Wolseley 6/99 - a wonderfully British 50s classic car

Wolseley 6/99
The Wolseley 6/99 came in to replace the Wolseley 6/90 and was specced to suit the Wolseley customer who liked the bigger cars in the range.
The car, which hit forecourts in 1959, was a slightly different beast for Wolseley because for over 25 the brand had worked with Morris cars - deriving their cars from their current line up - but for the 6/99, they went with the Austin A99 Westminster shape.
I think the Austin was 10% cheaper - the highs and lows of badge engineering in full swing! In 1959, the car is advertised as being priced at £1,325 - 14 shillings and a tuppence.
Although the A99 was cheaper. There was also the VDP Princess which shared this body shape and that was more costly, which puts this delightful Wolseley we’re testing today squarely in the middle of the price bracket; well, if you’re going for civilian spec of course!
It was specced with the 2.9 litre C-Series six cylinder engine which gave 103bhp and was advertised with a top speed of 98 miles per hour, however, when Autocar put one through its paces in 1959, they managed to get 101 miles per hour.
Gearbox on this one is the Borg-warner auto which would’ve cost extra on a civilian car. On a standard car, you’d get 3 speed Borg-warner column change with overdrive.
You’ll see when we go out driving that this is no speed queen and the 0 to 60 is advertised at 14.4 seconds but Autocar reckoned they got 17.2 seconds with an overall MPG of 17 miles per gallon. Advertised I believe was 19 miles per gallon.
The car also offered Wolseley customers something different with the styling and design because this was the first top Wolseley with a unit-construction Monocoque body chassis coupled with Farina styling.
The car was also fitted with the independent front suspension/live rear axle combo which was expected by Wolseley customers - this was something they’d become accustomed to on the cars and worked well.
I comment on this on test later on, but it pulls up smartly because it’s been designed with discs to front and drums to rear - for those unfamiliar with this era of car - it was commonplace to have drums all round. Heck, there are cars in the 70s still sporting drums all round - so to have discs to front is quite the boon for the driver.
I also bemoan the vague steering later, which although is no worse than a lot of other 60s cars, was something people commented on at the time. It’s a cam and lever system on this.
Being only available for three years on paper, but not quite 36 months, it’s not surprising the production run is low - with just over 13,000 made in the three year life cycle.
The 4 door saloon body shape we’re testing today is the only shape available - being one of the large cars in the range the car was never sold as a two door variant.
The car was replaced by the Wolseley 6/110

[@breathestrongcycling3672]

Why the zipped headlining?...tried google to no avail so can someone enlighten me? i've never seen it before.

[@idriveaclassic]

It’s to get to all the gubbins on the roof, so to maintain it/replace it/etc.

[@breathestrongcycling3672]

@@idriveaclassic Well that was a disappointment, i kinda hoped it was where they stashed the guns for when the bank robbers got nasty! ...maybe i've seen Hot fuzz too many times 😉😆

[@CoastHobbit9340]

German police cars often had metal sliding sunroof options, which were either deactivated or sealed shut, and all the siren and light gubbins were fixed to it - I remember big bulky boxes with blue lights, not the slightest aerodynamic, right up to the 1990s! This made it easier to remove all the police kit and replace with a normal sunroof before selling the cars on when they were decommissioned.

[@keithammleter3824]

@@idriveaclassic I had thought of that, but my wife worked for a company that installed things on the roof of taxis and police cars. Their installers had long mastered the art of doing so and when done, all cables and bolts concealed and absolutely no visible evidence inside the cabin that they had been there - except for the 2-way radio controller neatly installed under or in the dash. The zipper must have been some ignorant chief constable's bright idea.

[@paulcarter2907]

Yes, purely Police specification for access/maintenance to roof mounted equipment...

[@DaveJudd]

Average wage in 1960 was around £750 per year, average house price £2400 so at £1300 that was an expensive car back in its day.

[@idriveaclassic]

Yeah it wasn’t cheap!

[@allandavies9488]

Depends where though. My parents bought a 3 bed semi in 1961 for £1850.

[@andrewhaines3259]

​@@allandavies9488I think, given the choice of buying a house or a car back in 1960, the house would have been the choice. Stupidly, these days, I think some would choose the car over property. Saying that, the price gap between a car and a house has greatly increased since 1960!

[@ianmangham4570]

​@@allandavies9488I recall my parents paying 4k for a 4 bed 🛌 in 71

[@dongeorge4037]

The Wolsely is brilliant and so are you. How enjoyable. How informative.

[@mikewysko2268]

Impressive attention to detail. Finding all of those police items from the 1960s must have been difficult. The car looks perfect. Well done! 👮

[@ulrichmuhlenkamp6351]

Respect for the performance of the British car industry! - often ignored in Germany! +++ Ulrich of Krautmotors

[@gjclark2478]

Strange. I was thinking only yesterday when I first started driving, at night you would always know a wolseley behind you by the light up badge... Not seen one since around 1990. Usually the 16/22 (??) If I remember correctly. I'm 51, passed my test in summer of 90, still love 60's cars, and British motorbikes. But to me, the 70's is my favourite era. The music , cars and bikes were " golden". Cheers Steph, my go-to escape from the bs media of today👏👏

[@idriveaclassic]

I’d take the 70s too as a golden era. I feel like today is all doom, gloom and repeats on telly 😩

[@thevauxhallman7157]

Pure nostalgia, brilliant. This car appears to have the 6/110 engine going by the air intake over the rocker cover. This is one of the best engines ever made. The police loved them. I've currently got a 1973 Daimler Sovereign but I'd still like to have one of these. Thank you Steph.

[@yorkiegilly4355]

A workmate & me bought two Wolseley 6/110 s at a car auction in the early 70s for £90 each ,they had belonged to a funeral directors nearby and needed a couple of jobs ,starter motors were tired and the batteries were shot because of standing ,a couple of tires and the exhausts had a blow ?. But the interior & body were nearly mint being around 40,000 [slow] miles .Real bargains as they were only around 5 years old . We had them for quite a time ,the only thing that suffered were Tires and starter components . Great cars and we always looked out for that funeral parlors sales car that were never sold with a reserve and never needed tons of work. Would have another 6/110 or a Austin Westminster in a shot if I could find a good one at the right price . Another good video ! .

[@brianwillis9673]

Lovely old motor which is more remembered by me from old films rather than seeing them in real life. I love the fact it has big plush leather seats with arm rests and then that utilitarian dashboard.

[@robertp.wainman4094]

Yes - and proper leather seats too, that have worn much better than modern ones ever will!

[@billeves4627]

My parents had a 6/90 in the late 70s. My dad used to say it was one of 3 in Australia. Trafficators, starter crank handle, real wooden dash. I can remember every detail.He still has the grille on display with the lift up cover for the crank handle and the light up grille badge works off a power point.

[@ronkemperful]

I have to confess that as an American that I’ve been very much an Anglophile; and have been fascinated by the cars featured in the old Miss Marple and Perot television series from the 1980s and 90s. In one of episodes a Wolseley police car was used and even mentioned by name. Dying to know more, I was delighted by your video which answered many questions about the car.

[@zurcherzurich213]

Hercule Poirot...

[@D...M...A...]

Nice review Steph , the car and reviewer are lovely ... You look and sound great , hope all is well... Thanks for your diligence and endless effort ... You brighten the world ...

[@idriveaclassic]

Thank you for such a sweet comment x

[@sharkamov]

Moving along from the 'Gong'; *_''God,..._** I love an old horn!''* Stephanie, you're just awesome!💓😉👌

[@TheBasementChannel]

Lovely old Wolseley. I’ve owned a couple of these, ‘62 model year (NZ). The 3sp manual with O/D is a really clever bit of tech. The overdrive would work on 2nd and 3rd and would kick down and change up like an auto which made it very easy to drive around town. It also had the weird side effect of no engine braking when the OD was engaged, which increased the waftiness of the car through town. My starter broke once and I used the crank handle to get her going for a few months while I was searching for another starter. Strange the police ones have stripped out a lot of the nice Wolseley trim from the inside including all the timber trim and dash, they should have probably just used A99s. Thanks for sharing the video, miss my old Wolseleys.

[@foxstrangler]

My father was a police sergeant, and owned one of these as our family car. Lovely walnut dash, and proper door cards with armrests. A 59 model bought in 61 with 14K on the clock. Something that interests me, the car you were driving had an auto box, buy also the 'T' handle under the centre parcel tray for the overdrive selector. I thought only the manual had the overdrive option. Dad sold ours in late 69, at 31K, and within 6 months it had rotted out in all the doors. Good old BMC quality.

[@graemew7001]

Back in the days when 17 mpg didn't matter so much as nobody really drove the mileages we do nowadays. That is such a great representation of the model and so very well maintained, must be an absolute pleasure to waft along in it.

[@auntbarbara5576]

Wow what a special car, a real stunner too, so glad you got your hands on one for us Steph! What a rare treat. Wonderful presentation as always 👍

[@horsenuts1831]

Even when I was growing up in the 1970s, these were already old-fashioned, and rather humdrum in a world that now had Mk3 Cortinas and VW Golfs in primary colours. Because they were so commonplace, it was easy to forget that the original styling was Italian (by Pininfarina), and if you look at it sideways, it can look like a big Italian car of the period. By 1950s standards, it was probably quite a sharp design.

[@danieleregoli812]

Oh what splendid British motorcar with such a dignified line and classy interior. Always had a soft spot for the big Farina saloons, particularly in VdP guise❤ Also, totally untelated, I love your hair darling 👍

[@john_smith1471]

Yes beautiful car styling but this particular police spec interior is quite Spartan compared to the classy, showroom Wolseley civilian interior, but the leather seats look fantastic and an automatic in 1960 would seem like wizardry.

[@DennisMerwood-xk8wp]

Hi from New Zealand Steph. From a 75-year-old bugger who had a Wolseley 1500 many moons ago! With no brakes! LOL

[@hutchcraftcp]

Lovely car. Steph, maybe someday you can find a 1950/60's women's police outfit 😊

[@dieselfunk65]

Great video Steph. Thanks for showing us this lovely Wolseley. I was pulled over by an unusual police car in 1983 when I was only 17, I hadn’t long passed my driving test. I was driving an M reg Hillman Hunter and I was pulled over by a plain, red Capri 2.8 injection that had 2 blue lights in the front grille. Apparently there was also a white one in the Thames Valley area. Different times indeed.

[@paulqueripel3493]

I was given a lift in the back of a police Capri MK2 just after they came out. The back seats were down, mum was squashed between the front seats, my sister and I were under the glass in the boot laying on traffic cones. Then they went back and picked up dad and dropped him off, we'd broken down near Ipswich late at night.

[@dieselfunk65]

Wow that was a very long time ago, that’s a terrible way for a family to travel in car. It was great that the police got you your family home, and they went back to get your dad! now that is service for you lol, but I doubt that they’d do that these days. Fun for you and your sister though 😊

[@007JHS]

Love the chromed bell on the front bumper.

[@spider23000]

Love this car! Thanks for sharing it with us. And you're looking great by the way!

[@johngettins794]

I love Hubnut video (in nz) on the Austin A99 this is a good compliment video, cheers.

[@gazonatrike7005]

incredible, I just made a comment about these and turn on KZbin and there you are with one. Favourite big car of the 60's

[@idriveaclassic]

Haha I’m there listening in 😉

[@karrolsmulovic6596]

My father in law gave us his C reg 6/110 in 1978 when he obtained his new car. Loved the woodwork and leather interior, was a lovely drive with its Borg Warner transmission. Those big bumpers were great, got blocked in a car park by a Mini, no problem pushing it out of the way and no damage to the Min ! Steph, you must have one hell of a wardrobe. Love your reviews of cars of my misspent youth.

[@alexanderhumphrey113]

Lovely old car, the later 6/110 had an uprated engine and slightly more power, have a drive of one if you can, the original Wolseley interiors are beautiful, loads of wood and leather etc, was really pleasantly surprised when I saw your new vid on the Wolseley, keep up the good work

[@rogerburrows2429]

My old dad had a black 6/99(669 RKT) memories are made of this.

[@rev.waynet.oleary7387]

This is a most interesting programe., and great quality. You have a good knack of seamlessly putting the details together to form an absorbing program. Brilliant!

[@markriding1267]

Beautifully turned out,very well presented and the car's not bad either 😉🤗

[@idriveaclassic]

Hahaha. Thanks mark!

[@coenvandenberg863]

Absolutely Lovely! I think that the Vanden Plas variant is the most beautiful car ever!

[@SloopyDog]

They were fantastic. I had a Wolseley 6/80 that belonged to Lanchester police. I loved it It had the look of a Rolls Royce combined with a Morris. In the 60s I had many weird and wonderful cars, the 6/80 was my favourite.

[@anthonytallarida4192]

That was great Steph

[@alanthomas9241]

We had a 6/110 police car in the 60s zip roof lining it was a beauty …. Reg was 795thw it was automatic with a lever to pull to hold in gear I think it was called an intermediate gearbox .I remember Dad bought red carpets to go in it, the dash was walnut I was about 6 years old .

[@michaelstamper5604]

Ello, ello, ello. Wot's goin on ere, then? 😄 Lovely old motor, police car or not. I love the variety in these road test videos. From stuff I remember lusting over when I first passed my test to things that had been and gone before I was born. Always a treat to watch.

[@jamescrainjr1388]

Great review. I love police cars. Steph always looks nice, but that hair down look is the absolute bomb!

[@arthurlockwood8735]

I was a car cleaned in the 70ts. Cleaned. This car many time not this one but the make. And fords and all of the 70ts good cars. Thanks for the. Memory ❤️😍

[@edwardharrington678]

Modern cars are more reliable and fuel efficient but the design of most old cars are excellent. This car looks amazing.

[@musicdpk]

Great video thanks, very well presented. I love these cars in all forms and I’ve owned two A99 Westminsters, one was in NZ in the 70s, the other I’ve had here in Australia for 3 years. The three speed manual was a BMC developed Porsche-designed synchromesh on all forward gears box, with the addition of Borg Warner overdrive

[@Paula-e4h]

My dad one of these and an Oxford lovely cars still remember the smell leather and wood

[@davidmorland4046]

I've ALWAYS LOVED THESE big BMC Farinas all models in this range had such high build quality & this video clip like ALL of your videos is BRILLIANT Steph keep producing these videos they're really GREAT.

[@bazzer621]

In about 1970, we put a 3.8lt Jaguar engine and gearbox in one! Wow, what a machine that was!

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Another Brilliant Video Steph, a lovely looking Wolsley.

[@johndrake2729]

You're looking good, Steph!

[@Beanerds]

My older Brother had one of these with O/Drive and it ate my Mk1 Zephyr for dinner , hell it gave our mates Mk3 Zodiac a run for it's money ,, I have so many fond memories of this car . beautiful . 6 cylinders and 99hp , hence 6/99 , my first car was a Wolseley 4/44 at 15 yrs old ( yes EX police ) in maroon , 4 cylinders and 44HP , yea a cruizer ,

[@zypp33]

Brilliant vid! I love these cars . I really Enjoy your presentation. Keep them coming!

[@oxfamshop]

Love the video . What a great car

[@urismus1121]

Great insight into a pleasant design. Also many happy times watching all those black and white films with mostly the wolseley as the police of the day. It was not the last wolseley to serve with the police. City of London used the later Landcrab 18/85 six based in Woodstreet station c1970. Lledo vanguard produced a diecast model.

[@DeanSinger-ky7md]

watched the old movies, they had a bell ringing sound not a siren sounding noise - powerful engines !

[@john_smith1471]

Yes definitely an (electric) bell, a brief demo heard, I’m not sure why Steph calls it a gong, which I associate with the old style guest house owner sounding a gong when the evening meal is ready.

[@stephenricketts7764]

Lovely old car and looks to be in really good condition. It must have been fun putting all the equipment together. Thanks Steph for another great review. 👍👍

[@Richard-e7j]

Great video, remember these well I had a 4ltr vanden plas model which I'm sure was based on that body style correct me if I'm wrong, the car rotted out but I still have the rolls engine and a very nice front seat in grey leather, I like your marina videos too, keep it up👍

[@JSDesign.Hongkong]

Another brilliant presentation, Steph and the car are right out of an episode of Gideon’s Way! Great fun.

[@johncourtneidge]

Thank-you.

[@johnkeen2345]

Come on Steph, I was waiting for you to use the gong/bell on the cyclist at 20:46. 🙂

[@deanosaur808]

Me too 🤣

[@loraineh3414]

Yes Steph, can't beat an 'old horn' 😅😂!!!!! Brilliant video as always ❤

[@idriveaclassic]

Haha thanks lovely xx

[@paulripley2178]

A great vid Steph- you are getting better and better. AND slimmer and slimmer!

[@stephencrossman9402]

Fab vid as always Steph camera work was fine without your gimbal. Beautiful old police car I can see why she got loads of admiring glances.

[@grisgrismck]

The movement of the hand held camera during the driving segment was a plus. It gave me as sense of what it would actually feel like to be there in the back seat.

[@IanLawrie-l9q]

Splendid video, I have oft heard you mention “brand engineering” and not given it much thought, I noticed on the front wing the same deco style wing and line in chime relief just as was on my dad’s Austin Westminster. I think there is a similarity in the front generally too. 👍👏👌

[@grayfool]

Another great video Steph. Wonderful ol' girl. The car, that is. Ooops, sorry.😇

[@richardarcher3435]

Great car Steph but wait a minute, did you tell us what the zip was for in the roof headlining? I'm intrigued.

[@ged3680]

@@a1c3c3uOne for the driver and one for the operator. There were still two mirrors in the traffic cars I drove when I retired in 2016. The zip would allow access to the underside of the roof for electrical cables. Ged

[@choryferguson2196]

Thanks for this, Steph. Was in SUCH a funk this morning, but spending a little time with you in an amazing vintage car can always calm me down.

[@terryroberts505]

I was pulled over one late night in Hornchurch in 1980 I was in a rover p6 they was in a unmarked Hillman hunter and in plain clothes they used the 🔔 bell to pull me over I was going home and saw my next door neighbour walking home so give him a lift and he was known to the police as they know is name ask if he was keeping out of trouble the police did know there Crookes in them days.

[@idriveaclassic]

Police actually used to have a grip. It’s sad how underfunding and soft punishments for often serious crimes has ruined that. Ooohhh sorry to get political 😬

[@m3cvfm]

They used them as Q cars ,with twin40 dco Weber's.

[@troo_story]

wtf is a crooke? 🙄

[@idriveaclassic]

@@troo_story some people struggle with spelling. We know what Terry means. It’s not nice to point out faults in others where they may not be able to help it (especially with things like dyslexia!)

[@michaelguerin56]

I second that. My mother started out as a teacher. She also did what is sometimes called reading recovery work, helping one student at a time to improve their reading.

[@davidevans4089]

Nice review of a great car, my Late father had a Wolseley a 1500 model if memory serves me. As ever you are dressed for the part.

[@idriveaclassic]

Thanks David! It’s a new dress

[@bobspeller2225]

Nice report Officer

[@Vince_uk]

Great Car, great video. Always good Steph and I mean always.

[@idriveaclassic]

Ahh Vince you’re too kind. Thank you for being so supportive x

[@k9nick]

Dad had a princess. My god, we had that torch too.

[@johndrake2729]

A classic luxury car shape with a bare bones interior. Interesting.

[@DanTheManIOM]

certainly interesting

[@michaelstaunton1632]

Best of luck with everything as always 👍👍👍

[@justinlambert1324]

Very nice! The car is ok too 😊 hope you are well Steph.

[@raymondg6823]

You're looking great Steph, that car suits you so much, the horn button coordinates well with your cutex nail care.

[@colinmew7139]

My father had a 6/99 auto down by the floor there was a pull leaver that was for gear hold and was useful when towing a caravan

[@john_smith1471]

Interesting review, a very nice Wolseley car, that is a Winkworth bell on the front, you can see the Winkworth name cast in the chrome, an external demonstration would have been nice, I always associate a gong with the J Arthur Rank logo at the start of their films.

[@RoyCousins]

Interesting car and another great review from our favourite CarTuber. 😎

[@michaelhorner2722]

Nice to have a ride in a Police car on screen 🙂 Great video ......as usual.

[@ianmangham4570]

The most beautiful 6/110 engine everyone left alone because it never failed 😅and with 120 horse's and 160flb of torque she didn't hang around 🤟🇬🇧

[@muckle8]

One of my biggest regrets motoring wise was not buying a wolseley 6/110 that was offered to me back in the early 90’s , it was mint condition and in maroon , loved the BMC offerings.

[@compo308]

Great video Steph! Love the indicator switch on the steering wheel.

[@JimTimber]

Wonderful !! It's in beautiful concours condition !! Wonderful review ! All I could think of when I first saw this vehicle was the phrase 'Your'e nicked me old beauty !' 😁

[@idriveaclassic]

Hahaha. Love it. She is indeed in fine condition. Andrew really cherishes her.

[@m3cvfm]

I use to have a Pye Vanguard. Boot mount am using a Qqvo 640 am as the output valve.

[@anair70]

Published 4 mins ago and already 4 likes . .on a 20something minutes long video. People just 'know' they're gonna love the video (me included!).

[@idriveaclassic]

Haha. It’s a great survivor 😂

[@rover100bunson]

dad had the vanden plas, manual, beautiful car

[@rocketsock4297]

Wow! Beautiful and super interesting car Steph!

[@drwho534]

Another unique ride with Steph....felt like a criminal being driven to the police station having just robbed a bank! 😉

[@TheCleanersCupboard]

Believe it or not, the gong actually lasted until well into the 80’s on some police vehicles in the Met. I know the station vans and some unmarked Q-cars certainly still came equipped with a gong. I was in the Met back in the 2000’s and there were still a few older colleagues that spoke highly of the big Farina’s and the fun of trying to get through London traffic at speed with the gong clanging away

[@Bmovie5000]

I’d love if you could review an Austin A99 Westminster. My father bought one new in 61 and it remained in the family until the mid 1980’s. It was an exceptionally rare car in Canada and you could always tell when it returning home in the neighbourhood, even at a distance from the distinctive Borg Warner transmission whine.

[@captaintorch983]

Sorry to hear about your wobbly gimbal Steph. The rest of you looks pretty good!!

[@christopherdaly9384]

😂

[@SimonHoning]

She's looking absolutely lovely.I think you've reached the top of your game with this one,Steph.Most interesting review- dont pay any attention to some of these losers.

[@tancreddehauteville764]

Essex bird and classic car - great combination! 😀

[@davidforster8654]

My old friend has his original 6/90 from new with 67k original miles, complete with manual/overdrive....would be good to get both these cars beside each other. The 6/90 resides in Norfolk.

[@dennisrobinson7587]

They were an elegant looking car in there day,and still are.

[@peterhayward1848]

Great video. Brought back lots of memories from working in the car trade from the 60's to the 90's. One point is the second L in Wolseley is silent.

[@robbierobson3251]

No it isn't! It is just that most people are lazy and mispronounce it as "Wolsey".

[@minimaxi802]

The big brother of the BMC Farina range that was the Austin Cambridge, Morris Oxford, MG Magnette, Wolseley and Riley, the early cars with bigger tail fins. Don't think there was a Riley version of the Austin Westminster/ Wolseley 6/99. The smallest Wolseley at the time was the Mini based Hornet.

[@peterduxbury927]

What about the Princess Vanden Plas, and Vanden Plas R? Does this car not share the same basic body variations of those which you mentioned. The Austin Westminster / Wolseley 6/99. All x 3 variations look mighty similar to me. Greetings from Australia.

[@lionelhargrave665]

If iremember I owned the 680 and the model after was the 690

[@MrRocketguitar]

Great and informative video

[@a11csc]

the stuff boyhood dreams were made of steph

[@DrivermanO]

Wolseley started out making bicycles. The builders merchants Wolseley was also owned by the same company!

[@mentonish]

Thanks for a great review, this brings back some happy memories from the police driving school

[@williamhumberhawk8187]

Very nice. I like these and the Vanden Plas Princess

[@antonymorris7044]

She's a big car .we've moved on alot with police cars.great video ,ur hair looks nice x

[@NOWThatsRichy]

Superb drive! Real solid car!

[@allanmollison6971]

One of the nicest police cars. Your hair looks really nice like that Steph. 😊👍

[@idriveaclassic]

Thank you!

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Yes, agreed - it does!