Wolseley Hornet (1930)
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| Wolsley Hornet | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Wolseley Motor Company |
| Production | 1930–1936 31686 made[1] |
| Assembly | Ward End Works, Birmingham, UK. |
| Body style(s) | 2-door saloon 4-door saloon coupé |
| Engine(s) | 1271, 1378 or 1604cc overhead cam six cylinder |
| Transmission(s) | 3 or 4-speed manual |
| Wheelbase | 90 inches (2300 mm)[2] |
| Length | 137 inches (3500 mm)[2] |
| Width | 54 inches (1372 mm)[2] |
The Wolseley Hornet was a lightweight saloon car produced by the Wolseley Motor Company from 1930 to 1936.
It had a small six cylinder (1271cc) engine with a single overhead cam, and hydraulic brakes. The engine was modified in 1932 to make it shorter and it was moved forwards on the chassis.[1] For 1935 the engine grew to 1378 cc.[1] The car could initially be ordered from Wolseley as an enclosed saloon with steel or fabric body or open two seater. From 1931 it was available without the saloon body, and was used as the basis for a number of sporting specials. In 1932 the factory added two and four seat coupés to the range. For its final year of production the range was rationalised to a standard saloon and coupé.
A three speed gearbox was fitted to the earliest cars but this was upgraded to a four speed in 1932 and fitted with synchromesh from 1933. A freewheel mechanism could be ordered in 1934.
The engine was also used in the MG F-Type and MG L-Type Magnas, and MG K-Type and MG N-Type Magnettes.
Two sporting versions were made called Hornet Specials. The 1932-34 version of which 2307 were made had twin carburettors and higher compression and was supplied as a chassis to various specialist coachbuilders including Swallow. For 1935 it had a 1604 cc engine but only 148 were made.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d Baldwin, N. (1994). A-Z of Cars of the 1920s. Devon, UK: Bay View Books. ISBN 1-870979-53-2.
- ^ a b c Culshaw; Horrobin (1974). Complete Catalogue of British Cars. London: Macmillan. ISBN 0-333-16689-2.
