Austin Freeway

The Austin Freeway is an <a href="/facts/Automobile/I1IsH8IK">automobile</a> which was developed by <a href="/facts/British_Motor_Corporation_(Australia)/yPUp0MLv">BMC Australia</a>, based on the British <a href="/facts/Austin_A60_Cambridge/29gnbxPx">Austin A60 Cambridge</a>. Introduced in 1962, it was marketed under the <a href="/facts/Austin_Motor_Company/lKmNWbob">Austin</a> name in both four-door <a href="/facts/Sedan_(car)/9n2QzIKK">sedan</a> and five-door <a href="/facts/Station_wagon/m98qdszh">station wagon</a> <a href="/facts/Car_body_style/c8VRdN2w">body styles</a>.
Using the locally built 2433 cc six-cylinder "Blue Streak" engine, it represented the first attempt by BMC to challenge the dominant <a href="/facts/Holden/fTHoYMnw">Holden</a> and <a href="/facts/Ford_Falcon_(Australia)/6Bm2qlsf">Ford Falcon</a> models in the lucrative six-cylinder family car class with a locally developed vehicle. The engine was a direct development of the <a href="/facts/British_Motor_Corporation/afKj8S5q">company's</a> <a href="/facts/BMC_B-Series_engine/ImY1fvpm">1622cc B-series unit</a>, cylinder dimensions in the six-cylinder unit being identical to those of its four-cylinder counterpart.
An upmarket variant, the <a href="/facts/Wolseley_24%2f80/k4W1y0h8">Wolseley 24/80</a> 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 <a href="/facts/MG_Magnette/D3TDJryo">MG Magnette</a> and <a href="/facts/Riley_4/7J2c0AgQ">Riley 4</a> models. The station wagon utilised the <a href="/facts/Austin_A60_Cambridge/29gnbxPx">Austin A60 Cambridge</a> rear-end styling.
3,090 units were sold in its first year but volumes fell well short of those of its <a href="/facts/Holden/fTHoYMnw">Holden</a> and <a href="/facts/Ford_Falcon_(Australia)/6Bm2qlsf">Ford Falcon</a> rivals and of the much more powerful six-cylinder <a href="/facts/Chrysler_Valiant/EeasyEk3">Chrysler Valiant</a>, 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.
Declining sales saw the Freeway discontinued in 1965 with production ceasing in September of that year after approximately 27,000 cars had been built. The Freeway was replaced by the <a href="/facts/Austin_1800/J65a1tDg">Austin 1800</a> with Australian production commencing in 1966.

Austin Freeway open-in-new

Austin Freeway