Wolseley hornet was the name of two different british vehicles produced under the wolseley motors limited nameplate wolseley hornet six, sixcylinder lightweight saloon, coupe, sports and racing cars produced in the 1930s wolseley hornet mini, a variant of the mini produced by the british motor corporation. In 1972, the 1885 models were replaced by the 2227cc wolseley six, which had been in the pipeline ever since the bmc days. Hornet wolseley car manuals and literature for sale ebay. A pictorial history first edition by david rowe isbn. During world war ii it was buried in singapore to avoid being captured by the occupying japanese army. The hornet was produced from 19611969 as an upmarket version of the mini, and was distinguished by finned rear wings and an upright grille with an illuminated wolseley badge.
Of these my particular favourites are the wolseley hornet specials. The wolseley hornet specials had a small footprint and powered by an advanced 1271cc, sixcylinder ohc engine. This 1966 wolseley hornet mkii benefits from a recent refurbishment and is finished in white over light blue. Ltd, could trace its history back to 1650 and was renowned the world over for its bellows, blacksmiths equipment, engineers tools, industrial fans, dropforge hammers and machine tools. The vickers brothers died and, without their guidance, wolseley expanded rapidly after the war, manufacturing 12,000 cars in 1921, and. Wolseley 1885, wolseley six 19671975 based on the 1964 austin 1800, the wolseley 1885 arrived in the spring of 1967. Unusual and unique aircraft from the movietone collection duration. Note the deeper radiator with single vertical embellishment, the absence of a headlamp cross brace bar.
Austin and morris minis, wolseley hornet, riley elf, cooper. It currently has about 45 members across australia and new zealand. Bridging the past wolseley and district 18801980 hardcover jan. Finally, a version of the austin 1800 was launched in 1967 as the wolseley 1885. Crayford engineering was commissioned by heinz foods to specially produce 57 convertible versions of the wolseley hornet. Wolseley only supplied hornet specials in chassis form, leaving buyers to select their own choice of body builder. Produced by wolseley motors limited from 1930 to 1936, the hornet was unveiled to the public at the end of april 1930. Wolseley hornet was the name of two different british vehicles produced under the wolseley. Wolseley hornet 1967 ado15 mbd 329e, beige 1967 wolseley hornet mk 4 with austin front end. Wolseley cars 1948 to 1975, a pictorial history by david. It changed its location to birmingham, and its output to cars.
This wolseley hornet has had the same owner for over 38 years. Within its membership, it has an extensive knowledge all all wolseley models, from the early veterans right up to the very last 1822 wedge. You will be able to join in most activities if your car does not qualify, but you will not be able to join in the concourse at our agm and in some of the activities or. This is an open group for all owners and fans of the wolseley hornet and riley. Another book on postwar british cars, this time from wolseley. Issigonisinspired cars think 1500 and hornet, farina cars finned 1560 and the lie.
At present photo car 1932 wolseley hornet specialden, isuzu is part of general motors. Some wolseley hornet specials sports versions of the famous small six when the now ubiquitous wolseley hornet was. The name wolseley hornet was first used on a 1930s sports car, while the name elf recalled the riley sprite and imp sports cars, also of the 1930s. The hornet special enjoyed a wellearned reputation for reliability and proved popular in various forms of motor sport throughout the 1930s, owners forming the backbone of the light car clubs of nsw and victoria in the 1950s. Another 20 or 30 local enthusiasts maintain an interest in hornet activity through the clubs excellent newsletter. Wolseley motors limited was a british motor vehicle manufacturer founded in early 1901 by the vickers armaments combine in conjunction with herbert austin. View full details about the wolseley hornet ado15 included in the slideshow and the individual images below are those from the gallery in which mbd 329e appears. Wolseley hornet and riley elf owners and fans group has 1,838 members. It initially made a full range, topped by large luxury cars, and dominated the market in the edwardian era.
This section contains a potted history of most models of the cars produced by wolseley throughout its existence. Vintage, collector and antique auto value trends, model history and vin decoder. Believed to be the test car by swallow, in connection with wolseley motors, the wolseley hornet special engine, this automobile is one of two known survivors of its type. Austin morris bought out the wolseley name in the late 1920s and continued to sell cars under the wolseley brand. Austin and morris minis, wolseley hornet, riley elf, cooper and cooper s models. The fullwidth dashboard was a differentiator between the elf and hornet. The classic 1960s wolseley hornet find my classic car.
The club the whsca club was formed in 1995 with the purpose of encouraging the preservation of wolseley hornets, sports and specials. Wolseley hornet special sports saloon by eustace watkins. The wolseley hornet was based on the austin and morris mini with a booted body style which was shared with riley as the elf. Wolseley had been bought from the receivers by william morris in 1927. Membership is open to all who are interested in maintaining the history of the wolseley hornet sports and specials. This model was replaced by the leykor mini mk3, which was a crossover of a mini front and the body of a wolseley hornet. Works manager herbert austin was the driving force.
History fabulous wolseley hornet special with period racing history and australian coachwork off the road since 1970. This great wolseley hornet mk3 was first registered in sussex 18th may 1967. In 1969 a group of workers at the wolseley factory in drews lane, ward end, approached the then thriving sports and social club about starting a new section, for those with a common interest in camping and caravanning. The wolseley hornet special disappeared, as did the o. There is so much to be told about the competition, the 57 wolseley hornet mini prize convertibles, and what has happened to these 57 cars since they were won, it. Reference materials wolseley hornet shorty 1965 paul. He has helped build and race cars, enjoys driving experience days, and has authored several books in the popular pictorial history series published by veloce, including rootes cars of the 50s, 60s and 70s a pictorial history, and wolseley. Wolseley hornet history wolseley hornet shorty 1965. Wolseley wolseley hornet 19301936 motor car history. About us wolseley hornet special club of australia. Great savings free delivery collection on many items. A 1935 wolseley hornet special with the 6cylinder single overhead camshaft engine.
This dashboard was the idea of christopher milner the sales manager for riley. Wolseley racing consisted of a number of motor car racing efforts between 1903 and 1969 supported by wolseley motor company which resulted in many victories and helped promote the brand and prowess of the company. There is so much to be told about the competition, the 57 wolseley hornet mini. The car has had a rebuild with pictures and the engine was rebuilt just 5000 miles ago. During the early 1930s wolseley found itself at the front rank of small british sportscars alongside riley, mg and fazer nash thanks entirely to its wonderful hornet range. Wolseley a very british car by anders ditlev clausager. Built between 19611969, the wolseley hornet and riley elf was a more luxurious version of the mini that could be distinguished by their finned rear wings and elongated boot.
Wolseley cars, owners, enthusiasts and clubs are all welcome to the wolseley register. Fabulous wolseley hornet special with period racing history and australian. Based on the original mini of 1959, the mki wolseley hornet, from october 1961, had a slightly longer tail with the similar and distinctive wolseley tail fins as found on the outgoing 699 model. As the name implied, the hornet had a real sting in its tail courtesy of wolseleys fabulous 1. You do not need to own one of these cars to become a member. View more images below of this 1967 wolseley hornet. The book is divided into five major groups nuffield cars, palmerdesigned cars such as the 444 and 690 that featured in so many early british tv police dramas, issigonisinspired cars think 1500 and hornet, farina cars finned 1560 and the lie. The wolseley hornet was featured on the british tv programme top gear as one of the worst cars in history.
In 1963, hornet was facelifted, and introduced the 998cc aseries engine to the mini for the first time as well as hydrolastic suspension, which replaced rubbercone type fitted at launch. Founded as the wolseley sheep shearing machine company in. It was made in south africa was made in south africa between 1967 and 1969. And although it all might seem a little pointless today, the wolseley hornet ended up being a strong seller. However, it isnt some remnant of the back page in a history book. The wolseley hornet was a lightweight saloon car produced by wolseley motors limited from 1930 to 1936. Wolseley post vintage hornet introduction the wolseley hornet was introduced in 1931 alongside the viper series, whose price and body styles were a departure from the previous 12 and 16 hp models, proving to be an immediate and phenomenal successs. The illustrated history of the works minis in international rallies. However, in the late 19th century it diversified into the manufacture of bicycles and motor cycles, then. Wolseley hornet and riley elf owners and fans group public. The manufacturer had been bought from the receivers by william morris in 1927 and though ownership was quite separate from morris motors the wolseley hornet of 1930 was in effect a 2door morris minor saloon fitted with a small sixcylinder engine in place of the fourcylinder unit that was. The cars were all supplied with special extras including picnic set, radio, electric kettle, tartan rug and even a sliding max factor makeup tray under the dash panel.
The first comprehensive history of the wolseley marque and its products from its first car in 1896 to the. Later, when morris became part of the british motor company, so did the wolseley brand. Formed around the dawn of the british motor industry, the wolseley name has shared a history closely interwoven with two other prestigious bmc marques, morris and austin. In addition to the companysponsored racing there were individuals who entered wolseley cars or cars with wolseley motors into races. Wolseley post vintage hornet the wolseley owners club. The first postwar development was the brand 10nr with a 4cylinder engine in 1260 cc, replacing stellite, and its modification by shortly before the war, equipped with motors displacement of 3,16,9 liters. The body is the original and most desirable on the hornet special chassis coachbuilt by whittingham and mitchel ltd of london. Full of information and the history of that exciting time in the racing of hornets at brooklands.
A mkii version was launched two years later, along with the 96bhp 1885s. Wolseley a very british car new book release wolseley. The wolseley hornet is a sixcylinder twelve fiscal horsepower lightweight automobile which. Doityourself servicing and maintenance for practical owners by staton abbey 1 jan 1964. The history file has old mots, the old green log book and lots of. When the now ubiquitous wolseley hornet was introduced to the public, it was a sober touring vehicle with a closed body, and it seems that little thought of a sports performance entered the minds of its makers.
379 1225 156 647 382 744 168 266 1254 1567 679 922 1335 1328 1324 338 968 538 517 666 1311 32 550 860 981 1294 1042 742 1381 840 1130 1250 1172