In Brief:

• A genuine barn-find example of a 1956 Wolseley 4/44
• Distinctive post-war British saloon
• A final-year production opportunity
• Restoration project with period character
• Suggested one owner history

Auctioneer's Notes:

Offered as a genuine barn-find example, this Wolseley 4/44 comes to market as part of a bereavement sale. Having been cleaned following its removal from storage, it remains presented as a restoration project and offers an appealing opportunity for an enthusiast looking for an increasingly uncommon example of this distinctive post-war British saloon.

Maintenance & Condition:

The Wolseley is presented in barn-find condition and should therefore be regarded as a restoration project requiring recommissioning and further inspection before returning to the road. Prospective purchasers are encouraged to satisfy themselves as to its mechanical and structural condition prior to bidding.

History:

A registration document is present, which records the vehicle as manufactured in 1956 and shows a registration date in 1984. The Vendor's late husband is the only keeper named on this document, with no former keepers recorded since that date. While this does not confirm that he was the vehicle's only keeper from new, it suggests that the car may have remained in his ownership since its 1984 registration.

Beyond this registration document, no further supporting paperwork or recorded history accompanies the vehicle, and little is presently known regarding its earlier ownership, maintenance or period in storage.

The Model:

Introduced in 1953, the Wolseley 4/44 was an upmarket four-door saloon styled by Gerald Palmer and closely related to the MG Magnette ZA. It combined traditional Wolseley detailing with a monocoque body, featuring the marque's distinctive upright chrome grille and illuminated badge, together with a typically well-appointed interior incorporating leather upholstery and polished walnut trim.

Power came from a 1,250cc XPAW four-cylinder engine, producing approximately 46 bhp, driving through a four-speed column-change manual gearbox. The 4/44 remained in production until 1956, when it was succeeded by the more powerful Wolseley 15/50.

Sale Insight:

As a final-year example of the Wolseley 4/44, this car represents an interesting restoration prospect with plenty of period character. Its registration document provides a useful link to long-term ownership from 1984, while its barn-find presentation gives the next owner the opportunity to preserve and revive an increasingly unusual 1950s British saloon.

*Buyer will need to apply for a new V5*

Estimate:
No Reserve