Wolseley Hornet (1961–1969) History

Reviving the Hornet name for a very different car, the 1961 Wolseley Hornet was an upmarket variant of the Mini. It added longer, slightly finned rear wings and a larger boot to give a more conventional three-box shape, plus the Wolseley grille with its illuminated badge, extra chrome, and a wood-veneer dashboard.

It was launched simultaneously with the mechanically identical, slightly more expensive Riley Elf. Both gave Mini practicality a touch of traditional luxury, and both were discontinued in late 1969 as BMC rationalised its badge-engineered range.