1937 Wolseley 14/56 Salon De Ville *Sold £7,500*

Description

• Green over Black coachwork 
• Leather interior 
• Straight six engine 
• New battery with 5 years warranty 
• Under 43,000 miles 
• Huge history file 
• Good provenance 
• Correspondence from the original chauffeur 
• Reserve lowered

Wolseley. The name lives on. It is synonymous with quality, excellence and exclusivity. This Wolseley Series II 14/56 is all of the above. 

Thanks to innovative engineering, Wolseley had an enviable reputation for building high quality cars. Their advanced engines were just one example. This all came at a cost. By 1926, Wolseley had debts. William Morris, later Lord Nuffield, bailed Wolseley out with his own personal money.  

Wolseley continued trading independently until 1935, before Wolseley was absorbed into the Morris empire. A marriage where both parties gained a great deal. 

Background 

Wolseley nearly always used numbers to depict their models. This one is no different: 14/56. 

An obvious statement, but when these were produced, things were different. Not least the tax system and cars. Cars were taxed on the ‘notional’ output. The notional output of the Series II was 14 bhp. However, the actual output was 56bhp. How they got away with it, we’ve no idea, but good luck to them. Hence the Series II Wolseley was dubbed the 14/56. 

June 1936 saw the introduction of the Series II 14/56 Saloon that replaced the earlier ‘New Fourteen‘. The Salon de Ville variant was introduced in September 1936. 

The 14/56 became one of the most popular models ever. We’re not surprised, it is gorgeous. The Series II had a short run, just two years, and only around 15,000 were made.  

The Wolseley 14/56 featured an overhead valve engine and four-speed gearbox, along with ‘Easiclean’ steel-pressed wheels. The simple distinction between Series II and the later Series III 14/60 introduced on 27th September 1938 are the bonnet louvres. 

• First registered 17 June 1937 
• Model Wolseley Series II 14/56 
• Production Period Jun 1936 – Sep 1938 
• Body Type : 4 Door Saloon 
• Engine size : 1407cc 
• Engine Configuration : Six cylinder OHV 
• Power : 56bhp 
• Transmission : 4 speed manual 
• Top Speed : 75 mph 

A top speed of 75mph was astonishing back then, as was that marvellous six-cylinder engine, not to mention the Girling hydraulic brakes. Wolseley rightly deserved their reputation. 

This particular Wolseley 14/56 mirrors Wolseley Motors rich, deep and fascinating history. 

Although in ‘mature’ years now, our vendor’s career was as a professional driver. Interestingly, for 25 of those years he was an AA Patrol – we suspect of the old school when Patrol still saluted! Anyway, he also has a Morris 8. It’s safe to say he has a fair knowledge of classic cars of a certain period. 

This Salon De Ville 

James, our vendor, has only owned the Wolseley for a short time but unfortunately circumstances have changed and sadly he must part with it. He describes it as “a bit of a find”. That, in our view, is a massive under-statement. 

James has shared that there are some small stone chips and other age-related marks to the paintwork, but that’s not unexpected with a car of this vintage.  

A pair of flashing amber indicator lights are incorporated in the front sidelights, with another pair at the rear of this Wolseley 14/56. 

The original ‘Jackall Pump’ integrated jacking system is still present and whilst James says it does work, he feels it would benefit from a proper servicing 

The previous owner, Sid, owned this Wolseley for around 20 years. Towards the end of those years, Sid became ill and sadly passed. The Wolseley sat for some time, we think around 4 years. 

James bought the Wolseley 14/56 from the deceased’s estate.  

With the car comes what is described as a “huge box file of history” and several spare parts.  

We’ll pick out some highlights. The lucky new owner will have the pure delight of going through it all.  

• Sold new in Wallasey 
• Apparently, the owner was a lady of some considerable means 
• It was collected by her chauffeur, and he drove it everywhere 
• How do we know? We have a letter from him in the history file 
• Around 25 years ago, the 14/56 had a body-off restoration 
• There are at least two dozen original photographs evidencing this in the file 
• The buff log is present 
• Along with copious other information are of course, MOT test certificates 
• The earliest one we have dates to 1965 

This sent James off to look at the mileage. With the information he has on file and the condition of the car, James is happy to say he believes the mileage is correct and we’re sure James is happy to chat to anyone, through us first please, if you’d like to understand exactly how he has arrived at that conclusion. 

There is much more information to share about this Wolseley. The images in the file bring all of that together. The fabulous style and design. Those front hinged doors. The sumptuous interior. The art décor dash and instruments. And of course, the powerful six pot engine under the long louvred bonnet. 

An additional video of the engine running can be found here: https://youtu.be/hgFInFJdbzc

Our view 

It looks every inch the film star, doesn’t it? What a car.  

James tells us a small crowd gathers wherever he takes it anywhere. His neighbours couldn’t get enough of it when he brought it home. He goes on to tell us; 

“From the file, I can see Sid was a very meticulous owner. Whoever restored the chrome must have spent a fortune, they’ve even re-chromed the seat runners. It runs a treat and has a beautiful engine”. 

A beautiful piece of British motoring heritage. But also, with the paperwork to accompany it, a snapshot of British history. A wonderful, wonderful package in our view. 

Good luck! Please remember, our site uses anti-sniping software which ensures fairness to all bidders. So, if a bid for a lot is received in the last minute, the auction will go into a 2-minute overtime period for each subsequent bid.

Vehicle Location: Ebbw Vale, Gwent NP23 – it’s the responsibility of the winning bidder to make collection / transportation arrangements directly with the vendor.

Would like to arrange a viewing or have a question about this Wolseley 14/56? Please contact us at team@evoke-classics.com and we will speak to the vendor on your behalf.

Guide Prices?

We’re different. But you know that. And we’re always honest. In a sector where no two classics are same, how does anyone put a ‘guide’.

Well, everyone knows the broad value of classic, let’s all be honest. So we don’t need to tell you what you already know, do we.

The ‘market’ decides and the old cliché that ‘it’s worth what someone wants to pay’ is no less true. So why kid everyone!

But, because we are different, if it really does matter to you, that’s fine, we want you to be happy. Just drop us a line at team@evoke-classics.com and one of us will be delighted to ring you back and discuss, it’s what we do.

Tedious but it’s vital you read this, please.

We will always strive to offer the most descriptive and transparent auction listings available. However, we can’t claim to be perfect. Your own analysis is very important and we are here to help and also answer any and all queries you may have prior to purchase.

We offer and positively encourage buyers to view, or arrange inspections for each vehicle thoroughly prior to bidding.

If we do take a physical, as opposed to a remote, look at any of the vehicles on our platform, they are not those of a qualified vehicle inspector or other professional. Nor do they include a test drive unless expressly stated.

As with all vehicles of a certain age, localised paint repairs are common. This specifically applies with classics.

So, please, unless we state explicitly to the contrary, please assume that classic vehicles on our platform could have had remedial bodywork of any kind at some point in its life.

Two final comments on images and photos.

The vast majority are supplied by vendors. Camera technology has and continues to improve significantly, but please note and understand that image and sound quality does vary. If you would like vendors to provide more images please ask us and we will contact the vendor for you.

If you are at all unsure, just ask us. It is what we are here for.

Finally, finally, finally. Please note that vehicles are sold as seen and a returns policy is not applicable. This is the norm for used items acquired at auction.

Our Terms and Conditions are here and our FAQS can be found here or contact us: team@evoke-classics.com

Got one you’d like to sell? Please feel free to get in touch to have a no obligation chat with us: Contact The Evoke Team