Wolseley Hornet was the name of two different British vehicles sold under the Wolseley Motors nameplate. The first was a family of lightweight six-cylinder saloons, coupés, sports and racing cars produced in the 1930s; the second was a variant of the Mini built by the British Motor Corporation.
Wolseley Hornet at a glance
| Maker | Wolseley Motors Limited, later BMC |
|---|---|
| Name used for | two different vehicles |
| 1930s Hornet | six-cylinder lightweight saloon, coupé, sports and racing cars |
| Later Hornet | a variant of the Mini built by BMC |
| Related Mini model | Riley Elf, the Mini-based sister car |
| Body style of the Mini-based car | two-door saloon with a small boot |
The English Wikipedia page is a short disambiguation entry naming the two Wolseley Hornets, so this article stays brief. Based on one source.
History of the Wolseley Hornet
The 1930s Hornet six
The first Wolseley Hornet was a family of lightweight cars built around a six-cylinder engine. The range included saloons, coupés and open sports cars, and the model was also raced. These were small, quick cars for their period, and the Hornet name became one of the better known in the Wolseley catalogue of the 1930s.
The Mini-based Hornet
The second Wolseley Hornet was a variant of the Mini produced by the British Motor Corporation. Like the Riley Elf, it took the Mini’s mechanical layout and added a more upright, traditional front end and a small boot, in an attempt to give the small car a touch of luxury and to broaden the appeal of the Mini range. The two cars shared their approach: a Mini floor pan and running gear under a longer, more formal body.
Design and features
- Two separate cars: the same name covered a 1930s six-cylinder range and a later Mini derivative.
- Six-cylinder sports models: the original Hornet was a lightweight car offered as a saloon, coupé and open sports model.
- Mini-derived body: the later Hornet used Mini mechanicals with a more traditional front and a small boot.
Wolseley Hornet versions
- Hornet six (1930s): saloon, coupé, sports and racing versions.
- Hornet (Mini): the BMC variant of the Mini.
- Riley Elf: the Riley-badged sister car of the Mini-based Hornet.
The Wolseley Nine and Wolseley Ten were the marque’s small cars of the same period as the original Hornet. More cars are in the Wolseley collection.
Video: My Wolseley Hornet mk3
Video on YouTube.
Sources
- Wolseley Hornet, English Wikipedia: the two cars that used the name
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