filmed on April 25, 2017...this is a short film looking around my 1954 Wolseley 4/44. The film also shows the car running in the beautiful countryside around the Southern Highlands, NSW.
My old man bought a '54 4/44 in 1966. Was a pretty good. Black with the red interior. Still had the semaphore indicators. Which as a pre-teen I thought were brilliant. The whole time he had it. It never missed a beat. Lived in Black Rock at the time and the family would drive down to lakes entrance or Inverloch every other month for a weekend fishing. Back in the days when the roads were filled with English motor cars and the occasional yank tank. Which he changed to in 70. A 67 Buick Electra.
My father bought a 4/44 in 1954 after owning a 6/90, as it did more mpg. Very solid with walnut grain dash, and I remember learning the layout of the knobs: W,F,L,S,P,C. Before flashing indicators arrived, there were trafficators in the door pillars, and one was accidentally snapped off when stationary. My dad used to say that the horn ring set in the steering wheel was too easily touched, and other motorists would honk back!
I learnt to drive on one of these in the UK; it was my fathers car and he bought it new in 1954 and they really were a quality motor car. The instruments surround panel was actually all Walnut grain timber and not leather or vinyl as it appears in this video. Brings back a lot of memories to see this lovely little car.4 speed gearbox of course. My dad traded his for an MG Magnette whch had identical bodywork but a different grill and much quicker car and had gear-stick on the floor
The reason your predecessor placed the fuel pump in the boot is that on a hot day the fuel vaporises in the fuel pump where it's located. It was a common. Lovely car BTW. I look back fondly of my days driving one of these.
A lovely video of what I have always considered to be a jewel of a car. Although over one year old now, this video is timeless so I will share it to the Wolseley Car Club (VIC) Australia Face Book Page that I co-administer.
In 1958 my parents and I went on a vacation from Canada to Old Orchard Beach near Portland Maine. Our Wolseley had the "four on the tree" shifter and at the end of our stay Dad went out to tip the parking valet. " That is a nice little car Mr. Clark. Too bad it doesn't have a reverse." After he stopped laughing Dad explained the workings of a four speed transmission. Apparently every time they had to back it up a couple of bell boys had to help push it. Contemporary American cars usually had a "three on the tree" if not an automatic..
The 4/44 used the XPAW engine which was a single carb version of the MG XPAG engine used in the MG TF and YB, this was from the pre WW2 Morris design lineage. The MG ZA and ZB used the new 1500 BMC B series which was an Austin design that came from a major reworking of 1200cc engine of the early Austin A40 these days usually called the pre-B series. B series production was only getting underway when the 4/44 was released. The Morris line of engines were built on what was originally the French Hotchkiss factory production plant bought by Morris and moved as a complete unit to the UK in the Great War to stop it falling into German hands as a result most of threads on the engine were an non-standard metric pitch. Pre WW2 Austin power units were generally considered more dependable than the Morris engines, the post war Austin units have their roots in the military 'High Speed Truck Project " and were closely inspired by Chevrolet/Bedford engine
Interesting information I didn't know Andrew, presumably the Austin Devon which was 1200cc from ' 48 to ' 52 was a pre-series ' B ' engine and narrower bore with a long stroke ?.
Well the indicators came out of the door pillows originally ! Worked on my father’s 4/44 it was a nice maroon colour! Can’t remember correctly but the indicator worked of the centre of the steering wheel if I’m not mistaken
Some friends had one of these brand new in the usual black !.Your steering column centre is upside down , the trafficator switch was originally at the top and the ' W ' is inverted !.The interior is especailly evocative.Lovely car.
thanks for your message. the car was parked on an angle hence the W looking like it was upside down. The trafficator switch always turned with the wheel on this car. I think the stator tube had rusted stuck to the steering column, so it all turned together.!
Like someone else, here, my dad bought a new one in March 1954. I still have the invoice and the handbook which he never opened. I was five at the time and had hoped he would buy a 6/80 which was (and still is) my Wolseley favorite. The car was under powered really, using an older engine unit but, as I expect you know, the 15/50 came soon after with the 1489cc unit. Some folk installed the MGB unit to good effect although the axle design isn't that strong. The horn position problem is common amongst all these cars. It usually happens when the rivets have let go on the stator ring. As the wheel is turned the wiring inside the tube remains stationary as should the indicator switch in the centre of the wheel. You can always tell a busted unit when the horn ring doesn't line up with the wheel. Its a bit fiddly to fix and usually requires a new column loom because if it is repaired inside the tube it will rub the stator tube and cause a fire. I do go on. Anyway, this is a great video and I can see there are more than a few Wolseley enthusiasts down under. All the best, Bob F., UK.
The Wolseley 4/44 used the same engine as the MG Y type and TB, TC, TD and TF, they were lighter and especially with the higher tuned versions like the TD Mk II, different camshaft bigger valves and two 1 1/2 inch SU carbs. they could be quite lively.
From memory.BMC had a lot of old stock following the amalgamation of companies, so they used up the TD/TF engines in the 4/44 and the identical MG Magnette 1500 used in the newer BMC Austin, Morris etc series.
The 4/44 used the XPAW engine which was a single carb version of the MG XPAG engine used in the MG TF and YB, this was from the Morris design lineage. The MG ZA and ZB used the new 1500 BMC B series which was an Austin design that came from a major reworking of 1200cc engine of the early Austin A40 these days usually called the pre-B series. B series production was only getting underway when the 4/44 was released.
@@andrewwmacfadyen6958 Thanks for that, one of my Boss' used to pick me up for work in his 4/44 back in 60/61. BMC had a lot of old stuff to use up, we did not see 6 pot Healeys down under until 56 however I have read somewhere that they came out earlier in the UK. i think there were 2 versions of the 4 pot Healey, but a 4 speed box was in the second version, I read in an MG 1500 manual a direction NOT to grind the crankshaft, they must have stretched the engine to the limit.
Very nice car and interior. The rear "after market" amber indicator lights don't look so good. People started adding these in the 60s and rarely made a good job of it. (Same sort of thing happened in the 70s with reversing lights, and 80s with rear fog lights. Even RR made this mistake.) Better to have the red brake lights to flash for better authenticity and appearance - although I suppose these might no longer be legal in some States. Having said that, I suppose some purists would insist on the original semaphore trafficators (only) working.
Had the 1951 'Six-Eighty' Ex-Police car back in '67 (Looked very similar) .... It cost me £5- with a load of tools in the boot. Still got the tools - Bargain!! ..... Wish I still had the car :-)
This is not a triumph engine mate it’s an xpaw motor that is original.They were before the b series motors and were used by mg.They are a sweet motor and are known to be tough and reliable.
My old man bought a '54 4/44 in 1966. Was a pretty good. Black with the red interior. Still had the semaphore indicators. Which as a pre-teen I thought were brilliant. The whole time he had it. It never missed a beat. Lived in Black Rock at the time and the family would drive down to lakes entrance or Inverloch every other month for a weekend fishing. Back in the days when the roads were filled with English motor cars and the occasional yank tank. Which he changed to in 70. A 67 Buick Electra.
My father bought a 4/44 in 1954 after owning a 6/90, as it did more mpg. Very solid with walnut grain dash, and I remember learning the layout of the knobs: W,F,L,S,P,C. Before flashing indicators arrived, there were trafficators in the door pillars, and one was accidentally snapped off when stationary. My dad used to say that the horn ring set in the steering wheel was too easily touched, and other motorists would honk back!
I had a Wolseley and my friend had this one... I used to LOVE the shape of the bonnet!!
I learnt to drive on one of these in the UK; it was my fathers car and he bought it new in 1954 and they really were a quality motor car. The instruments surround panel was actually all Walnut grain timber and not leather or vinyl as it appears in this video. Brings back a lot of memories to see this lovely little car.4 speed gearbox of course. My dad traded his for an MG Magnette whch had identical bodywork but a different grill and much quicker car and had gear-stick on the floor
The reason your predecessor placed the fuel pump in the boot is that on a hot day the fuel vaporises in the fuel pump where it's located. It was a common. Lovely car BTW. I look back fondly of my days driving one of these.
A lovely video of what I have always considered to be a jewel of a car. Although over one year old now, this video is timeless so I will share it to the Wolseley Car Club (VIC) Australia Face Book Page that I co-administer.
In 1958 my parents and I went on a vacation from Canada to Old Orchard Beach near Portland Maine. Our Wolseley had the "four on the tree" shifter and at the end of our stay Dad went out to tip the parking valet. " That is a nice little car Mr. Clark. Too bad it doesn't have a reverse." After he stopped laughing Dad explained the workings of a four speed transmission. Apparently every time they had to back it up a couple of bell boys had to help push it. Contemporary American cars usually had a "three on the tree" if not an automatic..
Beautiful car had a chance to work on one absolutely loved it
lovely car I went on my honey moon in one circa 1968 Illawarra to Surfers car handled wonderfully as solid as a rock very satisfying car to drive.
The 4/44 is the first car I recall in our family. My Dad had a black one with red leather seats - this would be in the very early 60s, in England.
Thanks for sharing this meticulous restoration. I'd be tempted to reinstate the original indicator stalks if they are still legal.
Lovely view down the bonnet.
I had one of these - marvellous machine.
Lindo carrinho, merece uma restauração de primeira.Parabéns ao proprietário.Jason/Goiânia Goiás Central Brazil...
Designed by Gerald Palmer. He gave us the Jowett Javalin. Great guy
The 4/44 used the XPAW engine which was a single carb version of the MG XPAG engine used in the MG TF and YB, this was from the pre WW2 Morris design lineage. The MG ZA and ZB used the new 1500 BMC B series which was an Austin design that came from a major reworking of 1200cc engine of the early Austin A40 these days usually called the pre-B series. B series production was only getting underway when the 4/44 was released.
The Morris line of engines were built on what was originally the French Hotchkiss factory production plant bought by Morris and moved as a complete unit to the UK in the Great War to stop it falling into German hands as a result most of threads on the engine were an non-standard metric pitch.
Pre WW2 Austin power units were generally considered more dependable than the Morris engines, the post war Austin units have their roots in the military 'High Speed Truck Project " and were closely inspired by Chevrolet/Bedford engine
Interesting information I didn't know Andrew, presumably the Austin Devon which was 1200cc from ' 48 to ' 52 was a pre-series ' B ' engine and narrower bore with a long stroke ?.
Well the indicators came out of the door pillows originally ! Worked on my father’s 4/44 it was a nice maroon colour! Can’t remember correctly but the indicator worked of the centre of the steering wheel if I’m not mistaken
I had one in 1958/9, very comfortable but the progress I would describe as sedate. I envied my friend who had a Magnette with the 1500cc engine.
Some friends had one of these brand new in the usual black !.Your steering column centre is upside down , the trafficator switch was originally at the top and the ' W ' is inverted !.The interior is especailly evocative.Lovely car.
thanks for your message. the car was parked on an angle hence the W looking like it was upside down. The trafficator switch always turned with the wheel on this car. I think the stator tube had rusted stuck to the steering column, so it all turned together.!
Like someone else, here, my dad bought a new one in March 1954. I still have the invoice and the handbook which he never opened. I was five at the time and had hoped he would buy a 6/80 which was (and still is) my Wolseley favorite. The car was under powered really, using an older engine unit but, as I expect you know, the 15/50 came soon after with the 1489cc unit. Some folk installed the MGB unit to good effect although the axle design isn't that strong. The horn position problem is common amongst all these cars. It usually happens when the rivets have let go on the stator ring. As the wheel is turned the wiring inside the tube remains stationary as should the indicator switch in the centre of the wheel. You can always tell a busted unit when the horn ring doesn't line up with the wheel. Its a bit fiddly to fix and usually requires a new column loom because if it is repaired inside the tube it will rub the stator tube and cause a fire.
I do go on. Anyway, this is a great video and I can see there are more than a few Wolseley enthusiasts down under. All the best, Bob F., UK.
The Wolseley 4/44 used the same engine as the MG Y type and TB, TC, TD and TF, they were lighter and especially with the higher tuned versions like the TD Mk II, different camshaft bigger valves and two 1 1/2 inch SU carbs. they could be quite lively.
From memory.BMC had a lot of old stock following the amalgamation of companies, so they used up the TD/TF engines in the 4/44 and the identical MG Magnette 1500 used in the newer BMC Austin, Morris etc series.
The 4/44 used the XPAW engine which was a single carb version of the MG XPAG engine used in the MG TF and YB, this was from the Morris design lineage. The MG ZA and ZB used the new 1500 BMC B series which was an Austin design that came from a major reworking of 1200cc engine of the early Austin A40 these days usually called the pre-B series. B series production was only getting underway when the 4/44 was released.
@@andrewwmacfadyen6958 Thanks for that, one of my Boss' used to pick me up for work in his 4/44 back in 60/61. BMC had a lot of old stuff to use up, we did not see 6 pot Healeys down under until 56 however I have read somewhere that they came out earlier in the UK. i think there were 2 versions of the 4 pot Healey, but a 4 speed box was in the second version, I read in an MG 1500 manual a direction NOT to grind the crankshaft, they must have stretched the engine to the limit.
I had one long ago wonderful motor car.
Nice 👍
Only a 3 car garage? Purgatory!
Very nice car and interior. The rear "after market" amber indicator lights don't look so good. People started adding these in the 60s and rarely made a good job of it. (Same sort of thing happened in the 70s with reversing lights, and 80s with rear fog lights. Even RR made this mistake.) Better to have the red brake lights to flash for better authenticity and appearance - although I suppose these might no longer be legal in some States. Having said that, I suppose some purists would insist on the original semaphore trafficators (only) working.
Very tidy example. Real character.
Nice car, but wasn't this the start of BMC badge engineering? I seem to remember an almost identical car being called a Riley.
The car was styled by Gerald Palmer. The MG Magnette used the same body not the Riley which was bigger.
I had one those but in grey, and it was well under powered!
Had the 1951 'Six-Eighty' Ex-Police car back in '67 (Looked very similar) .... It cost me £5- with a load of tools in the boot. Still got the tools - Bargain!! ..... Wish I still had the car :-)
Just reviewed the video which shows the horn re positioned, and this might be because of my earlier note.
What bird sounds can we hear as you walk behind the car and look at the boot? Do you know the name of the bird?
I do - she called Marcia!
Sorry it had to be sold, it seemed to be in good hands.
Is it still for sale Sir ?
Does this have big engine
My indecator arm light wouldnt work so to pass the mot i painted it black and no one was any the wiser! 😁
En fin lille bil med en flot historie .....
Never seen a triumph engine in one of these before. Prefer the B 1500
This is not a triumph engine mate it’s an xpaw motor that is original.They were before the b series motors and were used by mg.They are a sweet motor and are known to be tough and reliable.
@@crp110 super commentaire bravo et merci !
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