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| Lot number | 129 |
|---|---|
| Hammer value | £3,000 |
| Description | Wolseley 18/85 |
| Registration | 1971 |
| Year | 1971 |
| Colour | Dark Green |
| Engine size | 1,798 cc |
| Chassis No. | WHS5D14876A |
| Engine No. | 18H305BH9168 |
BMC’s Amalgamated Drawing Office (ADO) was flat out in the early ‘60s. The inspirational Issigonis designed Mini had spawned the brilliant 1100 range and by 1964, the new range-topping 1800 had hit the showrooms, all developed by the talented engineers from within the department.
Codenamed ADO17, it was initially launched in Austin and Morris versions, soon to be followed by the upmarket Wolseley badged 18/85. Their large glass area, minimalist interior design and enormous interior space came thanks to the brilliant Issigonis packaging which broke new ground. Winning the prestigious European Car of the Year award in 1965, they bristled with new ideas, the hydrolastic suspension and incredibly ridged body shells making most of their British counterparts look like ancient history.
Sadly their unconventional nature restricted sales in the ultra-conservative mid-market, although a significant face-lift with the Mk II in 1968 made the interiors more acceptable to the buying public. The Wolseley version in particular had sumptuous deep leather seats, each with their own armrest and lashings of wood trim.
The four-cylinder Wolseley 18/85 was quietly dropped from the range following the arrival of the 2.2-litre six-cylinder models which coincided with the Mk III of 1972, a year after this example had been delivered by Greaves Garages of Hutton Rudby in Yorkshire.
Painted in ‘Wild Moss’ it is a rare survivor of the model, just 129 of all 18/85 variants being listed on the DVLA’s endlessly fascinating ‘How many left?’ website.
Purchased by the vendor in April 2012, he treated it to two new rear door skins a year later at a cost of £650. Some minor welding repairs and a new waterpump and regulator box kept things ship-shape in 2014, along with regular attention to the brakes.
With an MOT through to June 2016 and a recent comprehensive engine service, this rare survivor is ready to transport its new owners in typical Wolseley comfort and luxury.
