The Austin Freeway automobile was introduced in 1962, with a  six-cylinder "Blue Streak" engine that was a direct development of the company's 1622 cc B-series Unit, that was enlarged from a 1588cc in 1961, with a bore increase to 76.2, for use in both the Freeway and Wolseley 24/80 models.
The engine was enlarged to 1.6 L (1,622 cc) in 1961 with another bore increase, this time to 76.2 mm (3.00 in). 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. 
