1957 Wolseley 4/44 1.5 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

A comfortable classic

Faults:

Very little for what was then a 22 year old car:

Fuel line sprung a leak.

Fuel pump stopped working.

Valves needed grinding.

Alternator was replaced.

Oil seal on a wheel hub went.

General Comments:

I bought the Wolseley for NZ$1,500. The previous owner had repainted the car, and had installed a 1.5 litre engine and moved the gear change to the floor (thankfully). He had also restored the interior.

The 4/44 was a very comfortable car. The interior, with the traditional Wolseley wooden dashboard and red leather seats was a treat. It could be driven all day at 70 mph, which was its top speed. I loved the car and wish I still had it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th June, 2003

10th Feb 2008, 23:36

Thank you.

16th Feb 2010, 15:26

I fondly remember my father's Wolseley 4/44. Lovely handling, very quiet, tight and solid, but negligible power (original 1.2 litre engine with steering column gearshift). Strangely, the differential had to be overhauled - certainly not because of excess power throughput! Conversion to 1.5 litre (MG Magnette) engine and floor shift was a sensible move, but it would be easier to buy a Magnette instead.

8th May 2010, 08:35

I had 2 Magnettes; one ZB, one Varitone; both for 7 years each.

Great cars, comfortable, reliable and easy to maintain.

The Varitone had been updated with power brakes and a Derrington 8 port cross flow alloy head with big valves. Increased HP from 72 to 110, and would still do 40mpg on a run if driven gently.

Two really nice if rather rust prone cars.