The Wolseley 4/50 and similar 6/80 were Wolseley Motors' first post-war automobiles. They were rushed into production in 1948 and were based on the Morris Oxford MO and the Morris Six MS respectively. The 4-cylinder 4/50 used a 1476 cc 50 hp (37 kW) version of the 6/80 engine, while the 6/80 used a 2215 cc 72 hp (54 kW) straight-6 single overhead cam.

The cars were well equipped and looked impressive, with a round Morris rear end and upright Wolseley grille and were used extensively by the Police at the time - the 6/80 particularly.

These models were built at Morris's Cowley factory alongside the 'Oxford'. They were replaced in 1953 and 1954 by the Wolseley 4/44 and 6/90.

Wolseley 4/50

Wolseley 4/50

Production	1948-1953 8925 built[1]
Successor	Wolseley 4/44
Body style	4-door saloon
Engine	1.5 L Morris I4
Wheelbase	102 inches (2591 mm)[2]
Length	170 inches (4267 mm)[2]
Width	66 inches (1676 mm) [2]
Height	63 in (1,600 mm) [3]
Related	Morris Oxford MO

A 4/50 tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1950 had a top speed of 70.7 mph (113.8 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 30.3 seconds. A fuel consumption of 27.0 miles per imperial gallon (10.5 L/100 km; 22.5 mpg_-US) was recorded. The test car cost £703 including taxes. ^[3]

Sales volumes were only a third those of the car's six-cylinder sibling: the car was regarded as heavy, with "good use of the excellent gear-box" being needed to maintain a respectable pace.^[4] The Wolseley 4/50 was more expensive than the Morris Oxford. The engine used was a 4-cylinder version of the 6/80. The pistons were just about the only common part used in this range of cars. aside from styling details around the nose, its body.^[4]

• 

  Wolseley 4/50 - side

• 

  Wolseley 4/50 - rear

Wolseley 6/80

Wolseley 6/80

Production	1948-1954 25,281 made[1]
Predecessor	Wolseley 18/85
Successor	Wolseley 6/90
Body style	4-door saloon
Engine	2.2 L I6
Wheelbase	110 inches (2794 mm)[2]
Length	177 inches (4443 mm)[2]
Width	66 inches (1676 mm)[2]
Height	63 in (1,600 mm) [5]
Related	Morris Six MS

In order to accommodate its longer six-cylinder engine, the 6/80 was longer by 7 in (180 mm) than the 4/50. It also had larger brakes with 10 in (250 mm) drums compared with the 9 in (230 mm) ones of the 4/50.^[5]

A 6/80 tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1951 had a top speed of 85.3 mph (137.3 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 21.4 seconds. A fuel consumption of 21.8 miles per imperial gallon (13.0 L/100 km; 18.2 mpg_-US) was recorded. The test car cost £767 including taxes. ^[5] An Autocar Magazine road test of an apparently similar car managed a top speed of only 78.5 mph (126.3 km/h) and slightly slower acceleration on a windy day a couple of years earlier. The testers noted that "in keeping with [the manufacturer's] policy which has much to commend it to a discerning motorist, the Wolseley is quite high geared",^[6] which made for relaxed cruising at (by the standards of the time) speed, but an more urgent driving style involved extensive use of the gear box. Standard equipement included a heater, a rear window blind and "twin roof lamps in the rear compartment".^[6]

A second-hand car review published in England in 1960 observed that "even the most junior member of the family" would recognise the Wolseley 6/80 as the "Cops' Car" both on television, and on the streets. The car was reckoned to offer a good power-to-weight ratio in combination with steering and suspension sufficiently excellent to permit to be "thrown around without detriment to the car and with little discomfort to the occupants". ^[4]

Gallery

• 

  Wolseley 6/80 - side

• 

  Wolseley 6/80 - rear

References

External links

• Owner's club website