Issue 163

WORLD The Register caters for all Wolseley cars (1895-1975) The journal of the Wolseley Register

May/June 2013

www.wolseleyworld.com www.wolseleyregister.co.uk WOLSELEY WORLD May/June 2013 Issue 163 Contents Editor’s Column Chairman’s Corner 4 Amy Ryder, Editor [6547] Welcome Aboard! 5 Letters and emails 9 elcome to the latest issue of Wolseley Register Regalia 16 Wolseley World – I am very FBHVC Newsletter 17 Wrelieved to have sent this off Out and About 20 to print considering all my weekends Six-Ninety Repatriation 29 have been very busy lately! This is my Classified Adverts 33 last magazine as Miss Ryder – next Book Review: Carscapes 37 time this column will be written by The Wolseley Ten 41 Mrs Egan, but it’s still me!

Contact Details I hope you have managed to get your National Committee 6 Wolseleys out of hibernation – many Technical Advisers 7 started the rally season on Drive it Spares Contacts 7 Day in April. There are many pictures Regional Representatives 8 and reports in this issue.

Cover Photographs By the time you read this, the Morris Centenary celebrations at Cornbury Wolseleys everywhere came out for Park will be upon us. The Wolseley Drive it Day – pictured are displays Register will have a stand, marking by the Register’s Scottish and South our place in the history of Morris. I East Regions. Read all Drive it Day hope to see many of you there at this reports in the ‘Out and About’ pages. landmark event. Turn to page 36 for details of another opportunity to mark ‘Wolseley Register’ and ‘Wolseley the centenary later in the year. World’ are registered trademarks of the Wolseley Register. Copyright of all The next big item on the Wolseley articles, pictures and other material in calendar after that is the National Wolseley World is with the named author Rally in August. Application forms of the material or by default the Wolseley were sent with the previous magazine Register. No unauthorised reproduction, or can be found on the website. An in part or in whole, is permitted without update on the Rally is on page 15. express permission. Permission should be sought from the Editor in the first instance. Deadline for next Issue Printed by The Lavenham Press Ltd 15 July 2013 Web: www.lpl-uk.com Tel: 01787 247436

3 Chairman’s Corner You will have seen in the last Geoff Craggs, Chairman [476] magazine our cheque presentation to Nuffield Place. As all of us who ell, the “season” is now well were in any way involved with the under way, as witness the Tour of Britain will be aware Stuart Watrocious weather we are Nell our Secretary was the prime experiencing as I write this – rather mover in the fundraising and indeed late, as usual, and likely to incur the in the organisation of the Tour, and I wrath of our worthy Editor – although don’t think Stuart has been thanked she will doubtless have other more formally in the World for his efforts, pressing matters on her mind, such which resulted in the substantial as her impending march down the cheque which was presented – some aisle in July to become Mrs Egan! of which will, we understand, be used very appropriately for the Seriously, for once, I would like to restoration to good running order of wish Amy and Chris all the very Lady Nuffield’s Wolseley 8. Stuart best in their future life as man and twisted several arms (both private wife from the Register members. and corporate) to fund the rather nice Amy is a Wolseley Register treasure, commemorative Tour book, which not only for her superb work on our was sent to every Register member. publications but for everything else Thank you, Stuart, and thanks also of she does for us, along with her equally course to everyone who sponsored the irreplaceable parents Graham and book and who took part in the Tour Jenny Ryder. and fundraising.

At our last Executive Committee Betty and I are heading for the meeting we regretfully accepted the Northumberland Gathering with resignation of Graham Whitaker as other North East members to meet Membership Secretary. Graham took up with our Scottish and North West over the role at a difficult time, and friends – whatever the weather I am he deserves our thanks for his work sure we’ll all have a good “natter” on the Register’s behalf – not least and I don’t suppose the hotel roof for so generously supplying the 2012 will leak! I understand that Chris National Rally plaques. Graham has Arnold’s preparations for the East been under increasing pressure, but we Anglia Tour are now well advanced, hope to see him around in the future, as is the work on the National Rally when work and health permits. In the at Ickworth, thanks to Graham and meantime, membership matters are Jenny Ryder, with a great deal of help being handled by the website team, this year from Chris. led by Bob Langston, until such time as the position has been filled; job Get those Wolseleys out and about opportunity for a computer-literate if you can – if yours is still “in and dedicated member! restoration”, set a target to get it on the road – preferably this year!

4 Letters & emails

12/48 in America Stuart McCallum

his Series III 12/48 was recently discovered in Utah, USA. It has Tbeen purchased by Bill Davis from Salt Lake City, Utah, who is a frenetic classic car collector, particularly British classic cars.

The car was originally registered HXT 56, which is a Middlesex registration and has chassis number 312/11178 which makes it a post-car car. Bill was not sure what year the car was produced, or where is was originally registered; the car was not known to the Register and interestingly there is another Series III 12/48 on the List of Recorded Vehicles registered HXT 60 which was registered in February 1947.

The engine is currently seized, so next jobs are to get it recommissioned, road legal and it then can be used for local trips and even perhaps displayed at the British Field Day (www.britishfieldday.com), which Bill organises each year.

Calling all Wolseleys near the New Forest... Linda Hammerton [6394]

live in the New Forest between Southampton and Bournemouth, and sadly we do not see many Wolseleys down this way. After talking to another I Wolseley owner I know, we are planning a get-together at the Burley Show in the New Forest on 3 August. It is a very good show with lots going on, and you can also go into the village for something to eat, or take a walk in the forest. Cars can arrive from 11.00am. We hope to see you – I will be there with my 1500 Mk I. You can just turn up, or call me on 01425 403573 (evenings).

9 Taxing MoT-exempt vehicles at Post Offices Bruce Henderson

s you will no doubt be aware, I wonder if any Wolseley Register the Department for Transport members have had the same experience A(DfT) introduced an exemption when taxing at a Post Office? from MoT requirement for pre-1960 vehicles last November. As you would expect, since the exemption was introduced, a number of As DVLA official for the 6/80 & vehicles have been advertised for sale MO Club, it is my responsibility to as MoT exempt (or perceived exempt). guide our members in all matters Another car club recently brought a concerning DfT and DVLA legislation. Wolseley 1500 to my attention, which I am currently drawing up an alert was advertised as a 1959 exempted to DVLA concerning an apparent vehicle, whereas it was in fact a 1962 anomaly in the process of taxing such model. If the owner were to tax it at vehicles at Post Offices. a Post Office and complete a V112, they would be committing fraud, but I recently went to my local Post Office my concern is that the only evidence, to tax my Morris. I completed and i.e. the signed V112, is in the owner’s signed the V112 (exemption from hands and can be destroyed. This will MoT requirement) and handed it to form the basis of my report to DVLA. the Counter Assistant, who read it and then handed it back, saying it had to If any members have had the same be retained by the owner and produced experience, please contact Bruce via in subsequent years. I volunteered the Patrick Carroll who is both a Register V5C to prove the exemption, but the member, and President of the 6/80 & Assistant said it was not required. In MO Club. Call 01494 432797 or email effect, they accepted my word that the [email protected]. car is MoT exempt.

Wolseley Car Club New Zealand 2014 Rally Colin Hey

he Christchurch Branch of the Wolseley Car Club NZ is pleased to confirm that the 2014 New Zealand National Rally will be centred in the Tidyllic South Island township of Methven, only 70km from Christchurch, nestled in the shadow of the Southern Alps and the Mount Hutt ski resort.

The rally will be held 23-28 February 2014. A Rally Committee has been established, an accommodation and venue base has been booked, and a programme drafted. For details, please email Colin Hey [email protected] or Allan Francis [email protected].

11 Still Touring Malcolm and Tracey Page [6724]

his is Betsy, a 1964 16/60. We had been looking for a car for some Ttime, but they were all “up north” and we had been disappointed after travelling to see a few to find they did not match their description.

After seeing this car at a dealers in Sussex, we instantly decided to buy it. Register members Last summer Brian and Jenny Thomas bought the car at the last minute to complete the Tour of Britain, and subsequently sold it back to the same dealer. As new members of the Register, we read the Tour souvenir booklet with interest and enjoyed hearing about Betsy’s adventures.

Although she was running well, I needed to have a good look at the car. Amongst other things, I found that the throttle linkage was fitted incorrectly – it would only allow an opening of about 60% with the foot hard on the floor. Assuming the dealer hasn’t done any work to the car, this means the entire Tour was made without full throttle! Before I discovered this, the car had completed a 700-mile trip into France! I didn’t notice any real lack of power, just that I had to change down manually when needed. She will be back on the road very shortly.

History of New Fourteen and her maid on annual holiday to the Christopher Spittal [6373] Angus village of Kirriemuir. She was driven back and forth by Alex Farmer egister members might be who owned the garage. interested in the history of my Rcar which I am now reluctantly On her death she bequeathed the car putting up for sale [see page 33]. It is a to him, who in turn willed it to his two 1935 New Fourteen Deluxe which has nephews Alex and George who both always resided in the Kingdom of Fife still live in Leven. It stood in a lock up within 10 miles of the first owner’s for many years until it was acquired in home. 1991 by Jack Smith of Kirkcaldy, who carried out a full rebuild to the highest Bought new in 1935 by a Miss quality. I have the photographic record Kermack, ASP 359 was supplied by of all stages. J Macdonald Motor House from the Fife coastal town of Leven. She kept Jack left the car to his daughter Isabel the car garaged at Farmers Garage in who had her brother-in-law look after Leven and the only time the vehicle it. After he died, I became the sixth ever left the premises was to take her owner of this beautiful car.

14 Out and About in the Wolseley World

SCOTTISH REGION Dick Peters [3566]

he Scottish Group marked Drive it Day on 21 April at TSummerlee in Coatbridge. The day was most expertly organised by our redoubtable fundraising champion, Joe Kelly, with the twin objectives of having a good (classic) day out and raising monies for CHAS.

We had a most creditable nine Wolseleys in attendance, all of which were lined up on their own exclusive wee podium [pictured above and on back cover].

These two pictures were taken during the Northumbria Gathering in May, when Wolseleys lined up outside Linden Hall Country House Hotel, and again at Wallingham House, Cambo. Weather on Friday was brill; Saturday was atrocious; Sunday was fine! A good time was had by all.

We hope to have as many Wolseleys as possible in attendance at events this year – our cars always generate a lot of interest from the visiting public. Please notify the Secretary of your intentions at the earliest possible date to enable the group application to be made.

Sun 11 August Biggar Rally, Lanarkshire

LOCAL MEETINGS: Classic car enthusiasts meet at Kaldi’s Restaurant, Baillieston, on the third Thursday the month from 7.30pm. For details, contact Joe Kelly on 01236 874327 or email [email protected].

20 NORTH WEST REGION Mike Stanley [1234] and Peter Cope [1984]

he season got off to a splendid start with our participation Tonce more at EventCity. Our display featured an excellent line up of Wolseleys: Roy Johnson’s 1927 E3, Bob Leyland’s 1936 16hp, Keith Atkinson’s 1939 12/48 and Millie Ashcroft’s 1968 Mini Hornet [pictured]. All created a great deal of interest.

These were set against the banner showing the Jubilee Tour cars from last year at Nuffield Place and we also proudly showed our ‘Car Club of 2012’ award.Thanks to Peter Cope and the members who displayed their Wolseleys, along with everyone else involved, including Jenny and Graham Ryder who supported the Regalia stall and transported the banner from the Midlands.

An enjoyable Drive it Day was had by a number of North West members, including Colin Briggs’ 1300, Bob Langston’s Morris 8 Tourer, Keith Atkinson’s 12/48, Bob and Geoff Cliffe’s 18/85 and Nick and Helyn Pighills’ Morris 8 Z type pick-up. While the day had started fine, the rain arrived just before we reached our meeting point at the Lakeland Motor Museum [pictured on back cover]. After coffee and a natter, we resolved to tour the area before returning to the museum. I can recommend a visit to all Register members whenever they are in the South Lakes area.

22-23 June 29th 1000 Engine Rally, Astle Park, Chelford For details, email [email protected] 22-23 June Woodvale Rally, Victoria Park, Southport Sun 23 June Lymm Transport Day 13-14 July Manchester Airport Aviation & Transport Fair Sun 8 Sept Uppermill Show (NW stand TBC) Run by Tame Valley Vintage and Classic Car Club Sun 15 Sept Port Sunlight (NW stand TBC) Run by Tame Valley Vintage and Classic Car Club

21 EAST ANGLIA REGION Chris Arnold [6441]

reat cars and great weather resulted in a truly memorable first Wolseley Register East Anglian Drive it Day road run. Seven cars joined in Gwith the road run put together by Ian Kemp with his 1955 black 4/44 navigated by his sons James and George. Chris Arnold followed in his 1938 25hp DHC and John Parkinson drove Norman Geeson’s 1953 Bentley R Type.

At the half way stop we were delighted to meet up with more Register members. David Hands drove his 1937 Austin 7 Ruby and B.G. Nurse his 1957 Wolseley 1500. Les and Tricia Williams drove their 1967 Austin Westminster. A little later we were also joined by an MG Magnette from a local car club who seemed happier parked up with our cars. Thanks to Ian for organising. Pictures on front and back covers.

Wolseley owners meet informally in East Anglia on the second Tuesday of the month. Anyone within driving distance of Kings Lynn is welcome to join us at the Coach and Horses – contact Chris Arnold [page 8].

7-8 Sept Beaulieu Autojumble A local member has suggested driving down to Beaulieu on the Saturday morning, spending the afternoon at the Autojumble, spending Saturday night at a local hotel and visiting the event again on Sunday before heading home. A two-day ticket is £23.50 (if pre-booked) and includes entry to the museum and other attractions. Contact Chris Arnold [page 8] if you are interested so we can arrange car sharing.

SOUTH EAST REGION Alan Simmonds [571]

ould this be England?! Fantastic weather, blue skies and fluffy white clouds overhead. Ten lovely Wolseleys came out on Drive it Day and Clooked their best in our line-up at Sheffield Park, polished and shining in the bright weather [pictured on front and back covers].

One 12/48, 14/56 Redfern Tourer, 18hp, 25 Super Six, 6/80, 6/90, Six, and three 1500s provided a good spread of interesting models for our members and the visitors alike to admire. The East Sussex Morris Minor Owners Club shared the venue with us and our cars complemented each other.

Capability Brown’s gardens were beautiful in the sunshine, even if a little behindhand due to the bad weather we have endured this year. This event was heaven, everyone said the traffic on the way had been light and the driving a pleasure.

22 What more could we ask for in our over-congested south east corner of the country? We passed a few other interesting vehicles which must have been out for the same reason; in particular, two beautiful E-Types, a WWII Jeep, a pristine ex-BT Morris Commercial van and of course, MGs and Triumphs.

Sun 21 July Great Eastern Rally, Ingatestone Hall, Essex Outdoor meeting for all vintage and classic vehicles. Run by the Daimler and Lanchester Owners Club. Free for exhibitors and visitors. For details contact Adrian Hanwell 01723 341498 (no booking required). 10.00am – 5.00pm.

Sat 27 July South East Summer Afternoon Buffet, 1pm sharp Andrew Bull and Nelson have very kindly offered to host a buffet for club members and partners, who preferably should come in their Wolseleys.The cost is £10 per head to cover hot and cold buffet and soft drinks. You are welcome to bring alcohol. Please make your cheque payable to Nelson Ferreira and send to Alan by 28 June for catering purposes.

This is a change from our regular events and we can look forward to a great afternoon at their lovely home in a beautiful country setting with chef Nelson preparing the buffet. If you send Alan a self-addressed, stamped envelope with your payment, he will send a map by return.

The address is The Old Malthouse, Dunley Hill, Ranmore Common, Dorking, Surrey RH5 6SX. Tel: 01483 284400. Andrew commented that they are not easy to find so there will be an orange carrier bag attached to the footpath at the end of the track visible from Crocknorth Road. The A246 is the route to use – have a look on the internet. There is sufficient parking for all.

Sun 29 Sept South East Rally. Clandon Park (GU4 7RQ) We have been made welcome at this National Trust property on previous visits. The house, military museum, gardens and restaurant will all be open, or you may picnic in the grounds. No dogs please. Our cars can line up in front of the mansion, so do not go to the car park. This is our last club event before Christmas – please put this in your diary now and support your Region. It would be greatly appreciated if you will let Alan know if you are coming.

REGULAR MONTHLY MEETINGS are held at two venues from 8.00pm: • The Woolpack, Banstead (second Mondays). Contact Alan Simmonds on 020 8394 0700 or email [email protected]. • The Halfway House, Aterial Road (junction A127 and A128), West Horndon, Brentwood (third Wednesdays). Contact John Hollington on 0170 855 8661.

23 SOUTH AND WEST WALES REGION Mansel Lovering [6277]

egrettably, due to the lack of support, it was not possible to form a Committee at the meeting called for Sunday 28 April. Instead it was Rdecided, by the four Wolseley Register members who did attend, that we would continue to meet informally at the various events and shows which will be held during the coming months.

Pictured are Keith Morris, Henry Jones, Vaughan Jones, Valmai and Mansel Lovering, and Midnight the dog, with Vaughan’s mother and Allyson Davies seated at the front (Alan Davies was also present). We all enjoyed a look at the classic and vintage motorbikes on show at Pendine’s Museum of Speed, including memorabilia from the land speed record attempts.

29-30 June Towy Vally Show, Cothi Bridge, Carmarthenshire This event combines classic cars with farm machinery, exhibitions and steam models. This show field is near the National Botanical Gardens of Wales. 14 July Festival Fields Show, Pwll 27 July Classic Vehicle Display, Bailey Park, Abergavenny Entry £5 per vehicle – visit www.swshs.org.uk or call 07779 353948. 10 August Pontypridd Vintage Transport Day 11 August Skewen Vintage & Classic Show, Gnoll Park, Neath

NORTH EAST REGION Chris Cowell [5687]

embers have been attending meetings in Lincoln and York Mover the past few months, agreeing the programme of events for 2013 and putting the world to rights! This year we decided to do our own thing for Drive it Day, and Chris Cowell organised something a little different.

At 10.00am, Chris and Pam’s 14/56, Alan and Lillian Johnston’s 1500 and Peter and Judith Seaword’s

24 New Fourteen were waiting and the meeting point at the Middlesbrough Transporter bridge. After a phonecall, we established that Geoff and Betty Craggs were with Stuart Nell on the other side of the river! They retraced their route to bring their Six-Ninety and 18/85 back to join us, so we could all drive across the bridge together. We were very grateful to the bridge master for allowing us this treat and for giving up his Sunday morning to enable us to ‘travel in period style’.

Don Fothergill and his new 1500 [pictured] met us on the North bank, and led the convoy along the coast to Hartlepool. After lunch, we were free to visit the Maritime Museum, examine the historic sailing vessel Trincomalee or the former Humber paddle steamer The Wingfield Castle. A good day was had by all and the rain held off until the journey home. Thanks to everyone involved – how will we match it next year?

Sunday 12 May was the date of the COOC rally at Burton Agnes Hall [pictured]. It was a rather cool but bright and dry start to the day. We were situated next to the Landcrabs this year with a good turnout of Wolseleys across the stands. Among the winners in the Farina section was Alistair Murray’s 6/110. Despite the weather forcing an early finish, a substantial sum was raised for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

LOCAL MEETINGS: • YORK GROUP: Third Tuesdays from 7.45pm at The Crown Inn, Bolton Percy. NB on 18 June, bring your Wolseley along to Rufforth Gliding Club with our friends from the York Historic Vehicle Group from 6.00pm. • LINCOLN GROUP: The group have agreed to meet on the third Monday of every month over the summer from 8.00pm at The Woodcocks, Burton Water, near Lincoln.

On Wednesday 19 June, Wolseleys are welcome to the annual evening gathering of the Historic Commercial Vehicle Society at Manheim Auctions, Rothwell near Leeds from 6.30pm, with food available.

25 Sun 30 June Sledmere Hall Sun 21 July Newby Hall 10.30am start for both of these shows. Forms from Peter Seaword [page 6].

27-28 July North East Group Rally, Ripon Saturday run from Ripon to Pateley Bridge to visit the wonderful folk museum (free admission), or see the town and shops. Three-course evening meal for £14.45 at the Black Bull, Boroughbridge from 7.30pm. Sunday rally at Ripon Racecourse, starting at 10.00am. Entry forms from Peter Seaword [page 6]

Sun 11 Aug Petwood House Concours Join up with members of the Wolseley Hornet Special Club at this event at the Petwood House Hotel in Woodhall Spa and visit the ‘Dambusters’ museum. Details from Stuart Nell [page 6] or Jayne Fisher 01777 818985.

Mon 26 August Burniston Show, near Scarborough Information from Allan Marflitt 01723 363253 or email burnistonclassicevent@ hotmail.co.uk – apply by 10 August. Please note that incorrect contact details were published in the previous magazine – sorry for any inconvenience.

Sun 6 October Jubilee Rally, East Kirby Airfield By invitation of the MG Car Club (Lincolnshire Centre) to attend a Navigational Scatter Rally. For details contact Stuart Nell [page 6].

MIDLANDS REGION Graham Ryder [4746]

espite heavy rain preceding this event, the Pride of Longbridge Rally went ahead on 13 April and was well-supported. Several Wolseleys Dwere present amongst the wide variety of vehicles with a Longbridge connection. See report at www.austinlongbridgefederation.co.uk.

Several Midlands members enjoyed a visit to the Rock Houses at Kinver Edge near Stourbridge on Drive it Day. Some met for a carvery breakfast in Streetly before travelling in convoy, whilst others made their own way to the destination. Five cars parked up along the road and attracted interest from other visitors to the National Trust property [pictured on back cover]. These unique houses were carved into the sandstone ridge, and were inhabited until the 1950s. The weather enabled visitors to sit outside the cafe whilst enjoying the dramatic views across three counties.

On 28 April, Register members joined the Birmingham Morris Minor Branch Rally at The Bonded Warehouse in Stourbridge where John O’Callaghan’s 6/80 took second place in the Open Class.

26 6-7 July Cars in the Park, Beacon Park, Lichfield Free to enter charity event in aid of County Air Ambulance. Advise Graham if you require a place on the stand on Sunday. Visit www.carsinthepark.com. 21-22 July Rally in the Valley, Hilton, near Bridgnorth (WV15 5PD) A club stand has been requested at this event, recommended by local members. Application forms on www.therallyinthevalley.co.uk or via Graham Ryder.

28 July Walsall Classic Car Show, Walsall Arboretum (WS1 2QB) For the Midlands Regional Rally. Apply via Transtar Promotions (call 01922 643385 or email [email protected]), stating Wolseley Register.

4 August Mary Ann Evans Hospice Classic Transport Run Drive from the hospice in Nuneaton to Bosworth Water Park for plaque presentations and judging. Entry £15 (goes to the charity) – call 024 7686 5439 or visit www.maryannevans.org.uk for an entry form.

1 Sept Dudley Classic Car Show, Himley Hall (DY3 4DF) Apply via Transtar Promotions (call 01922 643385 or email transtar@talk21. com), stating Wolseley Register to be included on the Club stand.

19-20 Oct Bonded Warehouse Open Day, Stourbridge Sun 27 Oct Stoneleigh Restoration Show, Warwickshire

LOCAL MEETINGS: • Second Thursdays at Parson & Clerk (Toby Carvery), Chester Road North, Sutton Coldfield B73 6SP. 7.45pm for 8.00pm start – contact Graham [page 8] • Third Thursdays at The Bowling Green, Stoke Road, Stoke Prior, Worcs (off A38 between Bromsgrove/Droitwich) from 8.00pm. • Third Thursdays at Stoke Prior Social and Country Club, Westonhall Road, Stoke Prior, B60 4LA from 7.30pm – all classic car enthusiasts welcomed.

SOUTH WEST REGION Geoff Bennett [923]

e had three cars on display at the Bristol Classic Car Show this year: a Wolseley 15/60 owned by Dennis Millard; a Wolseley 18/85 Series WIII owned by Chris Lane and a Wolseley 15/50 belonging to Don and Mavis Gray.

The 15/60 is a 1959 model in it’s original Yukon Grey colour. Having had three previous owners, the mileage is 70,000 and it bears it’s original registration number. The last owner restored her to a very high standard. The car is in beautiful condition above and below, and at 53 years old drives beautifully.

27 The 18/85 was built in 1946 and is one of the first cars built after the second World War. The car has been the subject of a great deal of restoration over many years – and it’s not finished yet. A week before the show, she returned from a local coach trimmer with new head lining. Chris was very pleased to win the award of runner- up in the Best Pre-war car class [pictured – courtesy of Warren Marsh]. The judges stretched a point a little as the 18/85 is a pre-war design.

The 15/50 is a 1958 model in original champagne beige. The car is used regularly and shown at various local events. Having been restored in the 1980s, she was looking a little jaded by the time Don bought her 14 years ago and is the subject of an ongoing refurbishment.

Regalia was very well presented and drew a great deal of attention to our stand. I would like to thank everyone who contributed to making our display a credit to the Wolseley Register and the Wolseley marque. Thanks to our three car owners and also to Nigel Stevens, head of the Bristol Classic Car Show organisation team for inviting us and last, but by no means least, to the numerous visitors to our stand – Register members both actual and prospective.

We will be back next year, when the show will be held in June owing to Easter 2014 clashing with the traditional date.

3-4 August Castle Hill Car Festival, near South Molton, Devon This new event will have up to 1,000 classic and historic vehicles on display, with a full programme of arena events and an extensive autojumble. To book, visit www.castlehillcarfestival.co.uk or call 0800 612 6910 – exhibitors tickets £5 for the driver and one passenger for one or both days.

28 In their Day... The Wolseley Ten

The following article was part of the private collection of the late Ernest Shenton (1919-2012).

He had been a member of the VSCC, past president of the Alvis Owner Club, and an engineer of some distinction. He collected a wide range of motoring facts, figures and press cuttings for nearly all his life, and these have now been categorised in order of make or topic on behalf of his family, by Dave Culshaw DLC/BSC in the hope that they may prove of benefit to future vehicle researchers.

n the early days of the light-car ugly step. Passengers sat fairly high, movement before 1914, a go-ahead but low body sides at that time were Iand popular little car was the fashionable and a high screen kept Stellite four-cyclinder, 1,100cc side- the wind off fairly well at the cruising valve job, with cone clutch, worm- speeds then employed. driven back axle and a selling price of £158. When post-war conditions Overhead Cams allowed, many people expected the The engine of the new Ten was Stellite to reappear on the market with advanced for its year, with a vertical technical and bodily differences as a shaft at the front of the unit driving change in taste might then dictate. an overhead camshaft. The gear was, A Stellite was, indeed, listed in 1919 first, bevel and, later, spiral bevel. but it was soon announced that its The four cylinders were in a mono- sponsors now had other plans. bloc casting and were slightly larger than those of the Stellite, with a bore During the war, the Birmingham of 65 and a 95mm stroke. The cylinder Wolseley Co. factory made aeroengines head was detachable. Fan and dynamo largely under Hispano-Suiza licence, were both driven by belt from the using, of course, an overhead camshaft nose of the two-bearing crankshaft. to operate the valves. It was not The prototype was taxed on 10.5 RAC odd, then, that in 1920 their new de rating and gave 15bhp on the brake at luxe small car should also have this “normal revs”. feature. In common with the best of its contemporaries, the Wolseley From the crank a multiple-disc clutch Ten looked sedate but perky. By took the power via a torque-tube prop contrast to pre-war cars, which gave shaft to a three-speed gearbox in one the impression of being designed in with a worm-drive rear axle. The three unrelated sections, one line, ratios used were 15.8, 8 and 5.25 to united the radiator to the dickey seat, 1. Artillery-type wheels were fitted, and the bonnet merged neatly and shod with 710 by 90mm tyres, and the smoothly into the scuttle, without an wheelbase was 8ft 3ins. The track was

41 3ft 10ins and the two-seater weighted the wind behind. However, and 14cwt unladen. When bought out in overhead-camshaft engine as in the 1920, the Wolseley Ten was catalogued Wolseley simply pleads for tuning, at £545 – a high price for a small car, and it was not long before much although that cost covered electric higher speeds were being clocked. In starter, hood, screen, speedometer, 1922 the makers brought out a 10hp eight-day clock, spare wheel and tyre, sports model. It had a neat two-seater toolkit and both electric and bulb body with a spare wheel mounted horns. Even in 1920, many of these inside the sloping and pointed tail. items were still “extras” on a number A Vee windscreen replaced the usual of cars. north-and-south affair, disc wheels were fitted and a speed of 70mph Users of the first Tens admired their was mentioned. Like the touring lines, liked their bodywork and enjoyed models, it had a powerful clutch-stop the way they “revved”. One, indeed, which, although a little worrying to speaks of the “sominolent suspension, the novice, allowed lightning quick genteel appearance, noiseless trans- upward gear changes. mission and powerful brakes.” In the early cars the best cruising speed It is rather surprising when one looks was about 26mph (1,700rpm), and a the picture above to recall that the maximum about 40mph. Petrol the Wolseley Ten had a gallant and consumption varied from 33 to glorious career at Brooklands – not 38mpg, according to driving methods. in that guise, of course, but with all The most serious criticism of later components standard, including, it owners was that the high unsprung is alleged, the camshaft. Fitted with weight of the combined back axle and a shapely single-seater body, it won gearbox caused bouncing at speed and a number of races at the track, and, impaired the roadholding. driven by Capt A. G. Millar and G. A. Vandervell, it broke many long- In 1921, the car went into quantity distance records, including 500 miles production, with a corresponding price at over 80mph. fall. The two-seater was now £430. By 1923 a standard model, with less The engine was ten years ahead of full equipment, sold for £295, while a its time, for, in 1929, with very few four-seater, with greater wheelbase changes, the same layout was used and track, lower axle ratio and more in the overhead-camshaft Morris robust axles, was on sale at £425. Minor, and in the sports and racing MG Midgets. In six-cylinder form it An MG Ancestor developed into the Wolseley Hornet, In standard form the engine was MG Magna and Magnette. All of which fully extended at 2,660rpm or 14mph showed that the performances of A. G. in bottom gear; thus 3,000 revs (or Millar were “no flash in the pan,” and 45mph) in top was only obtainable underlined the soundness of this early in the early models downhill or with post-war design.

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