1932 Wolseley Hornet 6cyl OHC Sports Tourer

Description

Founded by Vickers Ltd and Herbert Austin in 1901, Wolseley Motors Ltd expanded rapidly between the wars to become the largest motoring manufacturer in Britain but sales began falling rapidly in the 1920s and the Company was ultimately placed in receivership in February 1927. William Morris (later Viscount Nuffield) proved to be Wolseley’s saviour, purchasing the ailing concern primarily for its sophisticated single overhead camshaft six-cylinder engine, introduced in 1930 for the Hornet.  Based on a revised Morris Minor chassis suitably modified to accommodate the longer six, the earliest Hornets were available with open two-seater or two-door saloon coachwork. The Hornet proved relatively popular in Australia and a number were bodied by local coachbuilders, the vast majority shipped here in chassis form. The Hornet enjoyed a well-earned reputation for reliability and proved popular in various forms of motor sport throughout the 1930s, owners forming the backbone of the Light Car Clubs of NSW and Victoria in the 1950s.