The 1962 Wolseley Hornet, a compact car, showcased British automotive elegance. An offshoot of the classic Mini, it boasted a distinctive grille and refined interior. Its 848cc engine delivered spirited performance. This blend of style and power marked a chapter in the iconic Wolseley brand's history.
Julien's Perspective
SOME THOUGHTS ON THIS MODEL
The Wolseley Hornet was evidently a Mini-based alternative for those buyers in period seeking a little added luxury....those were the days when saloon's were preferable to a hatch-back, not forgetting they were more expensive, that said, the 5th door didn't really come into its own until much later, I guess with the arrival of the Maxi!
I understand there are likely to be just 31 Wolseley Hornets registered and left on the road today, this car is known to the Elf & Hornet register and deemed to be the oldest surviving example.
The Heritage Certificate states this was a Home Market car, built and delivered during February 1962 to County Garages, Gerrads Cross, Bucks. Finished in Yukon Grey with an Old English White roof, trimmed in grey & white Cardinal Red fabric....one option specified was a heater !
Evidently a very early production car, I believe within the first 20 built, as its features the short lived but nicer looking rare flat wing arrangement. These were superseded by later seamed A pillar/wing arrangement which all Mini DNA production adopted soon afterwards due to pricing & ease of manufacturing.
Its evidently its had stabilising works over the years but remains highly original with a few bruises here & there, but remaining totally solid throughout. I love an interior like this, many will think slightly tatty but its all there apart from the 2 front seats have been replaced, I guess the originals just gave up the ghost. Actually the all red leather chairs don't look out of place and probably easier to match a red leather rear bench if you wished?
Coming from a very long standing Mini based enthusiast, actually his whole collection bar one car, a Suffix A Range Rover, are all Morris or Austin based cars....he purchased it some 10 years ago and only available now as a further rare Cooper project beckons.
I drove it across from near Guildford to Redhill and it rans perfectly...I understand the engine was replaced in the 70's for a later 1100 Mini unit, which I suppose helps its driveability today.
Pleasingly there's a cut out from Practical Classics, whilst at local Bromley car pageant in 2006, the original owner was unexpectedly but happily reunited with the Wolseley....he literally walked by and commented that he had owned one, low & behold it was this car!....he subsequently found & gave some photographs of him together with the car from 1962.....nice to have these and other photos on file at various Classic Car meets and alike.
