Austin A55 Cambridge Mk II specification
Produced: Longbridge, 1959-61. 359,325 cars built, including the earlier 1957-59 A55 model.
General layout: Unit-construction, pressed-steel body-chassis structure, in 4-seater, 4-door saloon car style. Front-mounted engine driving rear wheels.
Engine and transmission: BMC B-Series engine, 4-cylinder, ohv, in-line 1,489cc, 73.02 x 88.9mm, 52bhp at 4,350rpm; 82lb ft at 2,100rpm; 4-speed gearbox, no synchromesh on 1st gear; centre-floor gear-change or steering-column change; live (beam) rear axle with hypoid-bevel final drive.
Chassis: Independent front suspension, coil springs and wishbones. Cam-and-lever steering. Rear suspension by half-elliptic leaf springs. Front and rear drum brakes. 5.90-14in tyres.
Dimensions: Wheelbase 8ft 3.25in; front track 4ft 0.87in; rear track 4ft 1.87in; length 14ft 10in; width 5ft 3.5in; height 4ft 11.75in. Unladen weight (approx) 2,473lb.
Typical performance: Maximum speed 78mph; 0-60mph 23.6sec; standing 1/4-mile 22.5sec: overall fuel consumption 28mpg.
Launch Price: £802
Derivatives: Estate car (Countryman) from late 1960. The A60 of 1961 was a further developed version of the A55 Mk II. All other B-Series Farinas were closely related.
Fate: Discontinued in 1961 in favour of the updated A60 model.
Trivia fact: Austin A55 Mk2: ADO 9 or Austin Drawing office 9 was the nearest to production car to Farina's design proposal. This was the only car in this family to be built exclusively at Longbridge as although the A60 started it' s production at Longbridge it moved to Cowley to make way for the 1800, the car that was supposed to replace it.
Source: "The Cars of BMC" - Graham Robson (Motor Racing Publications, 1987)