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Wolseley Hornet Mk II - Mini with luxury and trunk space

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Created on June 18, 2020

Text:

Daniel Koch

Photos:

Daniel Reinhard

3

Courtesy of RM Sotheby's

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Archiv

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Daniel Reinhard

3

Courtesy of RM Sotheby's

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Archiv

5

Wolseley Hornet MkII (1966) - luxury mini with opulent chrome trim at the front

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Wolseley Hornet MkII (1966) - The larger trunk compared to the Mini was very practical

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Wolseley Hornet MkII (1966) - The miniature dimensions become visible from the rear

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Wolseley Hornet MkII (1966) - Patina in the interior

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Wolseley Hornet MkII (1966) - Simple two-spoke steering wheel

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Wolseley Hornet MkII (1966) - Fine wood frames the fittings

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Wolseley Hornet MkII (1966) - Little space in the rear

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Wolseley Hornet MkII (1966) - Detailed type designation

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Wolseley Hornet MkII (1966) - Small fins indicated at the rear

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Wolseley Hornet MkII (1966) - Modern detail: Valve cap with Union Jack

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Wolseley Hornet MkII (1966) - door like the Mini

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Wolseley Hornet MkII (1966) - Many parts came from the Mini

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Wolseley Hornet MkII (1966) - The small 998 cc engine produced almost 40 hp

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Wolseley Hornet MkII (1966) - The small engine made do with 91 octane gasoline

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Wolseley Hornet MkII (1966) - With certificate

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Riley Elf (1962) - In German: Die Elfe

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Riley Elf (1961) - Lots of chrome and an opulent radiator grille

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Riley Elf (1962) - Engines from the mini-shelf

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Riley Elf (1962) - With about 25 centimeters more length also practical for the shopping tour

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Riley Elf (1962) - Compared to the Mini with a generous trunk space

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Wolseley Hornet MKlll (1969) - more length, more trunk space - Rétromobile Paris 2019

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Wolseley Hornet MKlll (1969) - Mini derivative with notchback - Rétromobile Paris 2019

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Wolseley Hornet (1963) - Goodwood Member's Meeting 2019

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Summary

Anyone familiar with the Wolseley Hornet is likely to think of pre-war sports cars. However, with the Hornet, the small, fine British brand launched a luxury version of the revolutionary Austin/Morris Mini in 1961, for which there is still a small circle of enthusiasts today. With more trunk space, it was ultimately also more practical. This report tells the story of the Wolseley Hornet and its brother Riley Elf and shows both models in current and historical images, as well as in the sales literature.

This article contains the following chapters

Almost identical
More space
Mini under the hood
Sufficiently motorized
Improvements in the new model
Where to classify them?

Estimated reading time: 3min

Preview (beginning of the article)

Before the swinging sixties arrived in London in the mid-sixties and Mary Quant invented the miniskirt, the Mini, Sir Alec Issigonis' legendary small car, was an integral part of the streets from 1959 onwards. Just two years later, a luxurious version based on the Mini's technology was launched, the Wolseley Hornet. However, the new model had nothing to do with its sporty namesake from the 1930s; the name was simply used. The Mini's father Sir Alec Issigonis is said to have been anything but enthusiastic about the Hornet's design, apparently not liking the extended trunk or the opulent radiator grille.

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