Wolseley 6/99

Infobox Automobile
name = Wolseley 6/99 and 6/110


manufacturer = BMC
production = 1959-1968
37,209
class = FR
body_style = 4-door saloon
engine =
successor =
predecessor = Wolseley 6/90
designer =
related = Austin Westminster
Vanden Plas Princess
wheelbase =
length =
width =

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. Many police officers consider the "6/110" as the finest "area car" ever employed by the London Metropolitan Police Force.

The 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.

Wolseley 6/99

Infobox Automobile
name = Wolseley 6/99


manufacturer = BMC
production = 1959-1961
13,108cite book |last=Robson |first=Graham |title=A to Z British cars 1945-1980 |year=2006 |publisher=Herridge |location=Devon, UK |id=ISBN 0-9541063-9-3] .
class =
body_style =
engine = 2.9 L "C-Series" I6
transmission = 3 speed manual
automatic option
predecessor =
designer =
related =
wheelbase = convert|108|in|mm|abbr=on
length = convert|188|in|mm|abbr=on
width = convert|68|in|mm|abbr=on
height = convert|60|in|mm|abbr=on
assembly = Cowley, Oxfordshire, EnglandThe 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, convert|102|bhp|abbr=on, twin SU carburettor engine from the Austin-Healey 3000.

The suspension was the conventional BMC arrangement of coil springs and wishbones at the front with a live axle and semi elliptic leaf springs at the rear. An anti-roll bar was fitted at the front. Lockheed convert|10.75|in|mm|abbr=on discs brakes were fitted at the front with convert|10|in|mm|abbr=on drums at the rear and vacuum servo assistance.

The interior was finished in luxurious style to distance the Wolseley from its Austin stable mate. The dashboard was polished wood as were the door cappings. Leather upholstery was used on the two front seats and rear bench seat which had a fold down central arm rest. A choice of single or duo tone colour schemes was offered.

The Motor magazine tested a 6/99 with overdrive in 1959 and recorded a top speed of convert|97.6|mph|km/h|abbr=on and acceleration from 0-convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on in 14.4 seconds. A "touring" fuel consumption of 23.6 miles per gallon(imperial) was recorded. On the home market, as tested with overdrive, it cost £1254 including taxes of £369.cite journal| authorlink = Unsigned| title = The Wolsley 6/99| journal = The Motor| volume =| pages = | date = October 7 1959] .

Wolseley 6/110

Infobox Automobile
name = Wolseley 6/110


manufacturer = BMC
production = 1961-1968
24,101 made
class =
body_style =
engine = 2.9 L "C-Series" I6
transmission = 3 speed manual, 4 speed on Mk II
automatic option
predecessor =
designer =
related =
wheelbase =
length =
width = The large Farinas were updated in 1961 as the Austin A110 Westminster and Vanden Plas Princess 3-Litre Mk. II. It used the same engine but now tuned to give convert|120|bhp|abbr=on. The gear lever moved to the floor from the steering column. 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, overdrive was still available but now an option. 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.

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.

References

External links

* [http://www.co-oc.org Cambridge-Oxford Owners Club]