Descrizione
Here we have a truly delightful Wolseley 15/ 50, the model which replaced the ageing 4/ 44 in 1956. This is a late example being a January 1959 model.
The 15/ 50 was everything Wolseley was about. Refined, sleek, great looks, luxury fittings and so on. But this time around, stepping in as a replacement for the 4/ 44 with its 1250cc engine and column change, came a car with a 1500cc unit and a floor change. So, despite the fact that its sister car the MG Magnette - with all its sporting pretensions - came with twin carbs, the Wolseley had the same under the bonnet less one carb!
The Magnette was the sporty one. You know, the car that attracted the driver with flat cap, tweed jacket, string-backed driving gloves and probably a pipe. The Wolseley 15/ 50 was the refined one. More bank manager than bank robber; more solicitor than spiv!
They only made 12, 000 of these fine cars (compared to 30, 000 4/ 44s) and they are rarely offered for sale in today's classic marketplace. This lovely old girl in a super and original colour of pastel green (It might be called Mandalay?) had just two owners during her first 61 years of existence and the third owner, from whom I acquired her, had owned her for three years. She is incredibly solid with a superb and mega clean underside. It looks like much has been done in recent years. Copper brake pipes look new, everything under the bonnet is sparkling and she is definitely an ultra strong vehicle. She comes with a lovely interior too. Just check out that stunning and original steering wheel! Leather is also original and has a perfect patina to it. Just a small crack at right hand shoulder height has recently opened up. Easily remedied. One or two small areas of bodywork show the occasional slight crease - not rot - but that depends on the light and from what angle you study here. None of this detracts from her overall beauty. Were I to keep her, I would do just one thing and that would be to re-chrome the rear bumper. Great drive, super oil pressure and all round wonderful Wolseley. Be quick.
Here are details of some of the work done by the third owner, and this gives you an idea of how much this delightful Wolseley has been pampered. In his words:
"Mechanically Restored Wolseley 15/ 50 with only two previous owners from new. (now three). The car had sat in warm dry storage since the 1980s (tax discs) until I bought it for light restoration. I have spent a small fortune restoring this car. Noting that new parts are very expensive, and some were hard to come by. The vehicle has been subjected to a COMPLETE mechanical restoration, as described below. The bodywork was already in good condition for its year and supports its original Mandalay Grey colour which only required minor touch ups. The inner wings, door pillars, doors, floor pans, wheel arches and outer sills are in good condition. The car drives well and is fun and responsive and only has 84039 miles on the clock.
"The restoration comprised, with a folder worth of invoices as evidence, as follows: • Engine – BMC 1622cc engine, fully stripped, professional unleaded head conversion, new Big End bearings, with timing chain and oil pump checked, galleries fully cleaned. The exterior was painted in high temperature period green paint. New engine gasket set, oils in engine, gearbox and both axles and a New Battery.
• The cooling system - The Radiator has been professionally refurbished with an expensive new core matrix. The engine has a new thermostat and temperature sender unit. It also has a refurbished heater matrix, new control valve, housing box and coolant pipes.
• Fuel System – New electronic fuel pump, new fuel lines, fuel filter, fuel tank fully removed and cleaned, Carburettor complete rebuilt (jets, float and gaskets) and new air filter. New coil and ignition parts. New very expensive fuel sender unit. (I also have new AutoSpark Electronic distributor, cap, leads and coil, that will come with the car).
• Clutch – Original clutch looked new but did require a new hydraulic clutch and master cylinder (again, both were very expensive). New gearbox mounts, input and output seals and oil.
• Brakes – Whole new brake system, including hydraulic clutch and master cylinder, brake lines, wheel cylinders, brake shoes and expensive handbrake cables.
• Suspension – all new rubber bushes throughout with cleaned, painted and rebuilt suspension. New wheel bearings and rear axle seals and gaskets with new oil.
• Interior – Stripped, cleaned, sound proofing laid throughout, original leather seats repaired and treated, carpet shampooed, new gear gaiter and rear window seal renewed, and roof lining cleaned.
• Electrics – I have rewired most of the car, for the lights, ignition, indicators, etc. New Lucas relay, voltage stabiliser, flasher unit, dynamo bushes, new battery, side lights and cables.
• Tyres – Brand new vintage tyres all around. All wheel rims refurbished and painted. This has taken just under three years to complete, and I had a lot of fun and frustrations working on it. I’ve restored many Land Rovers and other classic cars over 35 years, so this was something different."
This description is based on my opinion of the vehicle, the paperwork that comes with the car and anything I have been told about it. The vehicle is 64-years-old and this cannot be taken as a definitive statement for obvious reasons. As with most classic cars, there may be faults and quirks whilst, almost inevitably, some degree of tinkering and care will always be called for. Such are the joys of owning an antique vehicle and they must be taken within their own context and not compared to modern day cars. They are sold as old, mainly out-dated machines and come without any comeback whatsoever. They are my terms and conditions.
My classic cars are motoring antiques. This car, for example, is 64-years-old. It's not two, five or even ten-years-old as your own everyday car may be. It has been in service for more than half a century and so will have quirks and faults in there somewhere. However, faults on these old girls are not always apparent when buying and selling classics which is what I do. I do not restore them, nor do I pretend that they are concours cars. The majority of them go out as they came in, and I continue to enjoy finding more - a skill which is becoming increasingly difficult as many of you will be aware. They deserve to be taken on as "family pets" and cared for through thick and then. They don't make them any more and demand now out-strips supply. Please bear all this in mind, and enjoy your classic car. I can also assist with delivery and so please ask for a quote.
I have now been established as a one-man band classic car dealer for 25 years and pride myself on my buying prowess and - due to small margins - my prices which I firmly believe are up there among the very best in the UK classic car marketplace.
Thanks, Martin. the details below.
