Lot 206: 1921 WOLSELEY 10HP TWO SEATER

Green with black mudguards, dark green upholstery

Engine: four cylinder overhead camshaft, 2 9/16 x 3¾ins. bore & stroke, 1,261cc; Gearbox: three speed, right hand change; Suspension: front and rear, quarter elliptic leaf springs; Brakes: two wheel drum, rear. Right hand drive.

A well-regarded light car from a very famous and respected manufacturer, the Wolseley 10 was developed from the Stellite car, from the same maker, introduced prior to the Great War.

The maker's plate attached to the dashboard of this example not only records its serial number, but also the unladen weight of the car - 1610 lbs. Another plate is that of the original supplier - P.J. Crowhurst & Co, of Chippenham. The floor covering is the original ribbed linoleum, and the leather upholststery also is the original, and needs little more than treatment. The brightwork is nickel plated, and the steel artillery wheels carry 710 x 90 beaded-edge tyres - all correct. At the rear is a small upholstered dickey seat which would accommodate two small children or one adult - at a pinch. Under the bonnet, the overhead cam engine is a feature, the carburettor is an updraught Zenith and the magneto a BLIC.

The car would have been sold new in the Warwick area as evidenced by its numberplate, its actual date of registration was 25th October 1921 just five years earlier than the log book which it still retains. The document is helpful in that it records much of the first 40 years of the car's life, such as detailing an intriguing change of ownership from a Mrs. M.K. Slatter in 1930 seemingly to her husband John only to revert back into her ownership in 1932! It also notes that the next change of custodian was not until 1954 when the car moved south to Cambridgeshire and became the property of C.W. Fletcher of Enterprise Garage, Trumpington, and that in 1959 it passed to Lion garage of Hemingford Abbots, Bucks. Although not written it may safely be assumed that it was swept up by the Sharpe family to join others of its brethren shortly after this time.

A V5 as well as the 1926 log book are sold with the car.