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.
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💝
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.
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!
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.
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.
@@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...
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.
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. 😊
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.
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 .
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!
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 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,
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.
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.
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.
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)
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’
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 ❤
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...
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.
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.
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.
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,👍👍❤️.
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.
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.
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....
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
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!!!
I had a 1965 Mk2 Wolseley 24/80 which was my mother's car but my father was going through a bit of a financial bad patch and could not pay me back some money he owed me so I demanded the car in lieu of payment. I already had a Capri V6 at the time (early 1970s) but a debt is a debt I guess. And my father was too much the gentleman who should have told his brat son where to get off. Anyway, the 24/80 was the Australianised version of the 16/60 but had the exclusive to Australia 2.4 litre Blue Streak 6. This was the 1622 B series with 2 additional cylinders and was quite a good engine. It had no trouble handling the Borg Warner 35 auto. Timber interior was magic, well up to Jaguar standards. My only complaint was the drum brakes which in 65 should really have been front discs. These cars nowadays would make excellent classic vehicles. Thanks for the review, Steph, which aroused fond memories as well a good bit of guilt.
Interesting! Do you remember why they stopped at only 80bhp? Could have been a bit more (perhaps the chassis were not quite up to so much more) with a 2.4 six !
@@adama8570 The Mk2 had 85 bhp. It cruised well and could keep up with the local Holden/ Falcon sixes although only a 3 speed auto. The track was too narrow to really exploit the car's potential.
@@gregscally5119 Obviously not intended to be a high performance version so more torque combined with an auto box did make sense at the time. One explanation for not reaching wider markets were if I remember rightly that it would have been too near the price of a 6/110. Also limited production capacity could have been an issue but some BMC people thought at the time it would have strengthened the Wolseley identity in some markets.
So your dad owed you some money and although having a nice car of your own you made him take your mothers car from her so that you could have a car that you did not need and your mother had to walk to the shops but ha ho you got one back at your dad not much of a sun inn my eyes.
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.
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.
@@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!)
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.
Brilliant review of a much under-represented but very capable and affordable classic (as are all the big Farinas). Comfortable and easy to drive (though right hand handbrake takes a bit of time to get used to). Easy to work on as well. Keep flying the flag for unexceptionals 👍. Love the series of videos on maintaining and repairing the Standard as well - more of the same please!
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!
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!
My Dad had one of these in two tone OE White/Duck Egg Blue with matching leather. We drove to Northern Spain (Costa Brava) from north east England when it was just run-in which must have been in about 1966. Great car that had replaced a new Morris Oxford that got written off by a dockside crane.
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 🙂
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.
BMC Farina, my father owned a Austin cambridge A55 mk2 Farina same type of bodywork lovely vehicles , my father's Austin had the B series Engine but wasn't 1622cc it was 1489cc .
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……..
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.
Lovely old car this one. When I first looked at it I thought it was black but then as you moved around it became clear that brown was the colour. That may have been a preconception (black) as these were used by the UK police (and previous models). You can see them in old films driving up to the camera with the Wolseley badge glowing. I have to agree with you on the dashboard, not the best looking thing in an old car and kind of lets it down a bit. Anyway a great review Steph thank you for bringing it to us. 👍👍
If you look at the engine bay in the video, you can clearly see there is ample room for a straight 6....Much more logical for Australian long haul journeys.
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.
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!
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.
Fantastic car, the BMC Farina it’s one of those cars you could get in and you would know you would get there and back with with no problem . Owned a few MOE 600F A60 Cambridge, KFF 572 Mk2 Cambridge, DNT 133C Wolseley 6/100 and many more that I’ve forgotten.
simply wonderful the lovely Wolseley 16/60 wonderful car and another rear one is the MG version only ever seen one in a magazine or book's but never in the metal.
I had the a60 loved it, carried my rather heavy work 'stuff' in it went on jollies too. Me grandad had the Wolseley when I was a nipper remember the monkeys sliding on it at Whipsnade.
Dad bought one of these when we came on vacation in 1979. It was a better deal than hiring for 2 months. I drove for about 10 minutes, then told dad he could do all the driving. I found British roads a bit terrifying , they have traffic.
Both my Uncles of my father’s side had variations of the farina cars. Interestingly , they seemed to have the same cars throughout their driving life. I first remember them both having pre farina Austin/ Morris cars , then one had the Farina Morris Oxford , the other, the Riley variation. They then went on to both having Mk2 Humber Sceptres both 1725cc models .
Always thought of them as an old man's car, but now as an old man... 😂
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.
A lovely comment.
Me too. Definitely. At 52 it makes perfect sense as a classic saloon for a sedate weekend outing❤
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.
@jomaoliveira7949 A Wolseley Hornet too staid then ?
I wish there was smell-o-vision. These old cars smell so good
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
Enjoy your content Steph your knowledge to hell with the naysayers thanks for your time
Wow , 54 years old! That interior looks so comfortable and inviting.
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💝
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
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.
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!
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.
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.
@@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...
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.
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. 😊
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.
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 .
Absolutely lovely, Steph. Please keep going, and cheers from your personal fan club in Austria! 😎
Thank you! Will do!
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!
Another life improving video from my favourite old car fanatic. Thank you!
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.!
Oh gawd 😂
@@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,
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.
Great video Steph by the way you look great
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.
Yes whoever it was was appalling and didn’t even have the courage to identify himself.
@@markshrimpton3138 ....or "herself"....One never knows these days!
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.
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)
Great value for money, elegant, sober, soothing. The recipe for failure in this mad world!
The most handsome of the Farina Saloons. Gorgeous front.
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!
Wonderful Steph, simply wonderful and terrific example of the model.
Another well detailed classical review and enjoyable drive with Steph! Thanks for taking us along for the ride.
Another excellent old car review. Love your channel. You are a very gifted and entertaining presenter, Steph!
Always good content and impressed the variety of cars you get hold of .. great stuff
What a great car in superb condition.
Yes indeed!
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’
Great car , Great show ❤
Great, interesting review as usual, Steph. Stylish reviewing, thank you
My pleasure!
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 ❤
Yes, cheaper interior but still better than the Austin Cambridge.
Dad had a Green Oxford in the 60s: 72 GPY. Lovely relaxed drive.
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...
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.
Lovely car
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.
Yes! It’s just a bit ‘meh’. Gimme some chrome and pizazz.
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.
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.😊
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,👍👍❤️.
I have both an A60 and A55Ii, I'm 6'2" no headroom issues. Great load lugers.
Thanks Stef for the review. I always loved the look of the Wolseley but never owned one.
Excellent review of an excellent car Steph 👍🏻
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.
In Australia BMC took the 16/60 and added two cylinders and created the 24/80
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.
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....
Used to love these, beautiful and wolseley refinements. Used to be a beauty in east fortune car museum!
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
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
Bangers!
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!!!
Very cool! Love little stories like that
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! 😊
I forgot about these! This shape was still common my seen in the 80s.
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..
I had a 1965 Mk2 Wolseley 24/80 which was my mother's car but my father was going through a bit of a financial bad patch and could not pay me back some money he owed me so I demanded the car in lieu of payment. I already had a Capri V6 at the time (early 1970s) but a debt is a debt I guess. And my father was too much the gentleman who should have told his brat son where to get off. Anyway, the 24/80 was the Australianised version of the 16/60 but had the exclusive to Australia 2.4 litre Blue Streak 6. This was the 1622 B series with 2 additional cylinders and was quite a good engine. It had no trouble handling the Borg Warner 35 auto. Timber interior was magic, well up to Jaguar standards. My only complaint was the drum brakes which in 65 should really have been front discs. These cars nowadays would make excellent classic vehicles. Thanks for the review, Steph, which aroused fond memories as well a good bit of guilt.
Interesting! Do you remember why they stopped at only 80bhp? Could have been a bit more (perhaps the chassis were not quite up to so much more) with a 2.4 six !
@@adama8570 The Mk2 had 85 bhp. It cruised well and could keep up with the local Holden/ Falcon sixes although only a 3 speed auto. The track was too narrow to really exploit the car's potential.
@@gregscally5119 Obviously not intended to be a high performance version so more torque combined with an auto box did make sense at the time. One explanation for not reaching wider markets were if I remember rightly that it would have been too near the price of a 6/110. Also limited production capacity could have been an issue but some BMC people thought at the time it would have strengthened the Wolseley identity in some markets.
So your dad owed you some money and although having a nice car of your own you made him take your mothers car from her so that you could have a car that you did not need and your mother had to walk to the shops but ha ho you got one back at your dad not much of a sun inn my eyes.
@@weaton25 Perhaps not. My old man was a tough bastard and so am I. Mum eventually got a nice little Escort.
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.
Hmmm 🤔 a nice stablemate for Sybil….. great review as always! Thanks Steph! ❤
I love the tone of the horn. It's like a proper British “How do you do?”.
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.
@@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!)
Lovely model and in great condition I had a riley 4/72 fantastic farinas
Yet another professional and thorough review 🙂 just the greatest content and Creator ♥️
Lovely car & I recognise the road 🙂 Driven along there many times over the last 50 odd years
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.
Brilliant review of a much under-represented but very capable and affordable classic (as are all the big Farinas). Comfortable and easy to drive (though right hand handbrake takes a bit of time to get used to). Easy to work on as well. Keep flying the flag for unexceptionals 👍. Love the series of videos on maintaining and repairing the Standard as well - more of the same please!
Another great video. Many Thanks Steph !
Always had a soft spot for the Farina styled cars. This one is a real beauty.
Alan?
Used to seeing these in old movies as chief inspectors car of choice with a lucky up front driving! Great asessment thanks.
Had one of these in the late seventies with the auto box, which failed and I had it converted to manual . loved it
yes thay are good as i got a 1970 one had about 15 month great blog Gary from Crewe
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.
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!
Wolseley was one of my favourite British cars. Specially liked 24/80.
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!
Great review, lovely car but a word of warning; these cars get stolen by banger racers so you need to be very hot on aftermarket security.
Steph, the heater controls are off an MGB, a car from my childhood. As you state a BMC parts special.
My Dad had one of these in two tone OE White/Duck Egg Blue with matching leather. We drove to Northern Spain (Costa Brava) from north east England when it was just run-in which must have been in about 1966. Great car that had replaced a new Morris Oxford that got written off by a dockside crane.
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.
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!
How we survived in one piece I never know.
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 🙂
I’d absolutely love one of these .
In Australia, this car was up-engined as the 24/80 model, with a 2.4L six cylinder engine.
My brother - in - law had one in two tone green back in the late 60s, lovely looking car.👍
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.
BMC Farina, my father owned a Austin cambridge A55 mk2 Farina same type of bodywork lovely vehicles , my father's Austin had the B series Engine but wasn't 1622cc it was 1489cc .
Beautiful car. Love the show, wish it was on the BBC.
I’m glad it’s not on the BBC as they’d ruin it. Steph’s presentation and style is all her own.
Steph would lose all control over the content & format. Please stay true to what you do 💖
@@mikebe2090 Obviously it would have to be the same content and format, otherwise it wouldn't be the same show.
BMC cars have a certain something.
Underappreciated, though.
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……..
Very nice car. We got the 24/80 model, here in Australia, with the ‘Blue Streak’ 6 cylinder. My first car, in 1975, was a 24/80 MKI auto.
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.
Wow he jumped up there from a standard to a Wolseley. He must’ve felt so posh ☺️
@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. 😊
Lovely old car this one. When I first looked at it I thought it was black but then as you moved around it became clear that brown was the colour. That may have been a preconception (black) as these were used by the UK police (and previous models). You can see them in old films driving up to the camera with the Wolseley badge glowing. I have to agree with you on the dashboard, not the best looking thing in an old car and kind of lets it down a bit. Anyway a great review Steph thank you for bringing it to us. 👍👍
IN australia we got these with 6 cyd engine ,called a 24/80
If you look at the engine bay in the video, you can clearly see there is ample room for a straight 6....Much more logical for Australian long haul journeys.
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.
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!
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.
@michaeltutty1540 the two I compared weren’t the same age x
Didn’t go through all comments and not watched right through yet , as an oldie I remember these being used by the police a lot.
I drove the 15/60, only difference raised tail fins , I loved that car.
Fantastic car, the BMC Farina it’s one of those cars you could get in and you would know you would get there and back with with no problem . Owned a few MOE 600F A60 Cambridge, KFF 572 Mk2 Cambridge, DNT 133C Wolseley 6/100 and many more that I’ve forgotten.
simply wonderful the lovely Wolseley 16/60 wonderful car and another rear one is the MG version only ever seen one in a magazine or book's but never in the metal.
What a nice car I love these
I had the a60 loved it, carried my rather heavy work 'stuff' in it went on jollies too. Me grandad had the Wolseley when I was a nipper remember the monkeys sliding on it at Whipsnade.
Lovely car. Looks well built.
Lovely video. I wish I had light steering on my TR7. Take care. Chris Robinson.
Great car, great presentation
Dad bought one of these when we came on vacation in 1979. It was a better deal than hiring for 2 months. I drove for about 10 minutes, then told dad he could do all the driving. I found British roads a bit terrifying , they have traffic.
Both my Uncles of my father’s side had variations of the farina cars. Interestingly , they seemed to have the same cars throughout their driving life. I first remember them both having pre farina Austin/ Morris cars , then one had the Farina Morris Oxford , the other, the Riley variation. They then went on to both having Mk2 Humber Sceptres both 1725cc models .
My Dad had one, I remember being driven in it as a child.