Wolseley 16/60 - a forgotten British 60s classic!

[@philipwardle6820]

Thanks Steph, in response to the earlier hurtful comments, which I find very offensive, please put this conribution to a night out in the pub. Your background research and presentation style are much valued by many, and your lovely personality always shines through and makes my day💝

[@idriveaclassic]

Oh Philip you are the sweetest man. Thank you! I’ll take the boys for a well earned drink after this week. You’re so kind. Thank you xxx

[@jamesmorgan2448]

What a lovely kind gesture. I can't imagine anyone making hurtful comments on here as Steph is so lovely, and her videos are so enjoyable to watch.

[@johndrake2729]

Very nice of you. I don't think I've come across any unpleasant comments, but the people posting them are wasting their time!

[@johndean958]

Hey Steph, I want you to know how much I look forward to and enjoy all of your presentations. I really mean this, it is such a pleasure. Thankyou. John ( Australia).

[@johndean958]

Well said . Goodness comes back to us and I agree with you . Steph is the best. So unique and refreshingly herself. A natural who spreads her warmth and fun throughout. From a Fan, John ( Australia ).

[@lennyh500]

Always thought of them as an old man's car, but now as an old man... 😂

[@jomaoliveira7949]

You are quite right. I always have been into minis. I knew I was getting older when I realized I needed to buy a Riley Elf.

[@markshrimpton3138]

A lovely comment.

[@danieleregoli812]

Me too. Definitely. At 52 it makes perfect sense as a classic saloon for a sedate weekend outing❤

[@Steven-p4j]

I am an old man too, but I have no sense of it mentally, only my joints and bones let me down. As long as I have a right foot for the go and stop pedals, I am fine.

[@philhealey4443]

​@jomaoliveira7949 A Wolseley Hornet too staid then ?

[@blacklisted4885]

I wish there was smell-o-vision. These old cars smell so good

[@Firebrand55]

Funny you should say that. I worked on an RAF Shackleton aircraft for a while in the 1960's. Much later I went to an airshow which had a nose-section of a Shackleton. The minute I walked into the cockpit...the familiar aroma took me right back to engines changes in the rain; propeller changes in the rain; refuelling in the rain...and the 400-odd hours I spent in the aircraft. THAT'S what smell-o-vision does!!

[@noscwoh1]

I've always had a soft spot for Wolseleys, which is strange because I'm American and never even seen one in real life. I'd love to find one and import it one day.

[@patagualianmostly7437]

Good luck with that.... and look too at Riley's... they were also just that "little bit grander" than the run-of-the-mill stuff turned out by British Leyland.

[@janfswedane]

@@patagualianmostly7437 The Farinas were made long before the BLMC era, it was in the BMC era... Not that it made these car better, they were utterly crap cars, like UK's very own AMC... Import a Peugeot 404 if you like the style, penned by the same person, Pininfarina, but much better engineered...

[@andyarmstrong1493]

Wow , 54 years old! That interior looks so comfortable and inviting.

[@michaelsimpson945]

Enjoy your content Steph your knowledge to hell with the naysayers thanks for your time

[@andreamanninfiaschi1679]

Great value for money, elegant, sober, soothing. The recipe for failure in this mad world!

[@-old-school-motorcyclesltd]

Reminds me of being child in the 70s and my father repairing them at the family garage that we still own😊😊 Another top job Steph 😊 Atb phil

[@penfold5095]

What a great car in superb condition.

[@idriveaclassic]

Yes indeed!

[@guysteward884]

Great car, enjoyed the video. My 1st car aged 17 in1976 was an Oxford bought for £50. Cost me £90 to insure! Then got a less rotten one which I had for years. Wish I had kept it....

[@davidhinkson8856]

This is a beautifully restored example. Haven't seen one of these on the road in years, and most of the Wolseleys i remember seeing as a child were painted grey. This black example looks very classy.

[@danieljames2015]

The most handsome of the Farina Saloons. Gorgeous front.

[@conesuela1]

Another life improving video from my favourite old car fanatic. Thank you!

[@loveisall5520]

I love this channel. Steph doesn’t just judge cars based on whether their sports cars are performance cars. I am I am a guy who has loved all cars all my life, fast or slow, racy or family style as a Texan, these roundabouts that our British friends have are a mystery to me. They look so confusing. I expect they make more sense than traffic lights, but we just don’t have them like this. Thank you, Steph, for you had another great video on a car that I cannot buy here in Texas easily I have never seen a Wolseley Over here in the US.

[@johndean958]

We have these roundabouts throughout Australia now. They keep the traffic moving well. Love this model Wolseley. I had one as did my Grandparents. I just love how Steph presents so naturally. Cheers, John ( Australia )

[@andyward8336]

My grandfather had a auto 16/60 . The strange thing was in the passenger's left foot well was a old fashioned three pin round pin plug socket , and with the engine running you could boil a kettle , on days out having a picnic .

[@bobfrankish8883]

Great car Steph. Brings back some very happy memories. My first car was a 1964 Morris Oxford, basically the same car. I bought it in 1971, I was 19, it cost £50. Although only 7 years old it was absolutely rotten. I had it for about 4 years before it was scrapped, and I was constantly having it welded up during that time. You just expected it though, so I still look back fondly on that car.

[@philm9593]

Me too. My Dad taught me how to drive his Morris Oxford. The model with raised tail fins, not the rounded ones shown here. Column change. Metal worm got to it in the end. Broke his heart when he scrapped it. Happy days. 😊

[@patagualianmostly7437]

Cars of the 1970-1972 were ALL rot boxes. It seemed that something went wrong with raw steel production at that time. Vauxhalls seemed to suffer the worst. Maybe someone here can explain just what went wrong, because I believe it wasn't just the UK but was a world wide problem.

[@chriswilliams1022]

Great video Steph by the way you look great

[@michaelhalsall5684]

We all think you look great and you do so much research about the cars you are presenting!😊

[@johndean958]

Thankyou for all you show and do with these beautiful and class cars. I absolutely love these model Wolseleys. Such charm and grace inside and out. I love the grill and how it is slightly pronounced. It is a beautiful, charming car. Cheers, John (Australia)

[@hannodearing1366]

Absolutely lovely, Steph. Please keep going, and cheers from your personal fan club in Austria! 😎

[@idriveaclassic]

Thank you! Will do!

[@drwho534]

Another well detailed classical review and enjoyable drive with Steph! Thanks for taking us along for the ride.

[@garymclean-quin928]

What a charming car... I remember them so well, elegant and desirable even if a bit old fashioned. My dad, with a Canadian background, but we were in Scotland, had Fords which looked more modern but... charm bypass! I love your reviews, your style, your charm! And your detailed knowledge. Thank you!

[@terben7339]

In Australia, this car was up-engined as the 24/80 model, with a 2.4L six cylinder engine.

[@Davidm1956]

In a fit of youthful exuberance, 3 of us chipped in $20 each in 1974 and bought a 24/80 to hoon around in. Despite the pub crawls and subsequent abuse, it refused to die. Eventually ran out of rego.

[@markiesmith4537]

Seen those rotary heater controls on all the BMC farina models both 4 cylinder and 6 cylinder (but not the A40) also the MGB and MGBGT but never on a Rover - Great video Steph!

[@bernardlison2311]

What a fantastic video. This brought back so many happy memories. The first car I drove after passing my test 50 years ago was my dads 16/60 that he inherited from my grandad. FRH 283D . I found it quite emotional to watch.

[@johndean958]

Me too. I adored my Grandparents and this lovely car suited them. I brought one and loved it . I still do.Cheers, John ( Australia)

[@simon.easton]

Love the car, seats look lovely. Clearly another very well cared for example and a privilege to see you take it out and give us a little history and context as usual. Just adding, as others have done, that both Jo and I were shocked by comments made recently on your channel. Be sure that the majority appreciate the content you are producing and your boundless enthusiasm for these lovely old cars.

[@markshrimpton3138]

Yes whoever it was was appalling and didn’t even have the courage to identify himself.

[@patagualianmostly7437]

@@markshrimpton3138 ....or "herself"....One never knows these days!

[@Vince_uk]

Wonderful Steph, simply wonderful and terrific example of the model.

[@dennismccarthy7032]

Great car , Great show ❤

[@janstephenson7688]

Thanks Steph another classic BMC beauty. I learned to drive on my Dad's 1967 Morris Oxford then inherited it from him. I adored that car & kept it for many years.

[@brianc8463]

Another excellent old car review. Love your channel. You are a very gifted and entertaining presenter, Steph!

[@UrbanoDagrippino]

Lovely car

[@austendallaston3537]

The horns are Lucas Windtones, a beautiful sound😊

[@francisnewmarch6837]

Thanks

[@idriveaclassic]

Thank you so much! You’ll be helping keep petrol in the old girls 😘

[@HQBProductions]

It would be interesting to drive the MG Magnette version…recently there was a gleaming one of them street parked in a not very nice area but thankfully it seemed to survive but has disappeared now. A rare car but you are understanding why so many ended up as Banger Racing cars..they drove so well and that gearbox was a gem! Sty safe…see you on Sunday!🤞🏼🤞🏼😃😃😃😃

[@scottpeterMA]

Great, interesting review as usual, Steph. Stylish reviewing, thank you

[@idriveaclassic]

My pleasure!

[@TimothyLyon]

I learned to drive in one of these. Quite a big car to learn on. My instructor was a very big chap who had rather flattened the passenger seat, so that I think the examiner had trouble seeing over the dashboard.!

[@idriveaclassic]

Oh gawd 😂

[@TimothyLyon]

@@idriveaclassic After passing my test I had a year or so with my 1953 Morris Minor convertible which I bought for £2 17s 6d, then I up graded to the Wolseley's stable mate the MG Magnette. Twin carbs and, I seem to recall, luminous characters on the instrument panels which sort of glowed up when you put the panel lights on. Fantastic boots on these cars,

[@daleady]

Used to love these, beautiful and wolseley refinements. Used to be a beauty in east fortune car museum!

[@James-ld2jc]

This was pure nostalgia. My grandad had one 40 odd years ago. Lovely old barge, two-tone paint (dark brown over light brown), it was sold to a guy who wanted it as a donor car. Turns out that it was better than the car that was being restored...

[@keiths314]

My mum drove a 15/60 for all my childhood. Really loved it. Mum’s car had a much nicer wood on the dash though… This video really brought back memories.

[@stephenluke2347]

Thanks Stef for the review. I always loved the look of the Wolseley but never owned one.

[@johnscarsandstuff]

I prefer the bigger, six-cylinder, 'farina saloons but that Wolseley looked very nice. The one thing I wish that the Wolseley 6-110 had from the 16-60 are the extra grilles between the headlamps and the main grille. It gives the smaller car a hint of Facel Vega when viewed from head-on.

[@pggar019]

In Australia BMC took the 16/60 and added two cylinders and created the 24/80

[@user-fed-yum]

Great review, imagine how many more of these they would have sold if you could have reviewed it back then!

[@mdshonkkc]

I love the tone of the horn. It's like a proper British “How do you do?”.

[@davidjones332]

I suspect it may have two horns. A lot of upper-end cars at this time had a pair of horns which were tuned to give a musical note, unlike the impertinent beep of cheaper cars.

[@patagualianmostly7437]

@@davidjones332 Indeed they did.... They would even be identified with "H" or "L" .on them...High-Low Tone.... the combination sounded so much better. (Slightly more "upper-class" doncha know!)

[@rossbolton9966]

Thanks for the interesting video, reminds me of my Dads 3 litre Austin Westminster which was very like your Wolseley just a bit bigger with steeriing column change, overdrive, twin SU carbs, wooden dashboard. He owned it from new in 1961 and had it for 11years. Rgds

[@johnjtm1097]

Always had a soft spot for the Farina styled cars. This one is a real beauty.

[@philmiller8001]

Thanks for doing this video, it brought back such happy memories of our 1966 model, that we owned in 1974. In it's day it was a very classy car!

[@julianlyons711]

Always good content and impressed the variety of cars you get hold of .. great stuff

[@jb3222]

An excellently presented video on a beautiful survivor. I uncle's 1964 example with its two-tone (blue and cream) paintwork and high-gloss fascia always seemed the last word in luxury to those of us in an Austin 1100. I agree with you about the dash in this one!

[@RobertHaynes-kw2sk]

There were three 16/60s in our local taxi fleet between 1971 and 1978, all 1968 registered. I have since seen a much older Wolseley based in my local area, a 15/50 which is as old as I am apparently. Six days and counting to when I get to next meet you and Freddie at the NEC. Great to see some of my favourite cars in your back catalogue.

[@parkdigwig3447]

I have an A60 and they are fantastic cars. I’ve had A55 Mk2’s, Sprites, A30’s, Gipsy…and my first car was a 1972 Mini. I’ve had a lot of cars but the Farina cars are my fav’

[@alancoomes2797]

I have both an A60 and A55Ii, I'm 6'2" no headroom issues. Great load lugers.

[@peterdenney5701]

My father owned a wolseley. We went touring in it through Europe in the sixties and early seventies. He was particularly pleased with the cruise control whilst driving on the autobahn, absolute luxury....

[@tonygiraldes7848]

Yet another professional and thorough review 🙂 just the greatest content and Creator ♥️

[@johnmontgomery9149]

Excellent review of an excellent car Steph 👍🏻

[@Fintoman]

My Dad had a 1964 16/60 with the auto box. First car I ever drove on my own after passing my test. What it feeling it was.😊

[@alanmcdonald7390]

I forgot about these! This shape was still common my seen in the 80s.

[@MarckKnitwear]

Great memories as a child this was my dads first car and many long journeys to Cornwall in the 70s.I actually thought the car was old fashioned back in the day it eventually was replaced with a ford cortina. Happy Days!!!

[@idriveaclassic]

Very cool! Love little stories like that

[@davidbarnes7]

Hi Steph! I've been watching your vids for a while now, really enjoy them. You certainly get to drive some wonderful cars! Your enthusiasm shows all the time, and I like the way you present things. Great stuff!! Kind regards Dave from Southend on Sea.

[@kevintookey2469]

Lovely model and in great condition I had a riley 4/72 fantastic farinas

[@busterboy7505]

Thanks Steph, don’t really remember these old wolseleys, morris oxfords and Cambridge is what I remember, I used to own one of them can’t remember which one, and when you were talking about rustproofing that was my very first job when I left school, I did it for about three years and paint protection called armaglazing and that was a long long time ago, thanks again for sharing your video,👍👍❤️.

[@PGPyramid1]

You could get more than one body in that boot, and very easily too! Great video as always, thank you.

[@brucemay5409]

They were a lovely old solid range the 1.6 Farinas.The Wolseley 16/60 and Riley4/72 were my favorites especially the Duo-tone paint models..

[@alanmorgan5384]

Great video Steph, takes me back to when my Dad had a Wolseley 16/60 I started to learn to drive in it. Wonderful memories.

[@allanliversidge9827]

Wolseley was one of my favourite British cars. Specially liked 24/80.

[@richardhudson8574]

Heater controls are MGB, another great video review

[@Eric_L456]

My Dad had a 62 Morris Oxford in Rose Taupe , mechanically the same as the Wolseley with a cheaper interior. First car I remember travelling in . Brings back memories from the 60s ❤

[@imSatnav]

Yes, cheaper interior but still better than the Austin Cambridge. Dad had a Green Oxford in the 60s: 72 GPY. Lovely relaxed drive.

[@tonydry8189]

excellent trip back down memory lane...enjoy the video contents and your easy going style of talking about these lovely old cars....thank you Steph..

[@caw25sha]

I know exactly what you mean about the dashboard. It looks very spartan as if they were being stingy with the instruments and controls. The actual dashboard itself appears to be varnished wood but the varnish has deteriorated. My mum's Triumph 2000 went a bit like that, cracked and discoloured. Stripping it off and re-varnishing might be a big improvement.

[@idriveaclassic]

Yes! It’s just a bit ‘meh’. Gimme some chrome and pizazz.

[@jonnycando]

If we could have gotten these in the US, folks would have thought Rolls Royce was offering smaller cars. It is a lovely thing!

[@bigjohno242]

I’d absolutely love one of these .

[@johnoksys7713]

I love your videos Steph & the variety of vehicles you drive & your enthusiasm towards the vehicles always a entertaining video

[@simonhodgetts6530]

I once had a ride in one of these - a distant, elderly relative owned one - would have been the late 70s. I remember how luxurious the interior felt with its leather seats and wood dash- a world away from the black vinyl of our mk3 Cortina! I notice that illuminated ‘radiator’ badges have become a ‘thing’ on a number of EVs……..

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Thanks for this look at the 16/60. This did remind me of my Dad's Westminster, but I think that was a much bigger car.

[@patagualianmostly7437]

Wasn't the Westminster a 6 cylinder car......3.0 litre? And I think a larger car as you say. My boss had one to tow his F1 stock car. Happy days indeed!

[@davidpeters6536]

My Dad (6ft) had one of these in two tone OE White/Duck Egg Blue with matching leather and wallnut dash. We drove to Northern Spain (Costa Brava) from north east England when it was just run-in which must have been in about 1966. A great car that replaced new Morris Oxford (written off by a dockside crane). I washed it on Sunday mornings. It was followed by a Triumph 2000 Mk2 which we took to Southern Spain (Costa Del Sol) in 1971.

[@Mr-millen]

They were a brilliant banger car and I’ve raced loads of them 👍 I’ve got an Austin Cambridge and rover P5B on the road now

[@Mick-67]

Bangers!

[@mikecleasby709]

Hmmm 🤔 a nice stablemate for Sybil….. great review as always! Thanks Steph! ❤

[@greatunwashed1856]

I drove the 15/60, only difference raised tail fins , I loved that car.

[@francisdoss8642]

Thank you Steph, for taking us along on your journey in the 1970 Wolseley 16/60: beautiful car and beautiful surroundings...Still have Dad's 1978 Indian Premier Padmini (after the FIAT) in wonderful roadworthy condition...Enjoy driving her early in the morning...as there are less road-bullies at that time...Merry Christmas Season...🎄

[@brianwillis9673]

My best friends mum had one of these and this would have been about 1970 as it was a G reg. She was quite a tall woman as I recall so I can understand her choice. Only went in it a couple of times, but it was very pleasant although I do recall sliding about on the back seat every time we went round a corner!

[@zingo2664]

beautiful car ! , great to see you driving the wolseley on the open road !! wonderful 💗

[@mijbil99]

Had one of these in the late seventies with the auto box, which failed and I had it converted to manual . loved it

[@richardwells1709]

My Dad had one of these lovely cars Me and my three sisters travelled many miles pearched on the rear bench seat. No seat belts!

[@markshrimpton3138]

How we survived in one piece I never know.

[@lexvanessen4006]

The car is very well presented, well done! As an owner of a 16/60 I instantly noticed that the steering wheel is fitted upside down. I converted mine with an auto box. First gear is very, very short and the automatic transmission pulls the car decently through. The 70 & 71 have ambla seats, which withstand aging very well.

[@fepatton]

Wow, what a wonderful car! This one’s new to me. Ive never seen one in the US. It looks great and sounds perfect. Love your presentation style, too! 😊

[@bobgodwin9927]

Great review as always

[@Visionery1]

I almost bought one of these in my 20s back in the early 80s. My dad had owned two Austin Westminsters, so I was also familiar with the 16/60 and the bigger 6/110. Nice, solid cars.

[@barbaraneville5036]

Lovely car & I recognise the road 🙂 Driven along there many times over the last 50 odd years

[@stuartdavies5191]

Another great video. Many Thanks Steph !

[@davidtomlinsom3369]

What a nice car I love these

[@timcarpenter2441]

Friend of mine had one in midnight blue. We called it the Ballseley. Crossply tyres too - they would hiss as the car slid around corners. It was comfortable as a passenger, and warm in the winter.

[@EddInLancs01]

Wow! This brings back childhood memories. I commented on your Standard 10 video on how my dad had a Standard 8 as his first car. His second car was a Wolseley 15/60, so very similar to this 16/60.

[@idriveaclassic]

Wow he jumped up there from a standard to a Wolseley. He must’ve felt so posh ☺️

[@EddInLancs01]

@idriveaclassic Oh yes! As a child, I remember being wowed by the light up badge on the radiator grille. To a little me it was the best thing ever. 😊

[@martianmusic1]

I'd have one tomorrow if my garage was four inches longer. With a workbench at one end, I can just squeeze in my Landcrab. Great video Steph.

[@sydsvids2019]

Lovely car, great review, thanks!!

[@alanmeacock7392]

Alan? Used to seeing these in old movies as chief inspectors car of choice with a lucky up front driving! Great asessment thanks.

[@garywalker3818]

yes thay are good as i got a 1970 one had about 15 month great blog Gary from Crewe

[@michaeltreadwell777]

Hi Steph, when I was at School in the mid 60s, 2 female teachers had these cars. One in a two tone beige and brown, and one in a pale turquoise. As I think of it, all the teachers drove BMC cars, so I think they must have got some sort of concession on them. One had an Austin A55 big fin, two had Morris Minors, two had Mini's and one had a Riley 1.5. The other teacher had a Bedford Dormobile - obviously not a BMC. A lovely car there, full of grace, and plenty of room. Thanks for taking us along - looking forward to the A60 Video !!!!! Take care 🙂

[@christanner8104]

Takes me back. My dad had the 1500cc version (not sure if it was a 15/60 or 15/50). Gunmetal grey with red upholstery. I remember the rear light clusters were different to the 16/60, more pointed at the top. Brilliant video.

[@ThePolaroid669]

Amazing british car! And an awesome video (as always)!

[@michaeltutty1540]

As always, Steph, looking beautiful and as informative and full of inspiration and information as anyone could want. Keep up the good work. I have loved the Farina cars since they were new. My first car was nearly the Austin version, a A60 Cambridge from 67. Unfortunately the rot was terminal. The frame would have needed replacing, as it was too far gone to repair. Both the 4 cylinder and the larger 6 cylinder cars were stunning. Someday just maybe I will get one. We did not get the Wolseley here, but the less expensive Austin Cambridge did have a heater as standard as was the laminated front screen. All other glass was tempered. All were required by law in order for the car up be offered for sale. By 1969, dual circuit brakes and head restraints, not to mention front lap and shoulder belts were required here, too. The price point of the Cambridge because of import duties, meant it was competing against larger, roomier, and even fancier cars, so sales were very low. The couple who wanted to give me theirs had downsized to it from a Packard Clipper that was also sinking into the mud of their back garden. That one came out in pieces! The autobox here in Canada was a 2 speed unit, I think made by Borg Warner. It was dreadfully slow. I did have a chance to drive a Cambridge with it, and I was glad that I had not tried to live with the other one. I would have needed to swap in the drivetrain from an MGB to make it a safe and reasonable proposition. Brakes off the B as well.

[@michaeltutty1540]

The front seats adjust back and forth on sloped rails. As the seat goes back it lowers. I'm 6'2" and had no issue behind the wheel of the A60. I fit quite well. It is sad to see the checking in that dash. It needs a refinish. Strip down with varsol and 0000 steel wool, correct varnish and it will match the caps in the door cards. One thing it definitely will need for proper night driving is a pair of Hella Night Vision headlamps. A simple bolt in upgrade that is well worth it. A stronger alternator from an MGB would not go astray. Experience taught me the 2 speed autobox available here was deadly, dangerously slow. Love to get Tim at Cambrian Classics to upgrade the B Series to full 2 litre as he did in an MGB. Looks and sounds stock, drives easily in modern traffic. Backed up by a 4 speed with overdrive MGB box. That would start to get fun!

[@michaeltutty1540]

It is interesting the differences you are pointing out between the A60 and the 16/60. Interesting because year for year, the bodies are identical. The trim is different, but the sheet metal is identical. The seats in this are the same as my A60, but they were vinyl rather than leather. The dash top and gauges were the same. Even the turn signal lever was the same. The differences seem to be perception, possibly condition and tuning, and the variations one example to another after 50 years of use and restoration.

[@idriveaclassic]

@michaeltutty1540 the two I compared weren’t the same age x

[@Schocher1901]

Great car, great presentation

[@tonycox5625]

My brother - in - law had one in two tone green back in the late 60s, lovely looking car.👍

[@frankkemble2103]

My mother had the Oxford estate ( same body) and I had a Cambridge. I always fancied the Riley 4/72 but they seem very rare and so might look for a Wolseley. My mother's was fitted with an MGB engine and overdrive box, a genuine 100 mph Oxford. I loved it.