1961 Austin Cambridge A60 Saloon

Description

Superseding the Somerset, Austin's third generation of the successful A40 model was unveiled in 1954 and wore the Cambridge badge for the first time. The first Austin car developed under the giant BMC umbrella, the Cambridge - both in A40 and later, more powerful A50 guise - continued to be a staple on Britain's roads throughout the 1950s. In 1957 both models were replaced with the stopgap A55, with more attractive styling and better equipment levels, but more significant changes lay just over the horizon. From December 1958 BMC began rolling out a series of new B-series models sharp new styling courtesy of Italian design studio Pinin Farina. From the fashionable fins to the two-tone paintwork, the so-called Farina models were at the forefront of the prevailing Transatlantic styling trends and each of the Wolseley, Austin, Morris, MG and Riley variants proved remarkably popular in Britain for the next decade. Austin's version, badged the Mark II A55 Cambridge, made its debut in January 1959 and was initially only sold in four-door saloon guise before the Countryman station wagon was added to the range the following spring. Mechanically the A55 remained much as before, with the 1489cc engine available with only one transmission option (both overdrive and the Munamatic tranmissions were dropped). In 1961 Austin facelifted the Cambridge and the A55 designation was replaced by the A60, built around a platform that was both longer and wider, while the lines had more subtle rear wings and a new, tidier grille design. Under the bonnet the B-series engine had grown to 1.6-litres, boosting the engine's output to a useful 61 horsepower, while the handling was sharper too thanks to anti-roll bars at both ends and wider track. Inside the Cambridge's facia gained a very period simulated woodgrain finish, new seats and revised trim to freshen the interior. Automatic transmission returned as an option and Austin actually offered a diesel variant, mostly built for taxis or commercial work. The Australian arm of BMC assembled both the Cambridge and its Morris sibling, the Oxford, for some years and even developed six-cylinder versions on a stretched platforms to compete with the local Holden, badged the Austin Freeway and Wolseley 24/80.