1932 Wolseley Hornet Special Sports Chassis no. 12/78 Engine no. 2733/75A
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Description
1932 Wolseley Hornet Special Sports
Coachwork by March
Registration no. YY 1713
Chassis no. 12/78
Engine no. 2733/75A
•Only six owners in 90 years
•Off the road 1976-2017
•Restored in 2017
•Restoration bills available
Footnotes:
Although its image in later years became ever more difficult to distinguish from that of other makes within the British Motor Corporation, in the early 1930s Wolseley occupied the front rank of British sports cars alongside MG, Riley and Frazer Nash. The single model responsible was the Wolseley Hornet.
Introduced in 1930, the Hornet saloon deployed Wolseley's overhead-camshaft, six-cylinder engine in a lengthened Morris Minor chassis equipped with hydraulic brakes. Its power-to-weight ratio was exemplary among contemporary 1.3-litre cars, the smooth and flexible six pulling from walking pace to more than 60mph. The model was revised for 1932 with a shortened, chain-driven overhead-cam engine (repositioned further forward to improve cabin space) and a four-speed 'silent third' gearbox.
Increased performance was offered by the Hornet Special chassis, which came with 12' brakes and a remote-control gearshift. The Special used the shortened engine equipped with twin-carburettors and an oil cooler, in which form it produced 45bhp, good enough for a top speed, depending on coachwork, of around 75mph. The Special chassis rapidly became that of choice for the multitude of independent coachbuilders already using the Hornet as the basis for a sporting two-seater.
The Hornet Special was soon making its mark in competitions, one noteworthy achievement being the victory achieved by a team of three Eustace Watkins Hornets (two E W Daytonas on the Special chassis, one E W International on the standard chassis) in the 1932 relay race at Brooklands at an average speed of 77.57mph.
Carrying four-seater tourer coachwork by March, this rare British sports car is understood to have had only six owners over the course of its 90 years. The Hornet had been off the road since 1976 when it was restored in 2017 at a cost of around £18,000. Related bills are on file. Described by the vendor as in good restored condition throughout, the car also comes with all its old logbooks; a current V5C document; some MoT certificates; a selection of photographs; a handbook; and a document of verification from the Wolseley Hornet Club.
Coachwork by March
Registration no. YY 1713
Chassis no. 12/78
Engine no. 2733/75A
•Only six owners in 90 years
•Off the road 1976-2017
•Restored in 2017
•Restoration bills available
Footnotes:
Although its image in later years became ever more difficult to distinguish from that of other makes within the British Motor Corporation, in the early 1930s Wolseley occupied the front rank of British sports cars alongside MG, Riley and Frazer Nash. The single model responsible was the Wolseley Hornet.
Introduced in 1930, the Hornet saloon deployed Wolseley's overhead-camshaft, six-cylinder engine in a lengthened Morris Minor chassis equipped with hydraulic brakes. Its power-to-weight ratio was exemplary among contemporary 1.3-litre cars, the smooth and flexible six pulling from walking pace to more than 60mph. The model was revised for 1932 with a shortened, chain-driven overhead-cam engine (repositioned further forward to improve cabin space) and a four-speed 'silent third' gearbox.
Increased performance was offered by the Hornet Special chassis, which came with 12' brakes and a remote-control gearshift. The Special used the shortened engine equipped with twin-carburettors and an oil cooler, in which form it produced 45bhp, good enough for a top speed, depending on coachwork, of around 75mph. The Special chassis rapidly became that of choice for the multitude of independent coachbuilders already using the Hornet as the basis for a sporting two-seater.
The Hornet Special was soon making its mark in competitions, one noteworthy achievement being the victory achieved by a team of three Eustace Watkins Hornets (two E W Daytonas on the Special chassis, one E W International on the standard chassis) in the 1932 relay race at Brooklands at an average speed of 77.57mph.
Carrying four-seater tourer coachwork by March, this rare British sports car is understood to have had only six owners over the course of its 90 years. The Hornet had been off the road since 1976 when it was restored in 2017 at a cost of around £18,000. Related bills are on file. Described by the vendor as in good restored condition throughout, the car also comes with all its old logbooks; a current V5C document; some MoT certificates; a selection of photographs; a handbook; and a document of verification from the Wolseley Hornet Club.
Condition
For Condition Images, please use the below link.
https://we.tl/t-ny2lLcXFJ8
If you have any further questions about this lot or would like to discuss the vehicle in more detail, please contact the consigning Specialist for this lot at the details below.
Richard Stafford
+44 7799 555 681
richard.stafford@bonhams.com
https://we.tl/t-ny2lLcXFJ8
If you have any further questions about this lot or would like to discuss the vehicle in more detail, please contact the consigning Specialist for this lot at the details below.
Richard Stafford
+44 7799 555 681
richard.stafford@bonhams.com
Buyer's Premium
- 27.5% up to £20,000.00
- 26% up to £700,000.00
- 20% above £700,000.00
1932 Wolseley Hornet Special Sports Chassis no. 12/78 Engine no. 2733/75A
Estimate £25,000 - £35,000
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Item located in Beaulieu, England, ukSee Policy for Shipping
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