Highlights
- Incredibly rare model produced for only two years
- Great example of a very early British Police vehicle
- Well presented in good honest form
The Appeal
At one point, the biggest motor manufacturer in Britain. Wolseley certainly garnered themselves a substantial reputation throughout the 1920s and 30s and were responsible for some impressive and highly significant models throughout their time.
Perhaps one of the lesser known models to roll off of the Wolseley forecourt was the Wasp, an exceedingly rare car produced for just two years between 1935 and 1936 it stood as a solid improvement and replacement for the Riley Nine with an uprated engine and easy clean wheels. The Wasp was an entirely well built model and as such, many found a life being used in a policing capacity.
Perhaps one of the lesser known models to roll off of the Wolseley forecourt was the Wasp, an exceedingly rare car produced for just two years between 1935 and 1936 it stood as a solid improvement and replacement for the Riley Nine with an uprated engine and easy clean wheels. The Wasp was an entirely well built model and as such, many found a life being used in a policing capacity.
This early 1935 Wasp is a model that found itself in just such a life and stands today as a wonderful homage to the police cars of days gone by. Presenting in charming honest form still boasting its simple, rather rudimentary police equipment, it lends itself rather well to a life on hire for period film work or perhaps as a historical show piece.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered 07/06/1935
- As we understand the car was utilised by the West Riding Police force for much of its life
- After use we believe it was at least partially decommissioned from police use and sold into private ownership before being purchased by a collector who re fitted the police equipment and took it to shows
- The current vendor purchased the car with the intent to use for film work but a change of plans means they are now looking to move the wasp on to a new loving home
- Accompanied by a selection of invoices and general servicing history
- An original Wolseley Wasp instruction manual is also present
- Comes with a comprehensive set of previous MOT certificates
- Due to its age and historic status the Wasp is both tax and MOT exempt
- V5 registration document with the vehicle
- Dry stored throughout current ownership
The Interior
- High quality, honestly presented interior space
- Good quality brown leather seating front and rear, with minimal signs of wear to be seen, just a gentle patina in places
- Well upholstered brown door panels on all four rear hinged doors, boasting quality leather and subtle chrome embellishments
- Pull cord “police stop” sign present and situated at the rear window
- Brass fire extinguisher situated in the cabin
- Wooden dash panel in great presentable form
- Neat selection of gauges and dash mounted switchgear, presented well with a general honest patina
- Well preserved three spoke steering wheel
- Plush brown carpeting throughout
- Impressively sized cabin with large rear section for passengers, or arrested criminals
- Interior trim looks to be of a great standard throughout
The Exterior
- Charming little car from an aesthetic perspective, standing today in well preserved honest order
- External police features still present including roof mounted police signage and bell
- Quality black, police issue colour scheme
- Complemented with subtle red coach lines
- Paintwork is of a generally good standard, exhibiting with a gentle patina commensurate with age throughout
- The finish to the front and rear wings and adjoining running boards does having some more notable flawing
- Winkworth chrome bell mounted on the front bumper
- Exterior chrome trim is of a presentable standard, standing in a similar gently worn form to the rest of the bodywork
- Four black “easy clean” steel wheels with chrome centre caps reside at ground level, a characteristic of the Wasp
The Mechanics
- 1140cc four cylinder engine
- Stands today in great overall mechanical order
- Engine and surrounding engine bay are of a good clean standard
- The vendor reports that the car fires into life quickly and comfortably
- A good driving experience is said to be provided by the Wasp, with solid power delivery and smooth, crisp gear changes
- Underside appears clean and solid throughout
Summary
The Wolseley Wasp is an undeniably charming and exceedingly rare little car and, in this honest, highly original form, is a wonderful piece of Wolseley and British police history.
The Wasp holds great potential for its next owner, lending itself perfectly to life as a period film and TV car or as a privately used show piece. It's in great overall order and is sure to bring much enjoyment to its next loving custodian.
The Wasp holds great potential for its next owner, lending itself perfectly to life as a period film and TV car or as a privately used show piece. It's in great overall order and is sure to bring much enjoyment to its next loving custodian.
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UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
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