Wolseley 6/110 MkII (1964 - 1968)

The big Wolseley 6/110 became the 6/110 Mk II in May 1964 and, like the Austin equivalent, was the best of the three derivatives of this model range. The mechanical changes made to upgrade the Wolseley - of which the most important wre the fitment of a new four-speed manual transmission and the rejigging of the suspension settings - were identical to those made for the Austin, and are fully described in the appropriate Austin section. Borg-Warner overdrive, incidentally, was no longer standard, but a £51 extra.

For the Wolseley, there were reclining front seats (whose backrests also had picnic tables for rear seat passengers to use) but no exterior styling changes. For eagle-eyed observers, the use of smaller-diameter (13in) road wheels gave the game away, and there was also a distinctive boot-lid badge. In 1964, on announcement, the Wolseley sold for £1,179, the Austin A110 Super de Luxe for £1,112 and the basic A110 for £997.

When the Austin A110 Mk II was dropped in favour of the new Austin 3-litre, the Wolseley was obviously on borrowed time, and production ended in March 1968, between the announcement of the British Leyland merger and the actual inauguration of that company.

Wolseley 6/110 Mk II specification

As for original 6/110 except for:

Produced: Cowley, 1964-68. 13,301 6/110 Mk II types built.

Engine and transmission: 120bhp at 4,750rpm; 163lb ft at 2,750rpm. 4-speed gearbox, no synchromesh on 1st gear; optional Borg-Warner overdrive; optional Borg-Warner automatic transmission.

Chassis: Rear suspension without transverse anti-sway hydraulic damper, no anti-roll bar. 7.50-13in tyres.

Dimensions: Wheelbase 9ft 2in; height 5ft 0.5in. Weight 3,470lb.

Distinguishing features from previous model: Restyled facia and interior, smaller road wheels and different front grille.

Typical performance: Maximum speed 102mph; 0-60mph 13.3sec; standing 1/4-mile 19.4sec: overall fuel consumption 19mpg.

Launch Price: £1,179

Derivatives: Austin A110 Mk II was mechanically identical, but with different nose style and interior trim.

Fate: Discontinued early in 1968 and not replaced by any other large-engined Wolseley.

Trivia fact: Wolseley 6/99-6/110: The police car to end all Police cars how did they find so many for that scene at the end of Buster.

Source: "The Cars of BMC" - Graham Robson (Motor Racing Publications, 1987)