Austin Cambridge A40 - A50 (GS5)
In
1954 the A40 - A50 Cambridge arrived on the the scene, and was
given the code GS5. This was a total change in body design compared
to the Somerset which was very bulbous.
Above shows a
quarter scale clay model, with the stylist pictures in the
background. They would make four or five versions of the car in
quarter scale. Then when the management had decided which version
they liked, a full size clay model on a wooden frame would be made
as shown below.
One
of the main differences was that this model did not have a chassis.
With its very square front and rear it could not have been more
different from the model it replaced. The new radiator grill and
sunken headlamps gave it a totally new look.
One of the plus points that the new body styling gave was a
generous boot although the opening was marred by the high
sill.
The
model was the first to be powered by the new 'B' engine which was
available as a 1200 cc for the A40 and 1500 cc for the A50. Both
engines were married to a new 4 speed gearbox, but it still
retained the steering column change.
A Borg-Warner overdrive was available in 1956, and in 1958 you
could specify a floor gear change for the manual box. An option
that became available late 1956 was called 'Manumatic' which gave
two pedal control in that there was no longer a clutch pedal. This
was quite innovative at the time as it was fitted with a special
clutch that was made by Automotive Products Co ltd. Leamington Spa.
When you went to change gear using the floor mounted gear lever, on
holding the gear change knob, a micro switch would complete the
electrical circuit and the clutch would disengage. The problem was
that drivers would tend to rest their left hand on the gear knob
thus disengaging the clutch, not a good idea.
The
new facia gave the car a more modern look and the instrument pack
was now in front of the driver.
Suspension
was very similar to the Somerset but using improved lever-arm
dampers which gave a better ride and had a much longer life. Also
available for the first time on such a small engine car, was an
overdrive which operated on second, third and top.
When
they first came out in 1954 they had slide up windows, and the fuel
filler was in the boot, trafficators were still the semaphore type.
Various people attached to the testing department pointed out to
Leonard Lord that the windows were hard to open when new, and were
prone to slip down. You had to be very careful when filling up as
petrol could overflow and go straight into the boot. This then
allowed petrol fumes to enter the car. The car went into production
with no modifications as Leonard Lord did not see a problem.
But complaints from the customers about these feature, soon made
the company put in hand work to rectify these problems. So in early
1955 the production models had wind up windows and the boot lid was
modified so the fuel filler cap had its own lockable lid. Soon
after this the semaphore trafficators were changed to flashing
indicators.
Austin
Cambridge A40 2dr & 4dr A50 4dr
Date
when launched 1954
A40-A50 4dr were discontinued in 1957
Total produced A40 30,666 A50 114,867
Engine
A40 1200 cc 42 bhp at 4,500 rpm Max torque 58 lbs/ft at 2400
rpm
A50 1500 cc 47 bhp at 4,100 rpm Max torque 74 lbs/ft at 2100
rpm
Main
measurements
Length
13ft 6.3ins Width 5ft 1.5ins Height 5ft 1.5ins
Wheel Base 8ft 3.3ins Track Front 4ft 0.5ins Rear 4ft 1ins
Price ex Works
Nov 1955 A50 £718
Jan
1956 A40 £748 A50 £763
