Wolseley 1962 |
Hornet (4 cyl. 848 cm³, 34 KM) |
|
ALTHOUGH a rarer avis nowadays, the B.M.C. B-Series engine in its original 1489 c.c. form still survives in this Wolseley and its Riley cousin, the 1.5. Its deficit of a little over 100 c.c. is little felt, however, because the 1500 was calculately designed, years and years ago, to combine light weight and minimal bulk. The resultant power/weight ratio - which is what matters, in terms of acceleration and hillclimbing - remains good. It's the mixture-as-before for 1963, following the re-designing of several detail points just before the '61 Show. Slightly simplified equipment distinguishes the Fleet Model from the regular 1500, the former being particularly good value at just short of £730 tax included. Engine capacity: 1.489 c.c. Brake horse-power: 50 at 4,200 r.p.m Wheelbase: 7 ft. 2 in. Saloon: £757.5.3 incl. PT. Fleet Model: £729.15.4 incl. PT. LIKE the Austin A60, Morris Oxford, M.G. Magnette and Riley 4/72, to which it corresponds in essentials, the 16/60 turns the 1962-'63 leaf without change. A ruggedly built family saloon with pleasing appoint ments and a good standard of finish, it rides comfortably on a conventional suspension system (coils and wishbones in front, semi-elliptics at the back), has a low noise level, and will stand a lot of hard usage. As an alternative to a manually operated four-speed gearbox with synchromesh on the upper three ratios, fully automatic Borg-Warner transmission is available as an extra. With its single S.U. carburettor, the willing and durable B-Series B.M.C. engine is in one of its milder states of tune. New on the 16/60 at last year's Show were a slightly lengthened chassis, a mite of extra engine capacity, a raised back axle ratio, and sundry small styling points. Glass areas of the Farina-styled body are liberal. Engine capacity: 1,622 c.c. Brake horse-power: 60 at 4.500 r.p.m. Wheelbase: 8 it. 4 3/16 in. Price: £936.03 incl. PT. IN price and degree of luxury, this one falls between
the Austin A110 and the Vanden Plas - the two other B.M.C. sixes
with which it shares an engine and a body/chassis unit. A car for
people who demand a high performance but won't buy it at the
expense of creature comfort, the 6/110 devours the miles at
100-plus m.p.h. when your foot goes down but insulates its
occupants from all form of objectionable hubbub. It reaches 8o
m.p.h. from zero in 27 secs., goes from 50 to 70 m.p.h. in normal
top gear in less than 12 secs., and cruises happily on the rapid
side of eighty-five. Standard 6/110's have an all-synchromesh
3-speed gearbox with self-changing overdrive that operates on top
and second ratios, but finally automatic transmission is an
optional extra. Overdrive-top is a high gear intended mainly for
fast cruising, and gives the car a lower maximum speed than normal
top. Seat-to-roof measurements are 36 in. front, 34 in. rear,
total width across the driving compartment is a generous '' 55
in., rear-seat passengers have knee room varying from 10 1/2 to 16
in., ;' acCording to the position of the individually adjustable
front seats. Engine capacity: 2.912 c.c. Brake horse-power: 120 at
4,750 r.p.m. Wheelbase: 9 ft. 2 in. Price: £1,266.0.0 incl.
PT. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"A MINI with a different name plate" is not a fair description of the Hornet, for although its engineering basis is the same as the Austin and Morris babies', it is a longer car by as much as 8 ½ in., which largely transforms the appearance. The extra length is used for luggage rather than the passengers, the capacity of this Wolseley's boot being 8 cu. ft. compared with the Mini's 5 ½ cu. ft. Lid of the Hornet's boot is hinged at the top, so it can't be used as a platform for exposable cargo, Mini-fashion, when open. Interior trim even surpasses the Super versions of the Austin and Morris Mini. Seat upholstery combines leather with suede-simulating material, while the instruments correspond to the Cooper Mini's, comprising speedometer, water thermometer, and fuel contents and oil pressure gauges. Windscreen washers and a heater are standard. Except in frontal styling, the Hornet is almost identical to the Riley Elf. Engine capacity; 848 c.c. Broke horse-power: 37 at 5.500 r.p.m. Wheelbase: 6 ft. 8 in. Price: £633.10.2 incl. PT.
