Austin Freeway and Wolseley 24/80

Late in 1959, the Austin A60, Morris Oxford Series V and Wolseley 15/60 were released in Australia. Unlike the equivalent British models, they had an engine capacity of 1622cc rather than 1489cc. These cars did not sell particularly well, as the Australian public generally wanted six cylinder cars.

In order to address this, the decision was made to add two cylinders to the existing engine (as fitted to the Austin Lancer, Morris Major and the MGA) resulting in an engine with a capacity of 2433cc and capable of developing 80bhp. Coupled to the engine was a 3-speed gearbox, with synchromesh on the upper two ratios and a steering column gearchange. The gearbox was developed specially for the Freeway and was adapted from the Metropolitan.

BMC called the new engine the Blue Streak Six.

The radiator, which in the four cylinder cars was mounted behind the bonnet-locking bar was now placed in front of the bonnet-locking bar, immediately behind the grille. The suspension was also strengthened and there were other changes on the mechanical side.

Commenting on the heating and demisting system which was (unlike some of its competitors) standard equipment, a contemporary reviewer said "Although the day I tried the car was not particularly cold, the heater worked well. A booster fan is optional equipment and an item I think would be worth having. As a cost saving measure BMC has not put a control in the car which will permit the changeover from hot to fresh air whilst on the move. This can only be achieved by operating a switch under the bonnet. When you come to think of it, there are very few places in Australia where you are likely to need heat and ducted fresh air on the same day."

The Wolseley 24/80 and the Austin Freeway sedan and station wagon were released in April 1962. The grille on the Austin covered almost the whole width of the car, the outer pieces being cast and the inner slats being stainless steel. The rear fins from the Riley and MG variants were used rather than the somewhat more prominent fins from the A60. The interior was based on the Morris Oxford, with bench seats and rubber mats.

The Wolseley 24/80 was externally identical to the 15/60 except for the wheelbase, which was an inch longer and the use of two jacking points instead of the one of the 15/60. The interior of the 24/80 was the same as that used in the 15/60.

Originally both cars were available only with manual transmission but later a Borg Warner 35 3-speed automatic transmission was offered as an option.

In 1962 Evan Green and Jules Feldman drove an Austin Freeway around Australia in 9 days, 6 hours and 22 minutes - a record. The previous record was 9 days 12 hours, set in 1958 with a Standard Vanguard Utility (driven by John Thornton, Keith McCrohon and Evan Green) and the best previous time by a passenger car was 12 days 12 hours in a Triumph Herald (driven by John Thornton and Evan Green). Mind you, it could have taken less time: the object was to test the Austin Freeway for Modern Motor Magazine, not to set a record. In addition to the driving, it was estimated that up to 20 hours was spent in filming and photographing the attempt and yet the crew managed to beat the best all around Australia time by 5 hours 38 minutes. The final report in Modern Motor Magazine said that "BMC took a big chance when they lent us the Freeway for this round Australia test. We told them we would report everything that happened to the car, without glossing over any faults that might appear. They must have had great faith in the Freeway - and it didn't let them down."

Click here to see a road test from the June 1962 issue of the Australian motoring magazine WHEELS of the Austin Freeway

Click here to see a road test from the April 1963 issue of the Australian motoring magazine WHEELS of the automatic Wolseley 24/80 Mk I

Click here to see an article from the April 1963 issue of WHEELS on tuning the Austin Freeway and Wolseley 24/80

Mark II versions were released in October 1964, the Wolseley having styling similar to the 16/60. Power was increased to 84bhp and there were other minor changes. The interior trim in the Wolseley was now in soft expanded vinyl rather than the leather used in the earlier cars. The Wolseley sold well but the Mark II Freeway was not successful and was discontinued after a few months.

The Austin 1800 replaced the Wolseley in BMC's Australian model line up in October 1965.

The Mark II 24/80 was the last Wolseley to be sold new in Australia.