Wolseley 24/80 Details, Photos and Videos

The Wolseley 24/80 is an automobile which was produced by British Motor Corporation (Australia) from 1962 to 1965.

The car was in most respect identical to the contemporary Austin Freeway, but employed different frontal treatment in order to maximise the perceived differences between the cars and therefore, it was hoped, attract additional buyers away from the competition. This reflected BMC's enthusiasm for badge engineering in the 1950s and 1960s.

The 24/80 was based on the British four-cylinder Wolseley 15/60 model. It was powered by a six-cylinder version of the 1,622 cc (99.0 cu in) B-series engine, known as the "Blue Streak" straight-six engine with a capacity of 2,433 cc (148.5 cu in) and developing 80 bhp (60 kW; 81 PS)@4,350 rpm. Coupled to the engine was a three-speed gearbox, adapted from the Nash Metropolitan, with synchromesh on the upper two ratios and a steering column gear change. The 15/60's rear axle ratio of 4.55 to 1 was raised to 3.91 to 1 in the 24/80. 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. Released in May 1962, the 24/80 was externally identical to the 15/60 except for the wheelbase, which was an inch longer. The interior was the same as that used in the 15/60. Originally, it was available only with manual transmission but later a Borg Warner 35 three-speed automatic transmission was offered as an option.

The 24/80 Mark II was released in July 1964 with identical styling to the British Wolseley 16/60. Power was increased to 85 bhp (63 kW; 86 PS)@4,400 rpm and a vacuum power brake servo was fitted. The interior trim was now in soft expanded vinyl rather than the leather used in the original model.

Production of the Mark II was discontinued in October 1965 although stocks lasted until late 1966. The last Wolseleys to be exhibited at the Melbourne Motor Show were two 24/80s along with a fully imported Wolseley 6/110 in February 1966. No Wolseleys were exhibited the following year. The 24/80 Mark II thus became the last Wolseley model to be assembled and sold new in Australia.

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