View source for Austin Freeway

{{short description|Australian car model}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox automobile
| image = Austin Freeway (14917133090) (cropped).jpg
| caption = Austin Freeway Sedan
| name = Austin Freeway
| manufacturer = [[BMC Australia]]
| production = 1962–1965 <ref name=AussieCars>Tony Davis, Aussie Cars, 1987, page 84</ref>
| assembly = [[Australia]]
| aka = Morris Freeway (New Zealand)<ref name=bluestreaksix>[http://www.bluestreaksix.com/history.htm The Morris Freeway, www.bluestreaksix.com] Retrieved on 10 November 2012</ref>
| class = 
| layout = [[Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout|FR]]
| body_style = 4-door [[Sedan (car)|sedan]] <br> 5-door [[station wagon]]
| engine = 2,433 cc [[Straight-six engine|I6]]
| transmission = 3-speed manual <br> 3-speed automatic
| length = 
| width = 
| height = 
| wheelbase = 
| weight = 
| predecessor = 
| successor = [[Austin 1800 (ADO17)]]
| related = [[Austin A60 Cambridge]] <br> [[Wolseley 24/80]]<ref name=AussieCars/>
}}

The '''Austin Freeway''' is an [[automobile]] which was developed by [[British Motor Corporation (Australia)|BMC Australia]], based on the British [[Austin A60 Cambridge]]. Introduced in 1962, it was marketed under the [[Austin Motor Company|Austin]] name in both four-door [[sedan (car)|sedan]] and five-door [[station wagon]] [[car body style|body styles]].

Using the locally built 2433&nbsp;cc six-cylinder "Blue Streak" engine, it represented the first attempt by BMC to challenge the dominant [[Holden]] and [[Ford Falcon (Australia)|Ford Falcon]] models in the lucrative six-cylinder family car class with a locally developed vehicle.   The engine was a direct development of the [[British Motor Corporation|company's]] [[BMC B-Series engine|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.<ref name=AussieCars/>

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.<ref name=Kenwright>[https://www.tradeuniquecars.com.au/feature-cars/1203/aussie-originals-bmcs-last-stand Joe Kenwright, BMC's last stand: Aussie Originals, www.tradeuniquecars.com.au] Retrieved 29 January 2017</ref> The station wagon utilised the [[Austin A60 Cambridge]] rear-end styling.<ref name=Kenwright/>
3,090 units were sold in its first year but volumes fell well short of those of its [[Holden]] and [[Ford Falcon (Australia)|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) <ref name=Building_Cars>Building Cars In Australia, BMC-Leyland Australia Heritage Group, 2012, pages 214-215</ref> in October 1964.<ref name=Kenwright/> The revised model featured a more powerful engine, power brakes, improved rear suspension and improved seating.<ref name=Kenwright/>

Declining sales saw the Freeway discontinued in 1965 <ref name=AussieCars/> with production ceasing in September of that year after approximately 27,000 cars had been built.<ref name=bluestreaksix/> The Freeway was replaced by the [[Austin 1800]]<ref name=Kenwright/> with Australian production commencing in 1966.<ref name=Building_Cars/>

<gallery widths="200" heights="150">
File:Austin Freeway (15734916159) (cropped).jpg|Austin Freeway Sedan
File:1964 Austin Freeway sedan (6106068152).jpg|Austin Freeway Mk II Sedan
File:Austin Freeway Wagon (15906711417).jpg|Austin Freeway Station Wagon
File:Austin Freeway Wagon (15284367353).jpg|Austin Freeway Station Wagon
</gallery>

==New Zealand market==
The Freeway was marketed in [[New Zealand]] as both the Austin Freeway and the Morris Freeway, allowing the separate Austin and Morris dealerships in that country to sell the model.<ref name=bluestreaksix/>

The Freeway name was subsequently used on the New Zealand market for the [[BMC ADO17]],<ref>[http://www.aronline.co.uk/blogs/the-cars/bmc-18002200/also-known-as-bmc-18002200/ Also known as : BMC 1800/2200, www.aronline.co.uk] Retrieved on 10 November 2012</ref> (with the BMC brand instead of Austin or Morris this time around).{{Citation needed|reason=This is not stated in the www.aronline.co.uk reference|date=January 2017}}
{{-}}

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081205033022/http://www.users.bigpond.com/jimjarron/24_80_freeway.html The Austin Freeway and Wolseley 24/80] Retrieved on 8 May 2009
 
{{British Motor Corporation cars, 1952-1966}}

[[Category:Austin vehicles|Freeway]]
[[Category:Cars of Australia]]
[[Category:1960s cars]]
[[Category:Cars introduced in 1962]]
[[Category:Cars discontinued in 1965]]