Austin A60

Late in 1959, the Austin A60, Morris Oxford Series V and Wolseley 15/60 were introduced to the Australian market. The cars differed little from their British counterparts, the main difference being the size of the engine - 1622cc rather than 1489cc; the use of Zenith carburettors instead of SU and changes to the suspension.

The Australian Austin A60 was the local version of the UK's Austin A55.

The cars were priced similarly to the contemporary Holden and the newly introduced Ford Falcon, both of which had 6 cylinders and 3-speed gearboxes. Australians had a definite preference for 6 cylinders, and these types of cars accounted for around 70% of the market.

The 1.6 litre Farina range did not sell as well as BMC Australia had hoped, and it wasn’t long before the Australian management decided to add an extra two cylinders to the 1622cc engine making it into a 2433cc six.

Thus were born the Austin Freeway and the Wolseley 24/80. The gearbox used on the new cars was an adaptation of the Metropolitan gearbox, with 3 speeds and a steering column change.

Click here to see a road test from the October 1959 issue of the Australian motoring magazine WHEELS of the Austin A60