Wolseley 6/99
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| Wolseley 6/99 and 6/110 | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | BMC |
| Production | 1959-1968 37,209 |
| Predecessor | Wolseley 6/90 |
| Class | FR |
| Body style | 4-door saloon |
| Related | Austin Westminster Vanden Plas Princess |
The Wolseley 6/99 was the final large Wolseley car. Styled by Pinin Farina with additions by BMC staff sylists, the basic vehicle was also sold under two of BMC's other marques as the Austin A99 Westminster and Vanden Plas Princess 3-Litre. Production began in 1959 and the cars were updated and renamed for 1961. The Wolseley remained in production as the Wolseley 6/110 through to 1968. These cars were also marketed in Denmark as the Wolseley 300.
There were two other Farina-designed car lines launched by BMC at the same time — the compact Austin A40 Farina and midsized Wolseley 15/60 and derivatives. Although similar-looking, the latter shares no body parts and few other parts with the big Wolseley.
[edit] Wolseley 6/99
| Wolseley 6/99 | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | BMC |
| Production | 1959-1961 13,108 |
| Engine | 2.9 L C-Series I6 |
| Transmission | 3 speed manual automatic option |
The first generation of the large Farinas was introduced with the Austin A99 Westminster, with the Wolseley 6/99 following shortly after in 1959 to replace the 6/90. It used the same 2.9 L (2912 cc) C-Series straight-6, 102 bhp, twin SU carburettor engine from the Austin-Healey 3000.
[edit] Wolseley 6/110
| Wolseley 6/110 | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | BMC |
| Production | 1961-1968 24,101 made |
| Engine | 2.9 L C-Series I6 |
| Transmission | 3 speed manual, 4 speed on Mk II automatic option |
The large Farinas were updated in 1961 as the Austin A110 Westminster, Vanden Plas Princess 3-Litre Mk. II, and Wolseley 16/60. It used the same engine but now tuned to give 120 bhp. Power steering and air conditioning were options from July 1962.
A Mark II model was released in 1964 with smaller (13 in) wheels and a 4-speed transmission. The Wolseley was discontinued in 1968. Only the Austin was replaced directly, with the unsuccessful Austin 3-litre, which remained in production until 1971. Luxurious Wolseley and Vanden Plas versions of the 3 litre both reached prototype stage, but went no further.
[edit] Clubs
An enthusiastic and active worldwide owners club called the Cambridge-Oxford Owners Club caters for these cars and their 'Cambridge' derived four cylinder sisters. The club aims to keep the cars on the road, provides advice, spares and a social forum for enjoying the cars.
The Club can be contacted at: www.co-oc.org or UK phone number: 07966 249506
