1959 Wolseley 6/99

WOLSELEY 6/99 & 6/110 1959 - 1968

The Wolseley 6/99 was one of the BMC 'Big Farina' range that was sandwiched by the cheaper Austin A99 Westminster and the more expensive Vanden Plas Princess 3 Litre. It was a five/six seater front engine rear-wheel drive four-door saloon that was manufactured from 1959 to 1961. It was replaced by the 6/110 which remained in production until 1968.

Asides from the traditional radiator grille, the Pininfarina-styled unitary coachwork of the Wolseley 6/99 bore no resemblance to the Gerald Palmer lines of its 6/90 predecessor. It debuted in July 1959 and to further distinguish it from the A99, there was a wood veneered dashboard, fog, spot and reversing lamps, a cigar lighter and the trademark Wolseley illuminated 'ghost light' badge. As with the Westminster, there was a steering column gear change, front independent coil spring and wishbones with semi-elliptic leaf springs at the rear, anti-roll bars on both axles, cam & peg steering, servo assisted disc front brakes and drum rear brakes.

The 6/99 was succeeded by the Wolseley 6/110, retrospectively known as the 'Mk. I', in the autumn of 1961, and the new model paralleled the Austin A110 Westminster and the Vanden Plas Princess Mk. II. The gear lever was now floor mounted and the engine offered more power. July 1962 saw power steering and - rarely seen in the UK - air conditioning was added to the extras' list. The Wolseley 6/110 Mk. II of May 1964 had improved transmission, telescopic rather than lever arm rear dampers and smaller wheels; reclining front seats and picnic tables were now standard. Mk. II production ended in March 1968.

Power for the Wolseley 6/99 and the 6/110 was a 2,912cc S6 OHV engine with twin SU carburettors. The 6/99 and 6/110 Mk. I had three-speed all-synchromesh transmission with Borg Warner overdrive on the top two gears, the 6/110 Mk.2 had four-speed gears with no synchromesh on first; overdrive was now optional. A Borg Warner automatic box was an extra on all models - DG on the early versions, Model 35 on the Mk. II.

The Wolseleys are often regarded as the best-looking of the Big Farinas and they combine comfort - especially in 6/110 Mk. II form - with still impressive motorway cruising ability. Power steering is a bonus and not a few drivers find that the Wolseley is well-suited to an automatic transmission. Many also regard the 6/99's manual steering column gear change as superior to the 6/110 Mk. I's floor lever. And on a historical note, the popularity of the Wolseleys with constabularies across the UK was reflected in countless British films of the 1960s.

In common with its Austin and Vanden Plas stablemates, special note should be paid to the Wolseley's front cross member, A-pillars, door bottoms, front wings and rear arches. Most running gear can be sourced although brightwork and some detailing, such as 6/99 switchgear, can be difficult to obtain.

Competitors to the Wolseley 6/99 include the Ford Zodiac Mk. II, the Humber Hawk Series I/II and Super Snipe Series I/II the Rover P4 100 and the Vauxhall PA Cresta. The 6/110 rivalled the Ford Zodiac Mk. III and IV, the Humber Hawk Series III-IVA and Super Snipe, Series III- V, the Rover P4 110 and the Vauxhall PB/PC Cresta.