Chassis No. - WA5418517

M.O.T. - Exempt

Odometer - 52,871

Considering BMC’s 1100/1300 range of cars topped the UK sales charts for no less than eight years between 1963 and 1971 it’s amazing how rarely examples are seen these days, and we’ve no doubt this tidy-looking Wolseley version turns a few heads whenever it ventures out. It’s had just four keepers from new, the most recent of which has retained the car for the last seven years. Along the way its original automatic transmission has been replaced by a four-speed manual gearbox and a rebuilt, lower-mileage MG 1300 engine fitted in place of the Wolseley one. It has also benefited from a range upgrades, including: a pair of rebuilt Cooper S carburettors, conversion from dynamo to alternator, and addition of a brake servo, electronic ignition and performance plugs and leads, and 13-inch steel wheels shod with good quality Avon tyres. The original front seats have been replaced with a pair of heated hip-hugging ones, the headlining renewed and high quality red-piped blue carpets installed. The vendor informs us that the body and subframes ‘are very solid and have been regularly Waxoyled’, and he currently classes the engine and gearbox as ‘excellent’, and the four-door bodywork, Trafalgar Blue and black paintwork and red leather upholstery as ‘good’. He is now offering the Wolseley complete with aftermarket rev-counter, pair of period spot lights, tow pack, mud flaps and a Sony audio unit.

Owing to the overt success of the Mini, it made eminent sense to employ the same designer to create a successor for the larger Austin A40 and Riley 1.5. Codenamed ADO16, the newcomer launched with a Morris badge in August 1962 was therefore penned by Alec Issigonis, and echoed the Mini in having an ‘A’ Series engine mounted east-west up front, driving the front wheels. Its technical innovations included single-piston swinging caliper disc front brakes and a ‘Hydrolastic’ interconnected fluid suspension system. The appealing styling was the work of Carrozzeria Pininfarina which, with minor adjustments, went on to wear not only Morris but Austin, MG, Riley, Wolseley and Vanden Plas badges during the model’s 13-year reign, over which 2.1million examples were sold.

In summary:

• Just four keepers and a registered 52,871 miles from new
• Converted from automatic to manual transmission
• Benefits form a range of desirable upgrades