Colour photograph of a Mk2 Austin A55 Cambridge, and another rolling off the production line.

OldClassicCar - visit the OCC homepage. (C) R. Jones 2012

1. Austin A55 Cambridge saloon.

Among several pictures that he sent in, Alan included this cracking old photo, showing his parents with their shiny (new?) Austin A55 Cambridge Mk2 - just look at UFN 495's paintwork shine!

The Cambridge and other BMC saloons

The Cambridge shown was the last of several BMC/Austin cars that carried this badge at one time, the late 50s and 60s Cambridges as seen here were styled by Pinifarina, their first attempt for BMC being the Mk1 A40 Farina of 1958. The styling is very similar to that of the Peugeot 404, again a Farina design. In fact BMC, by this time very keen on badge-engineering and the economies of scale that it brought, took the basic 3 box, 4 door saloon design, and evolved them into a number of different marques, which by this time were all part of the British Motor Corporation. As well as the Austin Cambridge, you could now buy a similarly shaped Morris Oxford, Wolseley 15/60 (later 16/60), Riley 4/68 (later 4/72), and the MG Magnette. The Wolseley 6/110, Vanden Plas Princess 3 litre and 4 Litre R also borrowed heavily from the original design. Marque loyalty was still a big deal in the 50s and 60s, hence the profusion of similar looking saloons in BMC dealerships - lifelong enthusiasts of the Morris brand for instance would rather lose a vital limb than be seen climbing aboard a contemporary Austin, despite Austins being identical under the skin.

Cambridges, and other Farinas, are disappearing from the roads all the time - rust has seen most of them off, a small number have been preserved, and a significant number seen off in the delicate hands of the banger racing set. We're told that many were bangered because they were beyond economical restoration, however I'd rather have seen them consigned to a quiet corner of the scrapyard, and at least be available to people needing bits. Ah well.

My first experience of the big Farina was via a Wolseley 16/60 that I had a few years back, bought from a work colleague. It needed some welding, so I deposited at the local garage after I cut the sills off, and let them get on with it. We ran this low mileage car for a few months, but er indoors didn't much like the boxy styling and it soon went to a new home. Although no road burner, I liked it a lot and its comfy leather seats were a nice place to be. The Wolseley was the plush Farina in the BMC range, the Oxford and Cambridge being aimed at the cost-conscious family motorist, and were less oppulently furnished. Sporting motorists were encouraged to drive home the Riley or MG Magnette version.

In 2008 I took the plunge and bought an A55 Cambridge Mk2 as a runabout, the full story can be found here. Despite repeated attempts, I've yet to convice erindoors of the Farina styling.

2. Another Mk2 A55 Cambridge leaves the production line.

This next publicity photograph dates to circa 1959/1960, and shows a Mk2 A55 Cambridge nearing the end of production, possibly at final inspection. Not a speck of rust to be seen anywhere, underneath or on top, even the chrome plating on the bumpers is still under its protective wrapper. One chap leans over to inspect the Austin's 1,489cc B-Series engine, while another attaches the number plate from below. Other Cambridges wait patiently in the queue behind, while a collection of Mk1 A40 Farinas are just visible, over to the right of shot.

(Please click the thumbnail to view full-size image.)

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