Jim Jarron's Motoring Pages

Designed by Farina and built in England, the Wolseley is now a style leader in the medium size field. But we'll be lucky to see it!

The British Motor Corporation in England has just announced the second result of their alliance with Italianstylist Pinin Farina. The new car is the Wolseley 15/60, which replaces the 15/50 (similar to the 4/44 in shape). The Wolseley 1500 will continue in production.

The 15/60 is a beautifully styled and finished machine, but rather big for its 1500cc. motor. It weighs 22cwt kerbside. In spite of this, the factory claim 80mph and 29.5mpg at a constant 60mph. And to keep up with the weight and performance, the brakes have been enlarged to provide no less than 147 square inches of friction area.

The body style itself has the traditional Farina touches, such as a light and airy appearance with a large rear window over which the roof line hangs slightly. There are no flowing curves. Practically the whole shape of the car relies on straight, simple lines to which the traditional Wolseley radiator grille has been skilfully blended. An additional grille on either side of the radiator intake serves the heating/demisting/ventilation system.

Rear end view of the Wolseley shows tail fin treatment and big boot.  Note huge rear window with roof overhang

Not unexpectedly, the car has tail fins but, unlike many, they are graceful and conform neatly
with the car's style. Front and rear windows are big and curved, but do not wrap around in the true sense.

Internal treatment has been very well done. The dash panel is capped in walnut and the two main instrument dials are clustered directly in front of the driver, under a cowl. The wheel is a two-spoke, dished affair with a horn ring on the lower half. The top of the dash panel is covered in matt black leatherette to minimise reflection in the windscreen. Real leather upholstery has been used throughout and the front seat is of the divided bench type, with each half separately adjustable. The rear seat has a folding armrest in the centre and there are carpets on all the floors. A heating and demisting system is standard.

Modest priced luxury is one of the features of the new Wolseley. Car has leather upholstery, carpets throughout and walnut cappings on dash panel and doors. Gear lever is on the floor.

For the driver, there is a full range of instruments, including engine temperature gauge and one for oil pressure. Windscreen washers are also standard. Luggage space is really generous at 19 cubic feet and the spare wheel has a separate compartment under the boot floor, as has the 10 gallon fuel tank. Yet, the rear of the car is graceful and in no way looks overlarge.

The power unit is the well tried BMC B-type engine of 1489cc and top gear in the four speed box gives direct drive with an overall ratio of 4.55 to 1. Performance claims made by BMC for the 15/60 are a top speed of nearly 80mph, 37mpg at a constant 30mph and 35 to 50 mph top gear acceleration in 14.2 seconds. It is not expected that this car will be sold in Australia.

Body stylist Pinin Farina will be making a visit to Australia during February, with his son Sergio. The visit of the Farinas is entirely unsponsored, which should put paid to rumours which said they were coming out as guests of the British Motor Corporation.

Farina's firm is retained by the BMC to design cars for them. His policy is to style cars for only one manufacturer in each country.