1932 Wolseley Hornet Special Sports

• One of the finest small sporting cars of its era
• Substantially restored, but some further work required
• Engine rebuilt
• Electrics require finishing

Although its image in later years became ever more difficult to distinguish from that of other makes within the British Motor Corporation, in the early 1930s Wolseley occupied the front rank of British sports cars alongside MG, Riley and Frazer Nash. The single model responsible was the Wolseley Hornet.

Introduced in 1930, the Hornet saloon deployed Wolseley's overhead-camshaft, six-cylinder engine in a lengthened Morris Minor chassis equipped with hydraulic brakes. Its power-to-weight ratio was exemplary among contemporary 1.3-litre cars, the smooth and flexible six pulling from walking pace to more than 60mph. The model was revised for 1932 with a shortened, chain-driven, overhead-cam engine (repositioned further forward to improve cabin space) and a four-speed 'silent third' gearbox.

Increased performance was offered by the Hornet Special chassis, which came with 12" brakes and remote-control gearshift. The Special used the shortened engine equipped with twin-carburettors and an oil cooler, in which form it produced 45bhp, good enough for a top speed, depending on coachwork, of around 75mph. The Special chassis rapidly became that of choice for the multitude of independent coachbuilders already using the Hornet as the basis for a sporting two-seater.

The Hornet Special was soon making its mark in competitions, one noteworthy achievement being the victory achieved by a team of three Eustace Watkins Hornets (two E W Daytonas on the Special chassis, one E W International on the standard chassis) in the 1932 relay race at Brooklands at an average speed of 77.57mph.

Our vendor advises us that this Wolseley Hornet Special has been substantially restored although further recommissioning work is required, mostly to the electrical system, while the engine (rebuilt by Owlesbury Crankshaft Services) is still running in. The car drives, and both the transmission and bodywork are described as sound, and is sold strictly as seen. Finished in black with brown leather interior, this is a very pretty car with a wonderful mascot. Accompanying documentation consists of an old-style green logbook, a modern V5C, and the invoice for the aforementioned engine rebuild.