THE KNOWLEDGE

TIMELINE

1954 Oct A40/A50 Cambridge launched; A90 Westminster with optional overdrive

1956 May A105 added, with twin SUS, lower suspension, plus half-ton van and pick-up

1956 Oct 13in wheels replace 15in on Cambridge; A50 gets optional overdrive or Manumatic; A90 replaced by A95 with longer tail, new grille, two-tone paint (shared with A105); A95 Countryman estate added

1957 Feb Cambridge facelift; 5in longer A55 replaces A40/A50, with fins, new lights, wraparound rear screen, optional floor change

1958 Jan A105 Vanden Plas added (500 made); Jack Sears wins first BSCC with A105

1958 Oct A55 replaced by Farina-styled MKII

1959 Oct A95/A105 replaced by A99 Farina

1962 Van/pick-up facelift, plus Morris version

1963 Van/pick-up get 1622cc B-series (A60)

1969 Sun-tor camper launched, based on A60

1971 Half-ton van & pick-up production ends

FACTFILE

Sold/no built 1954-’ 71/300,000 (4cyl), 60,400 (6cyl) Construction steel unitary

Engine all-iron, ohv 1200/1489/1622cc ‘four’ or 2639cc ‘six,’ single Zenith or twin SU carbs Max power 42bhp @ 4500rpm to 102bhp @ 4600rpm Max torque 58lb ft @ 2400rpm to 142lb ft @ 2400rpm

Transmission four-speed manual/manumatic, optional overdrive, or three-speed auto, RWD

Suspension: front double wishbones, coil springs rear live axle, semi-elliptic springs, anti-roll bar; lever arm dampers f/r Steering cam and peg Brakes Girling drums

Length 13ft 61/4in-15ft 1in (4128-4597mm)

Width 5ft 11/2 in-5ft 4in (1562-1626mm)

Height 5ft 11/2 in-5ft 31/2 in (1562-1613mm)

Wheelbase 8ft 31/4in-8ft 10in (25212692mm) Weight 2268-3164lb (1030-1438kg) Mpg 18-35

0-60mph 33-15.4 secs Top speed 70-96mph

Price new £808-1235 (A55-A105, 1958)

CLUBS

Cambridge-oxford Owners’ Club co-oc.org Austin Cambridge Westminster Car Club acwcc.org

SPECIALISTS

Longbridge Spares longbridgemotorspares. co.uk NTG Motor Services bmcfarina.com MEV Spares mevspares.co.uk Denis Welch Motorsport bighealey.co.uk ANG Classic Car Parts angclassiccarparts.co.uk A Head 4 Healeys ahead4healeys.co.uk AH Spares ahspares.co.uk SC Parts scparts.co.uk

WHATTOPAY

A40 A50 & A55 A90 & A95 A105 Vanden Plas

Project/average/show £1000/3000/7000 £1200/4000/8000 £2000/8000/14,000 £2500/9000/15,000 £4000/15,000/25,000