    Cubic capacity- 1489 C.C.
    Piston area - 25.97 in.
    Valves - Overhead (pushrod)
    Compression ratio 8.3:1
    Carburetter - Zenith Downdraught (3 VIG 10)
    fuel pump - AC Sphinx mechanical type
    Ignition timing control - Centrifugal and vacuum
    Oil filter -Full-flow
    Max. power - 51 b.h.p.


    TRANSMISSION DRIVE LINE:
    Clutch - Borg and Beck
    Propeller shaft -Open Hardy Spicer
    final drive - Hypoid bevel

    BRAKES:
    Brakes -Giriing (2LS front)
    Brake drum diameter 9 in
    Friction area 121 sq. in

    SUSPENSION:
    Front - independant coil
    Rear - Semi-elliptic
    Shock absorbers - Lever-type hydraulic

    STEERING
    Cam and peg

    WHEELS TYRES:
    5.90-W13 tubeless

    © Motor car History

Service

Service
  • Austin A55 Cambridge mk1 Maintenance and Service Guide (1957-1958)


    Oil change :7 pints (plus 1 pints for filter) S.A. E. 20/30
    Gearbox: 4 1/4 pints, S.A.E. 30
    Rear axle: 2 pints, S.A.E. 90 hypoid
    Steering gear lubricant: S.A.E. 140 E.P.
    Cooling system capacity 12 pints (2 drain taps)
    Ignition timing: 5° B.T.D.C.
    Spark plug type: Campion N8B
    Spark plug gap: 0.025 in.
    Contact breaker gap: 0.014-0.016 in.
    Chassis lubrication: By grease gun every 1,000 miles to 17 points
    Tappet clearances: (hot or cold): Inlet: 0.015 in.Exhaust : 0.015 in.
    Camber angle: 1°
    Castor angle: 1.5°
    Tyre pressures nornal load: front rear 26 lb.
    Brake fluid: Girling (Crimson)
    Battery type and capacity: Lucas GTW 9k 12-volt, 51 amp./hr.
    Valve timing: Inlet opens 5° B. T D.C. and closes 45° A.B.D.C. Exhaust opens 40° B.B.D.C.
    and closes 10° A.T.D.C.

    © Motor car History

Maintenance

Maintenance Advanced Data

Members Only !  >>  Register here. <<

Models and years covered 1910 to around 2020 all make and years. Car and Commercial vehicles Worldwide including basic to advanced.

Including Below on request for members..

  • Engine rebuilds
  • Manufacturer recall checks
  • Known problems
  • Trouble shooting
  • Wiring diagrams
  • Transmission rebuilds
  • Brakes
  • Steering
  • Suspension
  • Wheel alignment data
  • Dimensions and sizes
  • Torque wrench settings
  • Capacities
  • Carburettors
  • Injection systems
  • Cooling system
  • Serial number locations
Share this page on Motor Car

Can’t see this article ?  >>  Register here. <<

advertise your business


merry christmas and happy new year 2024

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2024

Back to Top

© 2023 Motor Car History