Tag Archives: Wolseley

Cops Car – Wolseley Six Eighty

The Wolseley 6/80 was introduced in 1948 as an up market verison of the Morris Six MS both of which also shared the same body work from the front windscreen back with the Morris Oxford MO.

Wolseley 6/80, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

The Six Eighty like it’s Six MS sibling is powered by a 72hp overhead cam straight six motor which gave the car a tested top speed of 85 mph in ideal conditions.

Wolseley 6/80, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

Due to export priorities the Six Eighty was a rare car on British roads in period. Wolseley Six Eighties became well known as the favoured mode of Transport of the men in blue in no small part thanks to the rapidly expanding medium of television for which shows including The Invisible Man and films like Gideon’s Day, The Naked Truth and Town on Trial, all made in 1957.

Wolseley 6/80, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

The 6/80 came fitted with a heater, rear window blind and twin roof lights for rear seat passengers.

Wolseley 6/80, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

Twice as many 6/80’s were built as Morris Six MS between 1948 and 1954 with the final total thought to be 25,281.

Thanks for joining me on this “Cops Car” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Easiclean Wheels – Wolseley 14/56

Also known as the Fourteen Series II the Wolseley 14/56 was presented to the public in June 1936 and replaced the earlier ‘New Fourteen’ that had been in production since 1935.

Wolseley 14/56, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

The beautiful example seen here is thought to have been built in 1938 and has had just two owners the first family had it in storage for many years before recommissioning it with engine and suspension overhauls.

Wolseley 14/56, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

Along with Easiclean pressed steel wheels the 14/56 could be ordered with a hand operated ‘Jackall’ hydraulic pumping system which could raise the front and or rear wheels off the ground for ease of maintenance and the frequent wheel swapping necessitated by comparatively poor quality tyres available at the time.

Wolseley 14/56, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

Wolseley was being integrated into the Lord Nuffield’s Morris empire by 1938 but despite this had the 14/56 was powered by a superior motor to the equivalent Morris.

Wolseley 14/56, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

The overhead valve twin carburetor six cylinder Series II motor was upgraded from 1604 cc / 97.8 cui to 1818 cc /110.9 cui however for reasons that are not at all clear to me this particular car has an officially quoted 1701 cc / 103.8 cui motor.

Wolseley 14/56, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

The 14/56 remained in production until September 1938, by which time 15,000 example had been built, when it was replaced by the Wolseley 14/60 Series III.

Thanks for joining me on this “Easiclean Wheels” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Rally Landcrab Recreation – Morris 1800 (ADO 17)

1964 saw the launch of the third in range of Alec Issigonis practical front wheel drive British Motor Corporation (BMC) models that started with the Mini variations in 1959 progressed to the ADO16 1100 and 1300 variations first seen in 1962 and had grown to the ADO 17 1800 variations for 1964 with the launch of the Austin 1800 that was followed two years later by the Morris 1800 of the type featured today.

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Prior to the current owner of this 1966 model purchasing it for £200 on the 28th of February 2011 the car had spent 17 years in a barn and a further two years rotting in a garden because the clutch had failed in 1992.

Morris 1800, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol.

Since 2011 the owner has replaced the clutch, rebuilt and refurbished the braking system scraped, cleaned, etch primed and coated the under side in bitumen under seal and carried out a few welding repairs to the wings / fenders around the headlights.

Morris 1800, Classic and Sports Car Action Day, Castle Combe

By May 2012 the Morris had passed it MOT and was back in use as a daily driver. Since then the owner, a member of the Norton Radstock Classic Vehicle Club has attempted to use the vehicle as a starting point to recreate a period works rally car of the type that was used in the 1968 London to Sydney and 1970 London to Mexico World Cup Rally marathons where Landcrabs finished 2nd and 9th respectively.

Morris 1800, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol.

The AD0 17’s in Austin, Morris and Wolseley guises, all affectionately known as land crabs were extremely roomy and rugged vehicles but ultimately even in up market Wolseley guise a touch to pragmatic for owners of vehicles of this size and consequently did not perform in the market as expected. The ADO 17’s were eventually produced in three different series being joined by six cylinder 2200 variations in the third series from 1972. Production of the Morris 1800/2200 variants totaled 95,271 between 1966 and 1975 when the model was replaced by the new wedge shaped ADO 71 Morris 1800 and 2200 which soon after became known as the Princess.

Thanks for joining me on this Morris 1800 (ADO 17) edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”, I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Cotswold Classic Car Club – Frogmill Andoversford

Forgoing a New Years day hangover I a woke yesterday just in time to throw a bucket of water over my Golf and head down to Queen Square in Bristol where I met my friend Ted and his friend Ron with a few other Avenue Drivers Club regulars.

Ford, Queen Square Bristol

The meeting was not a regular Avenue Drivers Club event, they only happen on the second Sunday of every month the next one is scheduled for Sunday 13th. We were meeting with the intention of heading 40 miles north to the Frogmill Inn, Andoversford where the Cotswold Classic Car Club was having it’s annual New Years Day Meeting.

Scimitar GTE, Queen Square, Bristol

Ron led the way in his recently acquired 1972 Reliant Scimitar GTE Automatic.

Cotswold Classic Car Club, Frogmill, Andoversford

After a pleasant drive under unusual blue skies we arrived at Frogmill an hour ahead of the advertised time to find the car parks filled with a variety of veteran, vintage and classic vehicles.

Bristol 411, Frogmill, Andoversford

Some of them will be familiar to regular GALPOT readers like this Bristol 411 which I featured a couple of years ago.

Amphicar, Frogmill, Andoversford

This time last year the United Kingdom was preparing for a drought but the weather has since conspired to make 2012 the wettest since records began which should be good news for owners of amphibious vehicles like this Triumph powered 1967 Amphicar.

Invicta, Frogmill Inn, Andoversford

Amongst the vintage vehicles present was this Meadows powered 4.5 litre 1931 Invicta which would have been capable of 100mph when new.

Vauxhall Victor, Frogmill Inn, Andoversford

The 1961 Vauxhall Victor F type above was originally sold by Haines & Strange in Cheltenham, it spent 10 years in Switzerland before being found in a barn in the UK by it’s present owner in 1999. It has been undergoing restoration ever since.

Morris Marina 1.3 Coupé, Frogmill Inn, Andoversford

One of the stranger classics was at the meeting was this 1972 Morris Marina 1.3 Coupé, once a familiar sight on British roads and the subject of a fair amount of derision for rust among other issues. The Maurice Morihno Racing Team logo appears to be pointing further fun at the model examples of which were used in competition rally events back in the day.

Jaguar XK 140 FHC, Frogmill Inn, Andoversford

Signs are that this 1956 Jaguar XK140 FHC may have spent some time in the USA, the UCLA sticker on the back window being an obvious example.

Studebaker Commander, Frogmill Inn, Andoversford

This 1950 Studebaker Commander was only imported into the UK a couple of months ago it would appear to be powered by a 5.7 litre / 347 cui V8.

Wolseley 1500, Frogmill, Andoversford

This 1959 Wolseley 1500 is built on a Morris Minor floorplan and fitted with a larger motor and gearbox from the MG ZB.

Pontiac Firehawk, Frogmill Inn, Andoversford

According to it’s ‘Birth Certificate’ this manual Pontiac Firehawk Mapleleaf Transam was built on February 28th 1999 at LaSalle in Quebec with speedo reading in kilometers for the Canadian market, it’s capable of covering a quarter mile in 13.4 secs and has a restricted top speed of 160 mph.

Triumph Mayflower, Frogmill Inn, Andoversford

Conceived as a small car, same size as a Morris Minor, but following the styling queues of contemporary large Rolls Royce and Bentley models the Triumph Mayflower was aimed squarely at the US market, only 35,000 were built between 1949 and 1953 well below the targeted numbers.

Gilbern Genie, Frogmill Inn, Andoversford

Finally in the overflow car park I found this 1968 Gilbern Genie, built in Wales and powered by a 3 litre 183 cui Ford (Essex) V6 beneath the fibre glass bodywork the suspension is largely inherited from the MG B.

My thanks to Ted Walker for alerting me to the Cotswold Classic Car Club New Years Day meeting.

Thanks for joining me on this “Cotswold Classic Car Club” edition of “Gettin a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

PS Details of some of the vehicles seen at Frogmill can be seen on this link.

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Coffee, Croissant & Cars #5 – Avenue Drivers Club

Last Sunday I was due to take part in a production trial however for the second time this season heavy rain the week before saw the event canceled so I trundled down the hill to Queen Square in Bristol on Sunday for a morning of Coffee, Croissant & Cars, well actually Rooisbos Tea, Lemon Cake and Cars but I’m sure you’ll forgive the truth getting in the way of a good headline.

Robin Hood S7, Avenue Drivers Club, Bristol

Adding to the collection of vehicle manufacturers I have never heard of before, above is a Robin Hood S7, a kit car made, quelle surprise, in Nottingham, unlike the Caterham 7 the Robin Hood uses a steel monocoque chassis in place of the space frame chassis of it’s better known competitor.

Nissan 100 NX Pacific, Avenue Drivers Club, Bristol

Nissan’s 100NX is a small sports orientated vehicle alongside the 200SX and larger 300ZX that was built from 1991 to 1996. The Targa top is a factory option unlike the wild body panels on the front and sides.

Triumph Stag, Avenue Drivers Club, Bristol

A law student friend of mine had a Triumph Stag back in the early 1980’s and he used to take great delight in filling it with five people and going into town for a wild night out on the tiles in it. Regrettably it was in nowhere near as good condition as this example built in 1971.

Citroen 2CV, Avenue Drivers Club, Bristol

Easily the most fun car I have ever driven is Citroen’s 2CV this one dates from 1989 just over a year before production came to an end after 42 years.

Marcos Mantara, Avenue Drivers Club, Bristol

In 1992 Marcos abandoned the kit car market in favour of manufacturing complete vehicles like the Mantara, this 1996 model is powered by a 3.9 litre / 240.7 cui all aluminium Rover V8 that dates back to Buick in 1960.

Wolseley 1500, Avenue Drivers Club, Bristol

This 1961 Series II Wolseley 1500 share it’s chassis and running gear with the Morris Minor but shares its body with the Riley 1.5.

Jensen 541, Avenue Drivers Club, Bristol

This 1956 Jensen 541 is powered by a 125 hp Austin Sheerline six cylinder limousine motor enough to give glass fibre the four seater a 120 mph plus performance.

Austin Seven, Avenue Drivers Club, Bristol

The sort of car one might have expected to see taking part in Production car trials in 1938 is this Austin Seven, probably nearly as much driving one of these as a 2CV judging by the smile on the drivers face.

BMW M3, Avenue Drivers Club, Bristol

The BMW M3 was primarily devised as a production car on which to base racing versions to run against the Ford Sierra RS Cosworth and Mercedes 190 2.3-16V. It had 12 body panels that differed to the stand 3 series E30 body shell including the high boot / trunk lid and spoiler. This completely original 1987 example looks like is a sure Concours d’Elegance winner.

TVR Vixen S2, Avenue Drivers Club, Bristol

Launched in 1967 with an 88 hp Ford Kent motor the glass fibre bodied TVR Vixen easily out performed mass produced sports cars like the large engined MGB GT, the example above is a 1969 Vixen S2.

Austin 1800, Avenue Drivers Club, Bristol

The Austin 1800 was voted Car of the Year in 1965 when it was launched, it’s odd dimensions are the result of it having a transverse mounted motor and front wheel drive. Over the years it was steadily improved the car above appears to be a 1973 Series 3 version.

Ford F100, Avenue Drivers Club, Bristol

Finally just as the morning came to a close a couple of US 8 foot beds that never have to be made turned up including this 1971 fifth Generation Ford F100 which comes with a 5.9 litre / 359 cui V8 motor.

Thanks for joining me on this “Coffee, Croissant & Cars #5” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at a little pick up. Don’t forget to come back now !

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International Favorite – MG Magnette ZB

There are six MG’s models in three model groups which have had been marketed with Magnette name :- the K and N types built from 1932 to 1936, the Wolseley based ZA and ZB types built from 1953 to 1958 and the BMC Farina bodied Mark III and Mark IV built from 1959 to 1968.

MG Magnette, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

Today’s 1957 Magnette ZB, seen earlier this year at the 33rd Bristol Classic Car Show, is the fourth iteration based on the Wolseley 15/50 built from 1956 to 1958.

MG Magnette, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

The Magnette ZA was launched in 1953 with a cut down body similar to the Wolseley 14/40 launched earlier the same year. The only interchangeable panels between the two models, and those of the later ZB, launched in 1956 and Wolseley 15/50 are the front doors, roof and boot lid.

MG Magnette, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

Gerald Palmer was responsible for the detail differences between the ZA and Wolseley 14/40. The ZA would became the first unitary monocoque constructed MG without a separate chassis.

MG Magnette, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

The ZB, seen here, features a 64 hp motor, up from 60 hp on the ZA, with a bigger carburetor and higher compression ratio than the original British Motor Corporation (BMC) B- Series motor used for the ZA, was capable of 86 mph with a rest to 60 mph time of 18.5 seconds.

MG Magnette, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

With advertising advertising benefits like “Spots-car Performance, Family-car Comfort, Small-car Economy” and a strap line that ran “Style and luxury combined with the nimble roadability that has made the MG and international favorite” the low slung ZB outsold the Wolseley 15/50 BMC stable mate by 3 to 2 with 18,524 being built from 1956 to 1958.

Thanks for joining me on this “International Favorite” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow for a look at a Brooklands legend. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Corporate Fudge – MG SA

In 1935 MG merged with Morris Motors and Leonard Lord was appointed by Lord Nuffield to look after his interests at MG over Cecil Kimber. The plan was for MG to move away from it’s sporty roots and to rationalise it’s model line with Wolseley another marque with in the group.

MG SA Charlsworth Tourer, Brooklands

Kimber recognised that Leonard Lord’s intention to sell a Wolseley with an MG radiator at a premium price was not going to work and persuaded Lord to let him design a distinctive body on a, heavy, Wolseley Super Six chassis.

MG SA Charlsworth Tourer, Brooklands

The new car suffered from corporate indecision resulting in production delays and numerous specification changes including two complete upgrades to compete with the very first, superior, Jaguar which was launched at the same time.

MG SA Charlsworth Tourer, Brooklands

The Saloon body was made in house by Morris, it would later be joined by a Charlesworth open tourer and Tickford drophead Coupé.

MG SA Charlsworth Tourer, Brooklands

Rationalisation meant that a 75 hp Wolseley Super Six derived motor with pushrod operated valves was chosen in favor of MG’s own overhead cam unit leaving the car underpowered much like MG’s earlier 18/80’s.

MG SA Charlsworth Tourer, Brooklands

At £375 the saloon was well appointed with leather seats and a walnut dash, among the options offered was a Philco radio for 18 Guineas (£18.90).

MG SA Charlsworth Tourer, Brooklands

MG enthusiasts did not take too kindly to the new model with it’s heavy chassis and retrograde pushrod engine and many sales were lost to Jaguar as a result of production delay’s.

MG SA Charlsworth Tourer, Brooklands

In all over 2,700 SA’s were built between 1936 and 1939 with 350 of them being exported to Germany.

Thanks for joining me on this “Corporate Fudge” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t for get to come back now !

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