A-Z Of Marques No 70: Wolseley

Your support helps us to tell the story

Support Now

My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.

Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.

Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond

Eric Garcia

Washington Bureau Chief

Find out more

The marque: Founded as the Wolseley Sheep Shearing Machine Company in Sydney in 1887. It changed its location to Birmingham, and its output to cars.

The marque: Founded as the Wolseley Sheep Shearing Machine Company in Sydney in 1887. It changed its location to Birmingham, and its output to cars.

The history: Works manager Herbert Austin was the driving force behind the company and its initial foray into the car market. The Wolseley Autocar No 1 resembled little more than a powered tricycle and returned a zero in the units sold column. After a Wolsey won the Thousand Mile Trial race of 1900, the first production car went on sale for £270. The company was bought out by Hiram Maxim, machine-gun manufacturer, and became the Wolseley Tool and Motor Car Company. Austin left to set up his own company in 1906. By 1913, Wolseley was one of the largest motor manufacturers in the UK. During the First World War, the Birmingham factory went into overdrive, manufacturing military equipment. Peacetime saw demand for the expensive Wolseleys dwindle. In 1927, Wolseley Motors went bankrupt. Austin tabled a buyout, but the spoils went to William Morris. The early 1930s saw the company's fortunes improve, with production of the Wolseley Hornet. The introduction of the illuminated radiator badge strengthened the brand image and featured until production ceased in 1975. The bigger Wolseleys - six-cylinder cars such as the 6/110 - enjoyed popularity as police cars. The last example of the marque was the Six, launched in March 1975.

Defining model: 6/110, as seen in old British films.

They say: The Civilised Sports Car.

We say: Woolly.