1957 Wolseley 15/50 Saloon

The Wolseleys and their cousin the MG Magnettes gained great popularity during the 1950s. The MGs clearly appealed to the sportier customer who relished the twin carburettor performance and the fact that the passenger could not see the speedo so easily. Wolseley had always produced quality cars from the beginning of the last century and despite takeovers and mass production techniques, somehow managed to appeal to those who appreciated just that little extra. Maybe it was the upmarket interior treatment with neat instrumentation set in a polished wood dashboard, or perhaps it was that little illuminated Wolseley badge at the top of the radiator grille, which must have given the odd ne’er-do-well a bit of a fright that a police car was behind. Power for the 15/50 came from the same 1498cc B series engine as the MG, but with a single carburettor, just 55 bhp was available.

You could possibly be excused for not believing the mileage claimed for this particular motor car so further explanation is no doubt required. The Wolseley was bought new by a lady chemist from Aberdeen, who by the very nature of her profession was careful and by her background as a Scot knew exactly what she wanted. Apparently, she cast carefully around the competition before settling on this Wolseley. However, she particularly specified that a sunshine roof was required (in Scotland?), so the Wolseley was taken by Mr Lewis, the sales person, to Messrs Weathershields of Birmingham where a neat steel sliding sunroof was properly fitted at a then cost of around £1,000. Mr Lewis was tasked with driving the motor car carefully back to Aberdeen, for it was not yet run in.

For thirty-three years, the Wolseley lived with the lady and despite covering negligible mileage, was sent to Mr Lewis for a service at the beginning of each month!

In 1970 the 15/50 was gifted to Mr Lewis for his stalwart attention. At this point it had covered 8,000 miles. Mr Lewis retained the motor car for a further nineteen years and eventually Waxoyled it and put it into store. Various people tried to acquire the Wolseley but it was not until 1989 that a Mr Taverner took possession of the motor car and treated it to a photographed respray in the original black. It remains in good order throughout, apart from the off-side rear wing panel, which may benefit from a respray.

This wonderful Wolseley comes with a V5C registration certificate, and an older copy, the RF60 registration book, a detailed history file including MOT test certificates, a handbook, a workshop manual, various correspondence and newspaper cuttings about WTG 343.

If this is not enough, it will have been noted that it has a heater, but then thirty-three years in Aberdeen would have warranted one for sure.

Auction Date: 25 November 2021