Wolseley 15/60 16/60 /20hp Open Drive Landaulette 1912
General description :
1912 Wolseley 16/20hp Open Drive Landaulette
Chassis number: 16229
Registration Number: AC2852
CAR NOW SOLD
An extraordinary survivor from bygone days & in museum quality original condition. This Wolseley 16/20hp has been in the current ownership for decades & only come to market due the advancing years of its current custodian.
In recent years it may have been spotted gently perabulatiing along Welsh B roads including some steep mountain grades. Its cruising speed, being a high geared town car is a comfortable 45mph on the flat.
Simply put: the car is a time warp. The interior is predominately grey Bedford cord with brocade & lace work accents. A useful occasional seat folds from the bulkhead allowing for a lady in waiting to accompany the rear occupants. Being a Landaulette the rear roof folds easily open for alfresco motoring after releasing the three latches & breaking the pram irons. To the front is patinated buttoned black leather along with a brush doormat underfoot.
Paint is patinated navy blue with black wings & all detail lines are picked out in red. It is older paint but beautifully patinated, very presentable & to change it would be a retrograde step. All original instrumentation is in place on the dash board along with assorted plaques attesting to places it has been shown over the years & rallies it has attneded, the earliest being from 1957.
The car is adorned with all the usual features one expects to find on a conveyance of this age. Beautiful & valuable nickel headlamps are fitted along with matching side lamps. A Parp Parp bulb type trumpet horn protrudes through the bulkhead. The top of the car is equipped with a roof rack to carry luggage & would be well suited to a selection of battered perdiod leather suit cases trunks & hat boxes to complete the ensemble.
Mechanically the car is utterly reliable with the only failure to proceed in the last 20 years baing down to an exploding beaded edge tyre; a situation quickly remedied by recourse to the running board mounted spare. The car comes with assorted papers including the original manufacturers brochure showing a similar model as new.
The engine is a 4 cylinder unit of a little over 3 litres. It starts readily on the handle & pulls well. The last owner, a railway engineer by profession has maintinaed the car well & done lots of preventative maintenance over the years such as dismantling inspecting & replacing assorted internals as required on engine & rear axle.
This is a car what woud do well in the preservation category at Pebble Beach & would be a suitable entrant for other events such as the Villa D'Este Concours etc.
Please Call Richard Biddulph for details. 0044 7967 260673
http://www.vintagerollsroycecars.com/sales/1606/1912-wolseley-16-20hp-open-drive-landaulette/
1912 Wolseley 15/60 16/60 /20hp Open Drive Landaulette is listed sold on ClassicDigest in Grays by Vintage Prestige for Not priced.
Car Facts
Car type : Car Make : Wolseley Model : 15/60 16/60 Model Version : /20hp Open Drive Landaulette Engine size : 0.0 Model Year : 1912 Sub type : Station wagon Location : Essex
Sold
Seller Information
Sold
Other cars listed for sale by this dealer
Rolls-Royce Silver Spur
Essex
Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit
Essex
Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud SI
Essex
Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith
Essex
MG TD
Essex
About Wolseley
The Wolseley Company has a rich history in the automotive industry, known for producing quality vehicles and eventually becoming part of badge engineering initiatives. Here's an overview of Wolseley's story:Early Years:
Founding: The Wolseley Company was founded by Herbert Austin in 1901. Initially, it specialized in manufacturing bicycles before transitioning into automobile production.
Innovations: Wolseley was known for its engineering innovations, producing cars with notable advancements for their time, including the first British car to have a fully enclosed body.
Growth and Success:
Expansion: Wolseley expanded rapidly during the early 20th century, gaining a reputation for quality and reliability. Their cars were popular among the upper-middle class and gained recognition in various international markets.
Motorsport Success: Wolseley had success in motorsport events, further enhancing its reputation for performance and reliability.
Badge Engineering:
BMC Merger: In the mid-20th century, Wolseley became part of the British Motor Corporation (BMC), which led to the concept of badge engineering—producing different models under various brand names within the same company.
Wolseley Mini:
Mini Variants: As part of the BMC, Wolseley released its version of the classic Mini, known as the Wolseley Hornet and the more luxurious Wolseley Elf.
Distinctive Design: The Wolseley Mini variants had a more upscale appearance compared to the standard Mini, featuring additional chrome trim, a different grille, and a more refined interior.
Later Years and Decline:
Integration into British Leyland: In 1968, BMC merged with Leyland Motors to form British Leyland. Wolseley cars were still produced, but the brand lost some of its distinctiveness due to shared platforms and components among various badge-engineered models within British Leyland.
Decline: Over time, the Wolseley brand lost its individual identity as badge engineering became more prevalent within British Leyland. The company faced challenges due to quality control issues, labor disputes, and market changes.
Legacy:
Contributions: Wolseley made significant contributions to the automotive industry, especially in the early 20th century, with its innovative designs and quality vehicles.
Badge Engineering Era: While the Wolseley Mini variants added a touch of elegance to the classic Mini design, the brand's significance diminished as it became part of the larger badge-engineered product line within British Leyland.
The Wolseley nameplate eventually disappeared in the 1970s as British Leyland rationalized its brands, and the company shifted focus towards other marques within its portfolio. Despite its decline, Wolseley remains a part of automotive history for its contributions and its role within the badge engineering initiatives of British Leyland.