1965 Wolseley 1500

WOLSELEY 1500 1957 - 1965

The Wolseley 1500 was a front engine rear-wheel drive four door four seater and was produced from 1957 to 1965. In its heyday it was one of the most desierable Briitsh compact slaoons.

April 1957 saw the launch of the Wolseley 1500, which combiuned a new Gerald Palmer styled unitary body with the Morris Minor's floor pan, rack & pinion steering, and torsion bar front suspension derived from the Morris Minor. At the rear there were semi-elliptic leaf springs and there were drum brakes fore and aft. The interior was expecially appeaklin, with with its leather upholstery and walnut vennered fascia,

In November 1957 the Wolseley was joined by the more sporting Riley One Point Five (q.v.) and at the beginning oif 1959 BMC introiduced the cheaoer 1500 "Fleet" with Vynide seats and less elaborate trim. In May 1960 the facelifted 1500 Mk. II boasted concealed bonnet and boot hinges, a parvel shelf beneath the dasboard and lowered front susopension. It alsio lost the disticyve 'W' badge on the front wings. By October 1961 the Mk. III of October 1961 had amber front indicators, larger taillights, slightly modified suspension, a more logical heater controls and single , as opposed to duotone, hide trim on the 1500 Family.

The Wolseley 1100 ADO16 replaced the Wolseley 1500 Mk. III in September 1965.

The Wolseley 1500 was powered by the BMC B-Series 1,498cc OHV S4 unit with a four speed manual gear change. There was synchromesh on the top three ratios

For the driver who craves the Morris Minor's virtues together with greater comfort and extra ppower - but without the performance of the Riley One Point Five - the Wolseley 1500 is the ideal choice. Fitting an aftermarket brake servo does make for a more usuable car in 21st century road conditions.

The Wolseley 1500's sills, wings and floor pan should be examined for rust while, as with thje Morris Minor, poor maintained frtont suspension swivels can prove expensive. The gearbox is known to be vuklnerabkle to wear. Worn leather seats on the family will not be cheap to refurbish.

Rivals for the Wolseley 1500 included the Ford Prefect 107E, the Singer Gazelle Series I-V, the Standard Pennant and the Triumph Herald 1200.