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The Club for Wolseley Car Owners and Enthusiasts

WOLSELEY REGISTER

The original club for Wolseley owners and enthusiasts!

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Flood, smoke and blackout – 200 miles in a 100 year-old Wolseley

Owner: Tim & Co-driver: Andy.

Despite the title, our drive to display XC5602 on the Wolseley Register stand at the NEC Classic Motor Show was moderately trouble free.  We doubt that the Wolseley 16/20 had been back to Birmingham since it left the Adderley Park factory gates in 1919, so the trip seemed a fitting birthday tribute.  We chose a route from Wilsford, in deepest Wiltshire, largely following B-roads suited to a 35mph cruising speed, and were blessed with glorious sunshine as we meandered past various Cotswold landmarks.  Following the heavy rain earlier in the week – causing floods in various parts of the country – some of our lanes had turned into serious water splashes, and their muddy remains were evident on the car at the show.  The only serious mechanical issue was to do with the transmission brake, which is operated by the foot pedal; luckily the handbrake, acting on the rear wheel drums, is just as effective (i.e., not very).  The transmission brake saga started a few months ago, when inspection revealed the linings were non-existent, and the contracting shoes were wearing away the drum, which had also developed a serious crack.  We had only just got a new drum made and fitted, and centred (which is another story), and assembled with relined shoes, the day before the trip.  After a few miles the brake started to judder and smoke tremendously.  Investigation on arrival revealed that the linings had entirely worn/burnt away during the drive, and our current theory is that the linings were not suited for the high rubbing speeds of the prop brake.  Fortunately for us (but not the nice new drum), the brake worked quite nicely on the rivets during the return journey.  Talking of the return, against all advice, we drove home on the Sunday night.  The light traffic meant we could use A-roads (but we stuck to minor ones), and we rigged up a tailboard and flashing beacon to supplement the original CAV lighting, especially important for crawling up hills at 15-20mph.  All went well initially, with the reassuring 1200rpm throb of the Edwardian 3 litre side-valve never threatening to miss a beat.  Not having wipers, when the rain arrived at 11pm we opened the windscreen – not a problem.  However, the lights going out soon after was a problem.  It seems that the 100-year-old dynamo, although apparently churning out 12 amps throughout, wasn’t up to the job, and we hadn’t noticed the battery draining down to 8 volts (… as the well instrumented CAV switchbox helpfully indicated).  Fortunately we had a spare battery, and despite a concern that we might have a moisture-related short somewhere, it got us home.

Altogether a memorable way to celebrate an important birthday.  Each leg required about four and a half hours driving, with an extra couple of hours thrown in for the obligatory slap-up meal en route, so getting on for 7 hours end-to-end.  Where to next year?

Journey’s start
Avebury
Royal Wootton Bassett
Broadway
MaryArden’s House, Stratford-upon-Avon
Tim looking forward to sausage & mash, Chipping Norton!
Andy pleased that the lights are working again!
The warrior returns
Safely back in Tim’s Wolseley commune

1919 Wolseley 16/20 Tourer, XC5602:

  • 3 Litre, 4 cylinder side-valve engine
  • 4 speed ‘crash’ gearbox
  • Worm drive
  • Semi-elliptical front suspension.
  • Compensated cantilever rear suspension
  • Rear wheel and transmission brakes
  • Magneto ignition
  • Original CAV electric starting, dynamo and lighting set
  • Rudge Whitworth wire wheels
  • Beaded-edge tyres

This model was produced from 1910 to 1920, and for a period before WW1 was one of the most popular quality British designed cars in the country.

Present owner: Tim since 2017. The car was originally registered in London, and spent some time in the USA before being re-imported to the UK in 1980.

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Wolseley Register

4 days ago

Wolseley Register
The Resto Show returns to Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire on Sunday 12 October 2025. The show will feature Classic Car Displays, Live Restoration Demonstrations, Trade Stands, Seminars, Workshops and an Autojumble. Free parking, easy access and discounted tickets when booked in advance via www.restoration-show.co.ukThe Wolseley Register will have a stand at this show featuring restoration projects belonging to local members. ... See MoreSee Less
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EVENTS NEWS!

  • Read about our National Rally on 16-17 August and apply online to join us!  
  • The Register attended the 2025 BMC & Leyland Day
  • See which Wolseleys attended the 2025 Morris Vehicles Association Rally

OTHER NEWS!

  • In addition to our range of Series cars Head and Manifold gaskets, we now have in stock the triangular manifold to exhaust pipe gaskets! Have a look at the ‘Engine – Pre 1949’ website page, and then contact the Spares Consultant! 
  • We have now listed all of our duplicated Wolseley manuals available to members, see the website Library for details.
  • Brand new 6/90 rubbers, not available in the UK for many years, now available! (Only a small number of each, so place your orders now). Rubber parts include: engine/gearbox mounts; front/bump stops; steering column bushes; front/rear suspension rubbers; brake servo grommets and gearstick lower ferrules.     Look at the appropriate website pages for pictures, and then contact the Spares Consultant!

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Register Secretary

Anne Heywood
secretary@thewolseleyregister.com
10 Denbigh Close
Leyland
Lancashire PR25 4YY

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