Wolseley Hornet six

Wolseley Hornet
SOHC 6-cylinder 4-door 6-light saloon registered October 1932
Overview
Manufacturer	Wolseley Motors Limited
Production	1930–1936 31686 made
Assembly	Ward End Works, Birmingham, United Kingdom
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door 4-light saloon 4-door 6-light saloon 2-door Occasional Four coupé open 2-seater chassis for customer's choice of coachwork Special chassis for customer's choice of coachwork
Powertrain
Engine	single-overhead-camshaft inline six-cylinder 1,271 cc (78 cu in) and Special 1,378 cc (84 cu in) used in standard cars only 1,604 cc (98 cu in)Special only
Transmission	A single-plate dry-type clutch and three-speed gearbox form a single unit with the engine; there is a ball pattern central change-speed lever; the propeller shaft is open with fabric disc joints; the spiral bevel driven back axle is three-quarter floating and has a two-pinion differential gear announced September 1931, a four-speed gearbox with a quiet third gear. announced August 1934, single-plate clutch, 3-speed preselector gearbox (finger control by steering wheel) an additional lever controls forward neutral and reverse, freewheel and Startix by September 1935, single-plate dry clutch with cushion drive and torsional spring dampers, four-speed centrally controlled gearbox, syncromesh on third and top.
Dimensions
Wheelbase	90.5 in (2,299 mm) 95 in (2,413 mm) track 42 in (1,067 mm) 45 in (1,143 mm) 48 in (1,219 mm)
Length	133 in (3,378 mm) 141 in (3,581 mm)
Width	51 in (1,295 mm) 55 in (1,397 mm)
Height	63 in (1,600 mm) unknown
Kerb weight	977.95 kg (2,156 lb) 19¼cwt 990.65 kg (2,184 lb) 19½cwt
Chronology
Successor	Wolseley 12/48

single-overhead-camshaft
inline six-cylinder

track

The Wolseley Hornet is a six-cylinder twelve fiscal horsepower lightweight automobile which was offered as a saloon car, coupé and open two-seater as well as the usual rolling chassis for bespoke coachwork. Produced by Wolseley Motors Limited from 1930 to 1936, the Hornet was unveiled to the public at the end of April 1930. Wolseley had been bought from the receivers by William Morris in 1927.

This car's tiny six-cylinder engine, Motor Sport magazine described it as a miniature six, reflected the brief vogue for less vibratory 6, 8, 12 and 16 cylinder engines soon superseded by greatly improved flexible engine mountings. Their overhead camshaft engines were so good that cars built on their Hornet Special chassis developed an outstanding reputation on the road and in club competition.

The initial offering was something of a quart in a pint pot, tiny but powerful for its size. Furthermore, four passengers might be fitted into the very lightly constructed car. However the market soon required more room and more comfort and the car's nature changed. This was countered by making and selling the Special with a more highly tuned engine. The last Hornet was replaced, following acquisition of Wolseley by Morris Motors, with Morris's badge-engineered Wolseley 12/48, announced 24 April 1936.

Announced at the end of April 1930 — though ownership was quite separate from Morris Motors — the first Wolseley Hornet was in effect a 2-door 4-seater Morris Minor saloon fitted with an extended engine bay to make room for a small six-cylinder engine in place of the four-cylinder unit that was normal for this size of car.

The new Hornet was supplied as an enclosed four-seater two-door saloon with coachbuilt body or, for £10 less, fabric body; as an open two-seater or as a bare "rolling" chassis for the owner's choice of coachwork.

In the autumn of 1930 the lack of body room and difficult access to the interior was recognised by Wolseley and new four-seater two-door coachwork was provided which was considerably longer and wider with wider doors.

Sunshine roofs were now made available. Separate front bucket-type seats were adjustable and Wolseley claimed the back seat gave plenty of leg and headroom for two adults. The four windows slid open and had locking devices. Safety glass was fitted throughout.