Wolseley Series II
by Anders Clausager, former Wolseley Register Historian and archivist to the BMIHT
The Wolseley Series II commenced with the Super Six 16hp, 21hp and 25hp models, launched at the 1935 Motor Show. In 1936, the 10/40, 12/48 and 14/56 models followed; the final Series II model was the 18/80 (1937). However, the Series II had a short life; the first Series III models appeared in the 1937 Motor show, and a year later the last Series II models went out of production.
Superficially, these cars look like the contemporary Morris Series II models, but the bodies (except for the rare coupes) are quite different, and the Wolseleys had overhead valve engines, four-speed gearboxes and pressed-steel ‘Easiclean’ wheels, all of which were not usually found on Morris cars between 1937 and 1938. Wolseleys were also sometimes distinguished by three-tone colour schemes.
There were still some various body styles. Fixed-head coupe bodies were available on the 10/40, 12/48 and Super Six chassis; there was the ‘Salon-de-Ville’ on the 14/56, 18/80 and 25hp chassis; the long wheelbase 25hp chassis was offered with either a limousine or a landaulette body; and for police use, there was a tourer bodied 14/56. Quite a few cars were given special bodywork, drophead coupes by a variety of coachbuilders, including the Maltby Redfern and Eustace Watkins tourers.
The Series II 16hp Super Sixes.
Another Series II 16hp found!
Series II, Super Six 25h.p. Coupe
The only 25h.p. Coupe ever recorded by the Register was in Scotland in the 1970s when it had its engine and gearbox removed. It is believed to still be in existence.
Series II, Super Six 25h.p. Salon-de-Ville and Single Limousine
The Salon-de-Ville and Single Limousine produced on the 25h.p. chassis were essentially identical except for the interior. The Salon having a standard interior, while the Single Limousine had a partition between the driver and rear seat occupants, leather in the front and cord for the back compartment. No Salon-de-Ville or Single Limousine has ever been recorded by the Register; though a totally original Salon-de-Ville was discovered and brought back to life following a meticulous restoration.
Series II, Super Six 25h.p. Sportsman Saloon
One Wolseley Super Six Sportsman Saloon is known to survive, in excellent condition, in regular use and much loved by its owner in Ireland. Have you ever seen another?
These are some of the rarest and most desirable Series Models ever made, yet they were only produced in very small quantities. Have you ever seen, or owned, a Series II 25hp Coupe, Salon-de-Ville, Single Limousine or Sportsman Saloon? If so, we want to hear from you!
Wolseley Series III
by Anders Clausager, former Wolseley Register Historian and archivist to the BMIHT
The first Wolseley Series III models were launched at the 1937 Motor Show. These were the 12/48 and the Super Six in 16, 21 and 25hp forms.
A year later, the 14/60, 16/65 and 18/85 models followed. The 16/65 replaced the unsuccessful Super Six 16hp. In 1938, there were also two other versions of the 25hp car, a long wheelbase limousine and the delectable drophead coupe. The ‘New Ten’ was launched in the spring of 1939, in the saloon and shortly afterwards drophead coupe forms and, but for the outbreak of war, the Eight would have been introduced in the autumn of 1939.
Car production was recommenced in 1945, at first with the 18/85 and 14/60 models, soon joined by the 12/48, the Ten and the delayed Eight, which made its bow in 1946. In 1947, the 25hp limousine was also reintroduced, but none of the other big Super Six models came back.
As far as body styles were concerned, there was less variety within the Series III. Apart from the two drophead coupé models (which did not survive the war) there was a handful of Police tourers on the 14/60 chassis; otherwise all these cars had saloon (or limousine) bodies. Pre-war, a few chassis were still supplied to coachbuilders; Eustace Watkins offered an 18/85 drophead coupé and a Ten tourer, and there were also a few 14/60 ‘Redfern’ tourers.
Nuffield Oxford Taxi
The Nuffield Oxford Taxi, initially produced as the Wolseley Oxford Taxicab was the first new taxicab designed to comply with the Metropolitan Police Conditions of Fitness for London taxicabs to be launched on the British market after the end of the Second World War. The Oxford was introduced at the Commercial Motor Exhibition of 1947, and a fleet of new cabs served to carry guests from the wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten at Westminster Abbey in November of that year.
It was powered by an 1802-cc, petrol inline-four engine with a dry sump, based on an industrial version of an engine used in pre-war Morris and MG cars. The gearbox had four speeds with synchromesh on second, third, and top. The brakes were mechanically operated by rods and the back axle was worm gear driven. A four-door hire car version was also made.
For Wolseley Series II & III enquiries,
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