1956 Austin A50 Cambridge Competition Saloon

• Built to competition specification in 2007, updated 2018-2023
• New and freshly built 1,950cc MGB engine delivering 164hp
• Two spare engines (1,600cc and 1,900cc)
• Raced in Masters 'Top Hat', HRDC 'Touring Greats', and here at Goodwood
• Regular Goodwood invitee
• Road registered with V5 document

The current owner – a well-known and active historic racer at Goodwood – acquired this Competition Saloon for circa £30,000 at the Bonhams Revival sale (Lot 270) in 2017. The former owner acquired the car in 2006 from a family in Plymouth as a good condition classic vehicle and regularly used.

It was then subjected to a full strip down and body restoration during 2007. This comprised acid dipping the body/chassis and repairing all corroded areas. The shell was then seam welded in high-stress areas and a bespoke full roll cage fitted before being prepared and re-sprayed in Old English White and black to Austin A50 Export pattern.

The bare shell was then fitted out with refurbished or new items as appropriate to enable the car to participate in circuit racing. These include an OMP plumbed-in fire extinguishing system with multiple outlets; laminated windscreen, and polycarbonate side and rear windows; rear doors bolted shut and lock-wired; Sparco race seat, current 5-point race harness; and a AH Fabrications foam-filled fuel tank.

Since 2008, 'LJY 541' competed regularly in Historic Saloon Car racing, firstly in the Masters 'Top Hat' series and latterly in the HRDC 'Touring Greats' series for pre-1960 production saloons. It was well used and in really good condition, and accumulated an impressive racing history.

In 2008, 'LJY 541' was invited to race in the St. Mary's Trophy race at the Goodwood Revival meeting, one of the drivers being the late Sir John Whitmore, although engine problems curtailed both races. In 2015, the Cambridge was invited to race in the Sopwith Cup at the Goodwood Members' Meeting. The car ran well, holding its midfield position despite being collected early on by an over-zealous Ford Anglia!

The new owner's intentions upon acquisition in 2017 was to continue the car's competition career and it raced at the 2018 Revival meeting (car no. 3) in the Jack Sears Memorial Trophy where it suffered some superficial wing damage.

The body was fully repaired post-race and presents very well today. A new engine was installed earlier this year and the unit produces a whopping 164hp @6,700rpm and 148lbs torque at 4,600rpm (dyno sheet on file). Furthermore, a 1,600cc engine and the 1,900cc unit that was in the car are offered with the A50. An entry into this year's Revival was granted but the owner's commitments have prevented participation.

Further spec includes an MGB gearbox incorporating an SCCR straight-cut close-ratio gear set from Hardy Engineering, transmitting power to an MGB rear axle with 'Gripper' limited-slip differential. The lowered suspension features anti-roll bars front and rear; up-rated front coil springs; flattened rear leaf springs, up-rated Armstrong dampers all round, and rear axle location by means of a Panhard rod and bespoke anti-tramp bars. Brakes are MGB discs at the front and MGB drums at the rear, all suitably up-rated. The 15"x5" steel wheels are to Triumph TR6 pattern. Please note many photographs shown online are from 2017 and please contact the office should you require any specific 'as now' photographs.

All restoration receipts plus some photographs of work in progress are included in the sale, and the car comes with the aforementioned two spare engines: the 1,600cc unit enabling it run in a lower class as well as the 1,900cc unit that was in the car upon acquisition in 2017. Many other spares come with the car as well. All in all, a comprehensive package for the next custodian and modestly priced due to the circumstances of sale.