Wolseley 6/99
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Wolseley 6/99 and 6/110 | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | BMC |
| Production: | 1959-1968 37,209 |
| Predecessor: | Wolseley 6/90 |
| Class: | FR fullsize car |
| Similar: | Austin Westminster Vanden Plas Princess |
| Body Styles: | 4-door saloon |
| Wolseley 6/99 | |
| Production: | 1958-1961 13,108 |
| Engines: | 2.9 L C-Series I6 |
| Wolseley 6/110 | |
| Production: | 1961-1971 24,101 |
| Engines: | 2.9 L C-Series I6 |
The Wolseley 6/99 was the final large Wolseley automobile. Styled by Pinin Farina with additions by BMC staff sylists, the basic vehicle was also sold by two of BMC's other marques as the Austin A99 Westminster and Vanden Plas Princess 3-Litre. Production began in 1959 and the cars were updated and renamed for 1961. The Wolseley remained in production as the Wolseley 6/110 through 1968. These cars were also marketed in Denmark as the Wolseley 300.
Note that there were two other Farina-designed car lines launched by BMC at the same time — the compact Austin A40 Farina and midsized Wolseley 15/60 and derivatives. Although similar-looking, the latter shares no body parts and few other parts with the big Wolseley.
[edit] Mark I
The first generation of the large Farinas was introduced with the Austin A99 Westminster, with the Wolseley 6/99 following shortly after in 1959 to replace the 6/90. It used the large 2.9 L (2912 cc) C-Series straight-6 engine from the Austin-Healey 3000.
[edit] Mark II
The large Farinas were updated in 1961 as the Austin A110 Westminster, Vanden Plas Princess 3-Litre Mk. II, and Wolseley 16/60. A Mark II model was released in 1964 with smaller (13 in) wheels and a 4-speed transmission. The Wolseley was discontinued in 1968. Only the Austin was replaced directly, with the unsuccessful Austin 3-litre, which remained in production through 1971. Luxurious Wolseley and Vanden Plas 3-litre versions both reached prototype stage, but went no further.
An enthusiastic and active worldwide owners club called the Cambridge-Oxford Owners Club caters for these cars and their 'Cambridge' derived four cylinder sisters. The club aims to keep the cars on the road, provides advice, spares and a social forum for enjoying the cars.
The Club can be contacted at: www.co-oc.org or UK phone number: 07966 249506
