This 1964 Wolseley 1500, nicknamed Matilda, is in Northampton, Northamptonshire, United Kingdom, about 40 minutes southeast of Coventry. This blue, barn find is listed on eBay with a current bid price of £301 ($440) and four days left on the auction. Here’s your chance to get one at a good price, although it needs a bit of help, as you can see here. The Wolseley 1500 is related to the Riley 1.5 (or, One-Point-Five) and were similar in many ways, but the Riley had twin-carburetors giving it an additional 20 hp over the Wolseley.
This car was named “Matilda” by its first owner who then sold it to her niece in the early-1980s and she has owned it ever since. In the late-1980s the car was put into storage where it stayed until 2015 when the seller’s shop took it in with the noble intention of getting it back on the road again. They have had it for several months now and haven’t had a chance to get much done on it because of other work in their shop. But, the engine does run and it runs great, according to the seller. The biggest trouble is that the place where it was stored wasn’t as dry as it could have been and the inner and outer rocker panels need work as will the chassis and the inner-wings/fenders. You may be able to find parts in the UK.
The interior looks very good overall, but they do mention that some mice got in (don’t they always?!) and did a little damage, but not to the upholstery. I’m not sure what they did in there, maybe they just hung out; maybe there is a pile of really, really small cigarette butts on the carpet from rogue mouse gangs using it as a hangout.
This 1.5L inline-four cylinder has around 50 hp and it needs some detailing help, but the seller says that when they started it up “were no knocks or rattles and smoke!” And, they also mention that the “engine is an absolute peach!” Here is a YouTube video of them starting it for the first time! It sounds great, and that’s a very good sign but, with the rust damage, is this car worth saving? Dumb question, of course it is! I know that most of you could get Matilda back on the road again, but is this a car that you would have enough passion for to take it on?
Where to start. If it was here in the colonies, for that price I would take a chance on it. I have a feeling this would be one of those up side down cost projects. Their is a 65 that went for $3800. on ebay. Even doing everything myself. Out of pocket would be about $5000. Plus shipping!
For you folks in the UK, please forgive my lack of knowledge. I’m just wondering if this Wolseley is one of these British cars that is put together with witworh fasteners now if I’ve spelled it wrong please let me know. ( Mark from Calgary AB. Canada )
The answer is yes, and it is spelt Whitworth
Whitworth, British Standard and British Association hardware, tools and taps and dies are still available in USA – a simple internet search will confirm this.
Built on the Morris Minor floor pan and suspension with a 1500c motor. Good for 76mph.