'From the Maine Classic Car Museum Collection'
1966 Wolseley Hornet Mk II

The Scottsdale Auction|25 January 2024, 10:00 MST|Scottsdale, The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa

1966 Wolseley Hornet Mk II
Chassis no. W-A2S2-829260

1,100cc OHV Transverse Four-Cylinder Engine (see text)
Single S.U. Carburetor
38bhp (est)
4-Speed Manual All-Synchro Transaxle (see text)
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Drum Brakes

*A rare "Bentley meets Mini" luxury variant
*Finished in its original Glen Green and Spruce Green livery
*Updated with a 1,100cc engine and all-synchro gearbox
*Wonderfully preserved and eminently charming

THE WOLSELEY HORNET MK II

Wolseley Motors Ltd was one of Britain's oldest motor manufacturers, founded in 1901 as an offshoot of the industrial powerhouse, Vickers. A highly prestigious marque in the Edwardian era, Wolseley fell into receivership only to be rescued by William Morris. With the merger of Morris and Austin in 1952, Wolseley fell under the BMC umbrella where it remained. With the introduction of the iconic Austin Seven and Morris Mini-Minor – collectively known as "The Mini" – BMC soon offered upmarket versions of the versatile little runabout. Much more just a badge-engineering job the Wolseley Hornet and its Riley Elf sibling sat on a long wheelbase platform to increase passenger space, and featured revised bodywork with a larger boot, extended fins on the quarter panels, and a stately upright radiator grille. Being British, there was of course, a healthy slathering of leather n' wood elevating the humble Mini to baby-Bentley status. Reflecting that status, it was considerably more expensive and compared to more than 5 million Minis, just 28,455 Wolseley Hornets were produced, with most staying in the home market.

THE CAR OFFERED

Per the accompanying BMIHT production records, this Wolseley Hornet is a mid-production Mk II model, completed on December 24, 1965. This right-drive home-market car rolled out of the factory in an appealing color scheme of Glen Green over Spruce Green, with Porcelain Green leather trim, and optioned with a fresh air heater. The sliding windows of this Mk II model allow for the requisite vermouth and gin bottles in the door pockets, as directed by Sir Alec Issigonis in his design brief.

This delightful little Wolseley has obviously been cherished, and it eventually left the UK and joined a prominent and eclectic collection in the American Midwest, where it stayed through 2019. It is accompanied by a Heritage Certificate, selected service records, and previous MOT certificates. It is noted that at some point, the drivetrain was upgraded with a 1,100cc engine and all-synchro four-speed transaxle, and is said by the consignor to be a wonderful driving car. Refinished in its original color scheme and with a marvelously preserved original interior, it represents a rare opportunity to acquire a distinctive Mini variant that blends Swingin' Sixties innovation with Old World British charm.

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