Austin Freeway

Austin Freeway
Austin Freeway Sedan
Overview
Manufacturer	BMC Australia
Also called	Morris Freeway
Production	1962 to 1965
Assembly	Australia
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door sedan 5-door station wagon
Layout	FR
Related	Austin A60 Cambridge Wolseley 24/80
Powertrain
Engine	2,433 cc I6
Transmission	3-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Chronology
Successor	Austin 1800 (ADO17)

The Austin Freeway is an automobile which was developed by BMC Australia, based on the British Austin A60 Cambridge. Introduced in 1962, it was marketed under the Austin name in both four-door sedan and five-door station wagon body styles.

Using the locally built 2433 cc six-cylinder "Blue Streak" engine, it represented the first attempt by BMC to challenge the dominant Holden and Ford Falcon models in the lucrative six-cylinder family car class with a locally developed vehicle. The engine was a direct development of the company's 1622cc B-series unit, cylinder dimensions in the six-cylinder unit being identical to those of its four-cylinder counterpart.

An upmarket variant, the Wolseley 24/80 sedan was also offered.

Although more expensive than its opposition, the Freeway was well equipped by contemporary standards, offering features such as windscreen washers and a fresh air heater / demister. The sedan combined a new full-width grille with the rear-end styling of the British MG Magnette and Riley 4 models. The station wagon utilised the Austin A60 Cambridge rear-end styling. 3,090 units were sold in its first year but volumes fell well short of those of its Holden and Ford Falcon rivals and of the much more powerful six-cylinder Chrysler Valiant, introduced in Australia earlier the same year.

The original Freeway (designated ADO40) was replaced by the Freeway Mk II (YDO3) in October 1964. The revised model featured a more powerful engine, power brakes, improved rear suspension and improved seating.