Filed Under: News
Scarpa lads the rozzer’s, a frequent term used in various parts of London and no doubt other cities, what has that to do with car’s, well probably the most loved police car by those whose job it was to drive one of the last large Wolseley’s reckoned that it was best area car ever supplied to the force. I presume the picnic tables were removed before the villans were bundled in, sight of the 99/110 on it’s way to a shout was something to behold.
Living near the local nick I often watched the Wolseley take the Summerstown bend at speed, this was no mean feat, at least once a month the traffic island would be scattered down the Garratt Lane.
The 6/99 was the successor to the much derided 6/90, the 6/99 was another of Pinin Farina work of art, at least the back end of this Wolseley looked like it was designed rather than stuck on as an after thought.
Of course BMC or whoever was in charge, not that it was important could not resist badge engineering, I suppose we should be thankful they only adopted the Austin and the Princess, the Austin was used as the base model, our Wolseley was as luxurious as ever.
The seats were covered in Leather and the front seats could be adjusted individually, naturally thick carpet on the floor and real wood dashboard and cappings.
The 6/99 ran from 1959 until 1961, during that time 13000 odd models left the Cowley plant, for knowledge the Austin version came from Longbridge, and another little known fact there was actually a number of estates built, but never went into production, get your hands on one of them.
Pinin Farina design with help from the BMC stylist department produced a really elegant saloon, the use of BMC’s straight 6 engine propelled the car along at a fair rate of knots, the 2912cc motor produced 102bhp gave near enough 100mph, unfortunately petrol was guzzled at the rate of somewhere in the region of 19 – 23 mpg, and the obligatory 0-60 was about 14 seconds, no doubt a chance to produce tyre squeal on take off.
Gearbox, 3 speed with electric overdrive, twin SU’s, suspension Coil Springs and wishbones on the front, at the other end a live rear axle and semi elliptic leaf springs, which BMC couldn’t quite make up their minds as to the number of leaves, there was also an anti roll bar.
Brakes were quite good front discs and rear drums with vacuum servo.
Sad to say one of the estates the brakes didn’t actually manage to stop it and the luckless motoring correspondent went straight through a wall, at least he was only shaken and not stirred.
The 6/99 was updated in 1961, so much so they decided it should become the 6/110, the car was produced until 1968 and about 24000 came off the Cowley line.
The engine now had 120 bhp, the chassis was lengthened to improve the road holding, the gear lever went on to the floor as was now becoming the norm.
Power Steering and Air Conditioning became available as an option in 1962, the car was updated again in 1964 and became known as the Mk11, 13inch wheels were fitted and a 4 speed box, there was an option to have a Borg Warner Auto.
The number of leaves was still being changed to the elliptic springs, originally 8 were fitted and then that was increased to eleven and then reduced to seven, and a transverse anti sway hydraulic damper fitted at the rear, and to finish it all off twin exhausts.
Apparently more Police Forces used the 110 more than any other car, though for police purposes it was supplied in Black whilst private customers could have two tone paint.
There was another rather special car that was a spin off of the Wolseley/Austin model, the Rolls Royce powered 4 litre Princess R, as a sales exercise it was a disaster and very few were sold, put down to high running costs, well one person who had on was no less than Harry Web, known as Cliff Richards, I actually had a ride in the car, no not with Cliff he had sold it and a friendly carpet salesman acquired it, you might guess it was something else.
Before closing it is very odd there are no comments about the bodywork, it would seem that the rust problem didn’t manifest itself, there is one downside the car was so well made the banger racers would go round buying them up, a great pity to lose cars this way.
Thanks as always drive with care we need you.
Ted Lay
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