Wolseley Model History

United Kingdom · founded 1901

A defunct British marque (1901–1975) — Britain's biggest carmaker in the Edwardian era, later BMC's upmarket badge-engineered saloon with its illuminated grille badge.

Models

Hornet

Wolseley's overhead-cam six-cylinder light car of the 1930s — a popular, affordable sporting machine in saloon, coupé and open forms.

Sports car · 1930–1936
6/80

Wolseley's post-war flagship saloon (1948–1954) — an overhead-cam six famous as the British police car of its era.

Full-size car · 1948–1954
4/50

The four-cylinder companion to the 6/80 (1948–1953) — an upmarket OHC saloon that sold in far smaller numbers than its six.

Large family car · 1948–1953
4/44

An elegant mid-1950s sports saloon (1953–1956) closely related to the MG Magnette ZA — about 29,845 built.

Mid-size car · 1953–1956
15/50

The B-series-engined successor to the 4/44 (1956–1958) — a short-lived bridge to the Farina-styled 15/60.

Mid-size car · 1956–1958
6/99

A Pininfarina-styled big six (1959–1961) — the upmarket BMC sister of the Austin A99 Westminster.

Full-size car · 1959–1961
6/110

The longer, more powerful evolution of the 6/99 (1961–1968) — the Austin A110 Westminster's upmarket twin.

Full-size car · 1961–1968
1500

A compact, well-trimmed saloon on the Morris Minor floorpan (1957–1965) — twin of the sportier Riley One-Point-Five.

Compact car · 1957–1965
Hornet (1961–1969)

A luxury booted Mini (1961–1969) with the traditional Wolseley grille — twin of the Riley Elf.

Economy car · 1961–1969
1100/1300

Wolseley's version of the best-selling BMC 1100/1300 (ADO16) — a plush, front-drive Issigonis-engineered saloon.

Compact car · 1965–1973
18/85

The luxury 'landcrab' (1967–1975) — a plush Austin 1800, later the six-cylinder Wolseley Six, and the last traditional Wolseley.

Large family car · 1967–1975
18-22 Series

The wedge-shaped final Wolseley (1975) — sold for only months before the range was relaunched as the BL Princess, ending the marque.

Large family car · 1975–1975

Other makes