1932 Wolseley Swallows Hornet Sports

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In the early 1930s Wolseley occupied the front rank of British sports cars alongside MG, Riley and Frazer Nash. The single model responsible was the Wolseley Hornet. Introduced in 1930, the Hornet saloon deployed Wolseley's overhead-camshaft, six-cylinder engine in a lengthened Morris Minor chassis equipped with hydraulic brakes. Its power-to-weight ratio was exemplary among contemporary 1.3-litre cars, the smooth and flexible six pulling from walking pace to more than 60mph.




Increased performance was offered by the Hornet Special chassis, which came with 12" brakes and remote-control gearshift. The Special used the shortened engine equipped with twin-carburettors and an oil cooler, in which form it produced 45bhp, good enough for a top speed, depending on coachwork, of around 75mph. The Special chassis rapidly became that of choice for the multitude of independent coachbuilders already using the Hornet as the basis for a sporting two-seater.








Sold in the aid of the Animal Rescue Centre, Ghent for Sold for £31,050 inc. premium by Bonhams

Credit to the photographer.

1932 Wolseley Swallows Hornet Special

Coachwork by Swallow

Registration no. TY 8478 (see text)

Chassis no. 5148APUS

*Restored in Holland in the 1990s

*Present ownership since 2008

*Registered in Belgium

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