In Brief:

• Good example of a Mk III Wolseley Hornet
• Finished in Light Grey with a contrasting Dark Grey roof over a Red interior
• Owned by The Vendor for the last year
• 4 former keepers
• Recently undergone recommissioning work

Auctioneer’s Notes:

A very smart and characterful example of the Mk III Wolseley Hornet, this 1969 car is finished in Light Grey with a contrasting Dark Grey roof over a striking Red interior. Offering all the charm of the classic Mini but with a far more refined and distinctive presentation, the Hornet remains one of BMC’s most appealing and unusual small saloons. With just four former keepers and recent recommissioning work, this example presents as a tidy and usable little classic.

Maintenance & Condition:

The Hornet has recently been recommissioned following a period of light use, with a thorough programme of mechanical attention carried out. Works include new brake pipes and hoses, wheel cylinders and shoes, along with new spark plugs and points, a new fuel pump and fuel pipes, plus new clutch and oil filters.

History:

Owned by The Vendor for the last year, this Hornet has had four former keepers in total. The accompanying history file includes a workshop manual, an original Wolseley Hornet Mk III handbook, and a selection of invoices and MOT certificates, providing useful supporting documentation and adding to the car’s overall appeal.

The Model:

Introduced in 1961, the Wolseley Hornet was BMC’s more luxurious take on the Mini, sharing its compact, front-wheel-drive mechanicals but wrapped in a more traditional, upmarket body with extended rear wings and a proper boot. Built by Fisher & Ludlow under their “Fisholow” brand, the Hornet offered greater prestige through features such as a distinctive upright grille and richer interior trim. The Mk III facelift of 1966 brought wind-up windows, fresh-air fascia vents and concealed door hinges, along with improvements to the gear-change mechanism and later full synchromesh gearing. Production of the Hornet and its sister model, the Riley Elf, ended in late 1969 after fewer than 30,000 examples of each were built.

Sale Insight:

With its attractive colour combination, recent mechanical recommissioning and useful history file, this Mk III Hornet represents a delightful and usable alternative to a standard Mini.

Estimate:
£2,650 - £3,650