Car & Classic Dealer

Martin Howey Classics

Thirsk Yorkshire

1957 WOLSELEY 1500 MARK 1 - JUST STUNNING ALL ROUND! For Sale

JUST hearing the word Wolseley immediately transports me back to the 1950s and early 60s when, probably armed with the latest I-Spy Book of Cars, I would spend the days loitering in the local streets and creeping onto people's driveways in a determined effort to look around their vehicle while inspecting every last detail down to the intricacies of the dashboard. Bloody sad child. Thankfully I discovered football soon afterwards and, interest-wise, that relegated cars to the second division.

Still, the interest remained of course and hence I do what I do today. So when I think of Wolseleys I think of Police cars, doctors, solicitors and probably anyone who could afford something above a mere Morris, Austin or Vauxhall. At least that was how the class system displayed itself within the wonderful world of motor cars more than half a century ago.

To own a Wolseley was to make a social statement. Your car came with leather and wood interior as standard and the Wolseley emblem on the impressive chrome radiator grille lit up in conjunction with your side and headlights. BMC - remember them? - also revelled in badge engineering. Meaning that, for instance, you could buy an Austin Cambridge or a Morris Oxford but when it came to choosing the Wolseley variant of the Farina range, you got more because you paid more. Snobbish yes. But it appealed back in era when washing the car and checking the levels every Sunday morning was de rigueur. Well it was if you expected your roast beef (cooked to shoe leather status a la 1960s) and Yorkshire puddings on the table at 12 o'clock prompt. Doubtless that was when I would leap from behind a wall and trespass if only to make a note of the differences between Wolseley and Morris dashboards. I repeat. Sad child.

So, winding the clock forward from those days 60 years ago when we still had paper boys, jam butties, AA officers astride motorbikes and eager young boys armed with I-Spy books, we come to this particular Wolseley. The 1500.

Launched in 1957, the 1500 was meant to be an up-market replacement for the faithful, if somewhat less glamorous Morris Minor. Built on the same floor pan, it came with a much bigger engine, a far more attractive design and all the usual top of the range goodies. Yet, looking back, maybe it flopped. By 1965, it and its sister car the sportier Riley 1. 5 were dropped from the BMC range. The seemingly much loved Moggie was to run for another six years! So much for a replacement model then eh?

All the same, the Wolseley 1500 was - and still is - a cracking little family car with oodles of smiles to the gallon.

PLEASE NOTE: MY PHOTOS TAKEN TODAY IN BRIGHT SUN DO NOT DO THIS LOVELY WOLSELEY JUSTICE. THE COLOUR IS DEEPER, HAS A BETTER SHINE AND, ALL IN ALL, THIS STUNNING CLASSIC LOOKS A LOT BETTER IN THE FLESH! VIEWING WELCOME TO SEE FOR YOURSELF!

Here we have a very early 1957 model (the year of the car's launch). in a beautiful deep burgundy. The 1500 "compact luxury saloon" was unveiled in May 1957 and this is a September car. All details of its despatch to the Darlington dealership and its subsequent sale for £783-19-6 are included in the file.

What is more, with it being an early example, the interior has delightful leather featured inside a rexine surround! Her wooden dashboard is in fantastic order. This is quite clearly a car that has led a pampered life for the past 61 years. I am as certain as I can be that she is NOT restored car in any shape or form; more a lovely old thing remaining original in so many ways. Her body and paintwork are in amazing condition. All right, there may be the odd minute scab or imperfection here and there if you give her the fine toothcomb treatment, but any such bits are practically inconsequential when you take an overview of this wonderful Wolseley. Floor pans remain untouched as does the boot floor and spare wheel well. Her underside is also just superb.

Straight and smart examples such as this are hard to find these days. Just take a look about and you will see what I mean. This gorgeous old girl retains her original Darlington registration number and comes with a fantastic history file which includes such documents as original bill of sale, warranty, original log book etc. She has covered less than 60, 000 miles in her life and drives admirably.

All my classic cars are treated as the equivalent of motoring antiques. This one, for example, is 61-years-old. They cannot be compared to the wife's six-month-old Chelsea tractor and they are bound to come with imperfections, quirks and bits and pieces that will need attention even if it is some time in the future. They do however come with oodles of charm, appeal and are there to be loved like a family pet. If you are new to the classic car scene, then please bear all this in mind. Most examples have clearly had work over the decades and I cannot predict how much or how little they will need in the future. That, I am afraid, is the nature of the beast in the world of classic cars. Motoring antiques is what they are. I love my Georgian dining table, but I can see all the scars and signs of previous woodworm. Had I wanted a brand new table, I would have gone to Oak Furniture Land. Well perhaps. Demand is outstripping supply these days and they don't make the old girls any more. So, make some allowances and drive away with a smile on your face!

I accept all major debit/ credit cards and a ten per cent deposit is required at the point of sale with the balance due within three days. I can also assist with delivery and so please ask for a quote. Thanks for reading, Martin. the details below).

This advert has now been removed through sale or otherwise.
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