Wolseley 6/99

The Wolseley 6/99 and 6/110 were the final large Wolseley cars. Styled by Pininfarina with additions by BMC staff stylists, 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.

Wolseley 6/99 and 6/110
Wolseley 6/110 (1965)
Overview
ManufacturerBMC
Production1959–1968
37,209
Body and chassis
ClassFull-size car
Body style4-door saloon
LayoutFR layout
RelatedAustin Westminster Vanden Plas Princess
Chronology
PredecessorWolseley 6/90

The cars were also marketed in Denmark as the Wolseley 300.[1]

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
Wolseley 6/99
Wolseley 6/99 (1961)
Overview
ManufacturerBMC
Also calledWolseley 300 (Denmark)[1]
Production1959–1961
13,108.[2]
AssemblyCowley, Oxfordshire, England
Powertrain
Engine2.9 L C-Series I6
Transmission3-speed manual
Borg-Warner 3-speed automatic option
Dimensions
Wheelbase108 in (2,700 mm)[3]
Length188 in (4,800 mm)[3]
Width68.5 in (1,740 mm)[3]
Height60 in (1,500 mm)[3]
Chronology
PredecessorWolseley 6/90 Series III
SuccessorWolseley 6/110

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 (76 kW), 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 10.75 in (273 mm) disc brakes were fitted at the front with 10 in (250 mm) drum brakes at the rear and vacuum servo assistance.

The interior was finished in luxurious style to distance the Wolseley from its Austin stablemate. 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.

Wolseley 6/99s with left hand drive shipped to Canada used the 4-speed floor mounted shift with overdrive identical to that in the Austin-Healey 100/6 and 3000.

The Motor magazine tested a 6/99 with overdrive in 1959 and recorded a top speed of 97.6 mph (157.1 km/h) and acceleration from 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 14.4 seconds. A "touring" fuel consumption of 23.6 mpg‑imp (12.0 L/100 km; 19.7 mpg‑US) was recorded. On the home market, as tested with overdrive, it cost £1254 including taxes of £369.[3]

Wolseley 6/110
Wolseley 6/110
Wolseley 6/110 Mk II
Overview
ManufacturerBMC
Also calledWolseley 300 (Denmark)[1]
Production1961–1968
24,101 made[2]
Powertrain
Engine2.9 L C-Series I6
Transmission3-speed manual, 4-speed on Mk II
Borg-Warner 3-speed automatic option[4]
Dimensions
Wheelbase110 in (2,800 mm)[5]
Length188 in (4,800 mm)
Width68.5 in (1,740 mm)
Height60 in (1,500 mm)
Chronology
PredecessorWolseley 6/99
Successornone

The 6/99 was replaced by the Wolseley 6/110 in 1961. The wheelbase was increased by 2 inches (51 millimetres) and the seating slightly altered to give 3 inches more rear seat legroom compared to the 6/99.[6] It used the same engine but now tuned to give 120 bhp (89 kW). For manual transmission cars, the gear lever was moved from the steering column to the floor. Hydrosteer variable ratio power steering and air conditioning were options from July 1962.

A Mark II model was released in 1964 with smaller 13-inch (330 mm) wheels and a 4-speed transmission with overdrive available as an option. Production of the Mark II ended in March 1968.[7] 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.

  • Wolseley 6/110 Mark II
gollark: They don't necessarily run on the ratios.
gollark: Who knows. They could be based on, say, the time since latest post in suggestions/requests.
gollark: Also, it'd be 3 usually.
gollark: The metallocracy is very small.
gollark: <@282594912682115074> 90%? More like 99%.

References
  1. Also known as : Farina-based models, AROnline Retrieved on 26 November 2012
  2. Robson, Graham (2006). A to Z British cars 1945–1980. Herridge. ISBN 0-9541063-9-3.
  3. "The Wolsley 6/99". The Motor. 7 October 1959.
  4. Wolseley 6/110 Mark II sales brochure, no. 6516, March 1965
  5. Wolseley 6/110 sales brochure 62151
  6. Comparison of Wolseley 6/99 and 6/110 sales brochures 61-15 and 62151
  7. Wolseley 6 110 at www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au Retrieved on 25 October 2011
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