The Wolseley 1500

The Wolseley 1500 appeared in 1957 alongside the mechanically similar (but faster) Riley 1.5.

It was powered by the BMC 1489 cc B series engine which developed 50 bhp. The 1500 was capable of a top speed of 76 mph.

Developed from project DO1058, a projected replacement for the Morris Minor, it used the Minor’s floor pan and suspension layout. In the end, only Wolseley and Riley versions were released in the UK, although in Australia it was also released as both as the Austin Lancer and Morris Major.

The 1500 had the traditional Wolseley grille and badge and was tastefully trimmed in leather and wood, in keeping with Wolseley tradition. The Autocar commented that "we have resignedly been accustomed for so long to undergeared British cars, that we were amazed to learn that a 3.7:1 axle was fitted, giving a top gear engine speed equivalent to that of many cars in overdrive top, with the resultant 'seven league boots high speed cruising and low rate of engine wear"

In an article in the May 1957 issue of Wheels, the car was described as follows: The new car's engine is the BMC B-type four-cylinder unit of 1489cc, producing a gross 50bhp (43 installed) at 4,200 rpm Maximum torque is 74 lb ft at 3,000 rpm. Transmission is through a four speed gearbox with central remote control lever. Brakes are Lockheed hydraulic, with larger drums at the front than at the rear. The unit body-chassis structure is entirely new. It ranks as a four-seater, with two comfortable front seats, which are separately adjustable, and two rear seats, which are more roomy than those on the average baby car, but which still impose some limitations on head and knee room. At the rear is a useful luggage-locker with 10cu. ft. of space. The spare wheel is carried in a separate compartment underneath, and alongside it lies the 7 gallon fuel tank. Interior trim is in usual Wolseley custom style, with two-tone leather upholstery over foam rubber overlays and walnut for facia and door cappings. Front suspension is similar in design to the very successful type used on the Morris Minor Its upper radius arm pivots on a piston type shock absorber, while the lower arm, splined to a longitudinal torsion bar, is braced against brake torque by a diagonal stay. The rack and pinion steering gear is attached to the underside of the toe board. Rear springs are seven blade half elliptics, and there is a rear anti-roll bar. Rear dampers are piston-type mounted on the axle, as on the Morris Minor.. The engine has steel backed lead indium bearings, and a renewable full flow oil filter. Cooling is pressurised, with pump, fan, and thermo. Fuel is supplied by a pusher-type SU electric pump positioned in the luggage locker. Grouped on the walnut facia are a speedometer with trip and total mileage recorders, a fuel gauge, oil pressure gauge, and engine thermometer. All doors have winding windows, and those at the front have swivelling ventilation panes. Both front doors have both armrests and grab handles, while on the rear doors, armrests perform the dual function. There are ashtrays in each front door, and there is one on the central tunnel for rear seat occupants. All doors have external push-button latches, and both front doors can be-locked from inside or outside. There is a choice of 13 colours, including seven two colour combinations.

A 1200cc version of the Wolseley 1500 was also available for a time in Ireland.

For its day it had a high power-to-weight ratio and factory publicity material described it as “a compact car with high performance” that was “beautifully styled” “realistically priced” and “brilliantly engineered”.

The 1500 was discontinued in 1965 with the introduction of the 1100.

Specifications of the Wolseley 1500