[Rob UK]

I have been on the hunt for a 1959-1961 Austin Cambridge or Morris Oxford for many years & now I finally have one.

These are in many ways the little brother of the Hindustan Ambassador, as the Morris version was the 'Oxford V' which directly replaced the 'Oxford III' on which the Ambassador is based (the Oxford IV was an all steel bodied estate version of the III). The 1500cc engine is the same unit as the original Ambassador.

This car is not perfect, but it is solid and very original. The only modifications by the previous owner have been to convert the car to negative earth electrics and fit a slightly later Lucas Distributor from an MGB, along with replacing the single SU HS2 carburetor with twin HS4s also from the larger 1800cc MGB engine (a hotter combo than the twin HS2s offered in the Riley and MG versions of this engine). These probably add about 10% in power, although I am looking into needle sizes as I feel whatever is fitted may be slightly rich at lower revs. I have a lot of experience with these engines and have a good feel for them. I also think the 1275cc Mini Cooper distributor gives them a bit more top end than the MGB unit, so I'll be looking at both of these things.

On the road, I suspect the driving experience is very similar to an Ambassador so not too much need to describe that on an Indian forum, but it is great fun and will cruise quite happily at 110kph all day. The differential ratio is 4.55, the Oxford III was 4.875, but the overall ratio is about identical as these use a smaller 14 inch wheel.

I have a few bits of cosmetic work to do, but I don't want to renew things that don't need it - it's an old car, and I love that. I want her to wear a few signs of age gracefully.