Descrizione
Ah yes, the Wolseley 4/ 44. This was the make and model I selected a few decades ago to be my everyday classic user - and I have loved them ever since. Beautifully designed on the drawing board by the world famous Gerald Palmer, the 4/ 44 was created as part of The Nuffield Group. By the time the car was launched in 1953. Wolseley had become a member of the British Motor Corporation (BMC). Its sleek looks and luxurious features made it ultra-modern back in the day. And now, today, it is looked upon as the Wolseley "shape" so many of us associate with black and white thrillers in which the plain clothes detective is chauffeured around by a Police driver in constant pursuit of villains.
The 4/ 44, the sister car of the MG Magnette, came with a 1250cc engine as opposed to the 1500. Yet, apart from the front end, they shared the same body shell. The Wolseley's engine was known as the XPAW, which was a version of the tried and tested XPAG unit as featured in the MG T-type sports cars. The Wolseley operated with one carb as opposed to two and left the Magnette to its sporting pretentions. This traditional Wolseley, selling at just under £1000 back in the day, was indeed a luxury family saloon and aimed at the well to do sort of chap who would be a bank manager, solicitor or doctor. This was the era of badge engineering and status (although somewhat snobbish for obvious reasons) still mattered. Members of The Rotary Club drove new Wolseleys or Rover P4s. Villains and spivs drove Jaguars.
So, with its leather and wood interior, the Wolseley 4/ 44 hit the showrooms. It was a success. The export drive was still on full steam ahead following the war and a large percentage of 4/ 44s left these shores. Around 29, 000 were built during a three-year period. Today it is believed that less than 200 remain!
This delightful old girl stayed with her original owner from new until 2016! I would imagine that, during that incredibly lengthy spell, she must have spent a good deal of time off the road. For one, she would not have survived had she been an everyday car and, secondly, although her registration number is the original (I have the buff log book), it is non-transferable. That usually comes about because the vehicle was off the road during the 70s when the entire DVLA re-organisation took place. Anyway, it's the car's correct plate and it looks great!
Her panels are amazingly solid and straight and that goes for the front and rear wings, doors, arches, sills, boot and bonnet. Her underside looks surprisingly straight and genuine too. I think there has been some metal repair work to the door checks on the nearside but it all looks rock solid and will probably last for ever. I would say that, overall, she is a really nice Condition Two 50s classic. The interior is decent although the wooden dash - and it is proper wood and so very easy to prep and varnish - has lost some of its finish. Headlining is decent too. She drives well and the column change responds smoothly. Tyres are new. The rear bumper is not great. These 4/ 44s are rarely offered now and don't think I'm going to give it away. In terms of value, I would say that the clue is in the model's numbering. Yes, it's a 4/ 44 and no I don't mean £440 ha ha!!
Delightfully period, eye catching and luxuriously appointed. What's not to like at the price of so many basic Morris Minors which appear so regularly in the current classic car marketplace?
As BMC themselves used to say back in the day: "Buy Wisely, Buy Wolseley!"
As with all my classic cars, I regard them as the equivalent of motoring antiques. Even the very best available cannot be perfect. Since the motor car was invented, vehicles have ceased to be perfect once they leave the dealer's showroom. I do not like concourse classics, and have little time for those who take them to shows on trailers, clean the tyre treads with a toothbrush and then sit po-faced at the front of their vehicle all day. Classic cars are to be loved, enjoyed, driven, improved, repaired, tinkered with and hopefully pampered. Even the best will show some signs of wear and tear commensurate with their age. Do not expect a 50-year-old car to be in the same condition as your wife's six-month old Range Rover. Although I suppose some could actually be in a superior condition come to think of it (sorry, joke!). I love my Georgian dining table, despite all its centuries of repair work. If had wanted a new table then maybe I should have gone to Oak Furniture Land!
I accept all major debit/ credit cards and a ten per cent deposit is required at the point of sale with the balance due within three days. I can also assist with delivery and so please ask for a quote. Thanks, Martin the details below).
