Wolseley 15/50 Saloon

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Wolseley’s 15/50 of 1956 was essentially the same model as the 4/44 of 1953 but with a bit more poke under the bonnet.

Badge engineering being a fact of life in the Nuffield Group of the ‘50s, much of the design was shared with the MG Magnette which was introduced the same year. The bodywork for both sporting saloons was a monocoque, with independent coil spring suspension at the front and a live axle at the rear. Allied to precise rack-and-pinion steering and effective Lockheed drum brakes, both cars were sweet to drive, much like over-sized Morris Minors.

Being the more luxury oriented of the two cars, the Wolseley was equipped with a wooden dashboard, leather trim and a heater as standard. The individual front seats were placed closely together to allow the car to be used as a (rather marginal) six-seater but it was usually sold as a four-seater. The radiator grille also sported an illuminated badge, all no doubt reassuring the buyer that the not inconsiderable bonnet price of £1,011 was justified.

Whereas the 4/44 had been equipped with a 46bhp version of the old 1250cc MG engine, the 15/50 had the BMC B-series motor equipped with a single SU carburettor. With 55bhp on tap and a four-speed floor-shift box, it was good for a top speed of 78mph but was eminently tuneable as many owners have been delighted to discover. Production ended in 1958 with the arrival of the new Farina 15/60 after some 12,000 had been sold.

As the accompanying Heritage Certificate confirms, this 15/50 was built in September 1956 and was destined for the export market, though precisely where it went is unknown. By July 1958 it was back in the UK where it was registered as VLN 65, a valuable number that it retains to this day.

Black with a red interior (leather in the back but vinyl up front), it has been on display at the Stondon Motor Museum since 1992. Maintained in running order, it has not been used on the roads for some time so the usual checks are recommended before it sallies forth once more. Easily tweaked and blessed with good handling, these handsome saloons offer an enjoyable ownership prospect for a very modest price.