Wolseley 15/60
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| Wolseley 15/60 and 16/60 | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | BMC |
| Production | 1958-1971 87,661 |
| Successor | Wolseley 18/85 |
| Class | FF Mid-size car |
| Body style | 4-door saloon |
The Wolseley 15/60 was the first of the mid-sized Pinin Farina-styled automobiles from BMC. Launched in December 1958, the design would eventually be shared with seven other marques. All of the cars were updated in 1961 with a larger engine and new model designations. The Wolseley 16/60 was the last in production in until April 24th 1971.
Note that there were two other Farina-styled car lines launched by BMC at the same time — the compact Austin A40 Farina and large Wolseley 6/99/Austin A99 Westminster and derivatives.
Contents |
[edit] Wolseley 15/60
| Wolseley 15/60 | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | BMC |
| Production | 1958-1961 24,579 |
| Engine | 1.5 L B-Series I4 |
| Wheelbase | 99 inches (2514 mm)[1] |
| Length | 178 inches (4520 mm)[1] |
| Width | 63 inches (1600 mm)[1] |
| Related | Austin A55 Cambridge MG Magnette Mk. III Morris Oxford V Riley 4/68 Di Tella 1500 |
The first generation of the mid-sized Farinas was introduced with the Wolseley 15/60. Within months, the similar Riley 4/68, Austin A55 Cambridge Mk. II, MG Magnette Mk. III, and Morris Oxford V appeared as well. All five cars used the 1.5 L (1489 cc) B-Series straight-4 engine, though different tuning gave varying power output. The Wolseley was at the bottom with just 52 hp (39 kW), together with the Austin Cambridge and the Morris Oxford.
Later, the Farina design was licensed in Argentina and produced as the Di Tella 1500/Traveller/Argenta. Austin Cambridge CKD kits were assembled in The Netherlands (Molenaar-Amersfoort), Rhodesia, New Zealand and Australia.
[edit] Wolseley 16/60
| Wolseley 16/60 | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | BMC |
| Production | 1961-1971 63,082 |
| Engine | 1.6 L B-Series I4 |
| Related | Austin A60 Cambridge MG Magnette Mk. IV Morris Oxford VI Riley 4/72 |
Most of these cars lasted only until 1961, though the Di Tellas remained for four more years. The models were replaced with a slightly modified Farina body style and most were renamed. These were the Austin A60 Cambridge, MG Magnette Mk. IV, Morris Oxford VI, Riley 4/72, and Wolseley 16/60. These mostly remained in production through 1968, with no rear wheel drive Wolseley badged replacement produced the Wolseley remained until 1971.
Regarding production methods used to build this car, they actually were quite cheap and simple but nonetheless very adequate (or even more than that), BMC must have made a fortune on these cars.
The 16/60 models generally used the 1.6 L (1622 cc) B-Series engine. Again, the Wolseley tailed the pack at 61 hp (46 kW).
[edit] Wolseley 24/80
| Wolseley 24/80 | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | BMC Australia |
| Production | 1962-1965 |
| Engine | 2.4 L I6 |
One notable member of the family was the Australian Wolseley 24/80. The 24/80 was powered by a six cylinder version of the 1622cc B series engine, known as the "Blue Streak" straight-6 with a capacity of 2433cc and developing 80bhp. Coupled to the engine was a 3-speed gearbox, adapted from the Metropolitan, with synchromesh on the upper two ratios and a steering column gearchange. The radiator, which in the four cylinder cars was mounted behind the bonnet-locking bar was now placed in front of the bonnet-locking bar, immediately behind the grille. Released in April 1962, the Wolseley 24/80 was externally identical to the 15/60 except for the wheelbase, which was an inch longer. The interior was the same as that used in the 15/60. Originally it was available only with manual transmission but later a Borg Warner 35 3-speed automatic transmission was offered as an option. Mark II versions were released in October 1964, the Mark II having identical styling to the 16/60. Power was increased to 84bhp. The interior trim in the Wolseley was now in soft expanded vinyl rather than the leather used in the earlier cars.
The Austin 1800 replaced the Wolseley in BMC's Australian model line up in October 1965. The Mark II 24/80 was the last Wolseley to be sold new in Australia.
[edit] Clubs
An enthusiastic and active worldwide owners club called the Cambridge-Oxford Owners Club caters for these cars and their 'Westminster' derived six 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
