Wolseley Hornet Special Club of Australia Inc

Hornet Special Newsletter

WHS Club ContactsSecretary

Bill Russell, ph (03) 9349 2262

PresidentHoward Kenward, ph (07) 3267 6046

EditorHenry Hancock,

ph (07) 3878 28503 Gilia Court Indooroopilly Qld 4068

hlaevt@aanet.com.au

December 2009Issue 39

The Argus (Melbourne), Monday 22 December 1930, page 4

As the new editor of the Newsletter I would like to thank John Clucas for his excellent work over many years.

Highlights in this issue include: “Comfy Coupe or Nifty Sports Roadster” as an advertisement prompts John Ireland to consider the early arrival of Hornets in Australia, the continuation of Bill Russell’s “When the 1934 Hornets first came to Melbourne”, the Brisbane AGM, and a new Hornet registered.

As suggested by this advertisement published Monday 22 December 1930 , There ’s S t i l l Time to g e t t h a t H o r n e t f o r X m a s .

Whatever you get the family for Xmas, may you enjoy Safe Motoring and a very Merry Chris tmas

Highlights this issue

Page 2 Hornet Special Newsletter

The Melbourne newspaper advertisement suggesting buyers get their orders in quickly

for Xmas delivery, 1930, upset a few preconceived ideas that I had regarding early Hornet deliveries to Australia.

For background we have to establish the main facts:

Hornets were available on the home market from April 1930. About 2600 were produced between April and October, when the 1931 models entered produc-tion. Chassis numbering started at 0100 in the usual Morris way. All home market cars were fitted with the Morris Minor, two door, saloon body. Exports to Australia and NZ were chassis only, without tyres or batteries – these were fitted on the wharf after arrival. As my own car is stamped September 1930, has no 1931 modifications, and is chassis No 2634 (making it 2534 in manufacture), I assumed it was part of a batch sent out at the end of the ’30 production run as two of my Dunlop Magna wheels are stamped 1931. This I thought had occurred on the wharf when the piles of wheels would have got mixed up, the chassis being shipped after 1.1.31. on this basis, partly con-firmed by my car having the definitive 1931 Hornet factory style, two door saloon body, quite a bit dif-ferent to the Morris Minor body. All this seemed to be confirmed when John Clucas turned up a car in Melbourne, with chassis number just 47 earlier than mine. (Issue No:28).

However, how did this explain Hornets being available prior to Xmas 1930? Allowing at least a month – probably six weeks – for shipping, this did not leave a great time to put the bodies into produc-tion and have the cars available. It is possible that the body builders had Morris Minor bodies in production (these chassis had been coming out since 1928) and just popped them onto the Hornet chassis (the cars being identical from the firewall back). The problem here is that no cars or even pictures of them have ever turned up.

Next a perusal of the list of known survivors of ‘30/’31 cars (24 out of over 6,000 produced), reveals that chassis were not sent out in batches but somewhat piecemeal. For example the Melbourne car recently found is chassis 2587 whereas 2597 – ten later – is a

Early Hornet Imports by John Ireland

Comfy Coupe’ or Nifty Sports RoadsterThe Argus (Melbourne) Monday 22 December 1930, page 4

UK registered Patrick Special! Even more curious is that my car, the Melbourne car and the Castlemaine car with the Morris Minor radiator (Issue No:33) have much earlier Car Numbers than the UK car even though his chassis number is much earlier than mine in particular. So much for assuming that my car and the Melbourne two – seater had come over as part of a larger batch. Then of course, just to confuse things even more we have the NZ car that we learnt about recently with chassis No:2120 – only two survivors are earlier than that and they are both in the UK!

So, are we any nearer to identifying those pro-posed 1930 Xmas gifts? Not so far, but another clue may be that both the Melbourne car and the NZ car do not have the Dunlop Magna wheels fitted (with the large, chrome, hub caps) which were the normal equipment on all export cars – even Morris Minors. So does this point to both these cars being private imports at some point, even after WW2? This would muddy the waters even more. I think we will treat this subject as a work-in-progress. I have full details of all the Morris Minor chassis exported to Australia and NZ, with dates (from the Morris Minor Club) so hopefully the UK Wolseley Club or BL Archives or someone should have similar data for the Hornets. Watch this space ... Advertisement: National Library of Australiahttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4239974

The earliest Wolseley Hornet Special, the only example of a 1932 Sanction 65 so far found in Australia, located by Bill Russell in Kuranda after 40 years of searching, rescued by David Monckton and awaiting Monty Schofields’s expertise.

EARLIEST SANCTION 65 WHS 1932

Issue 39 Page 3

In the previous installment, Bill Russell told us how, as reported in Table Talk, the “popular Mr Roger Henderson” married “the widely popular Miss Judy Thornley” and purchased “the super sports model of the Wolseley Hornet Six – a very fleet special two carburetor job” and Bill continues with Part 3 of….

When the 1934 Hornets first came to MelbourneLater research has disclosed that the buyer, Roger

Henderson, was a 24-year old English aristocrat, the grandson of the 1st Baron Farringdon. Later a RAF Flight Lieutenant, he was killed in action late in 1941 and is buried near Oxford.

The 1935 Jubilee Melbourne International Motor Show was held on June 13-22, 1935, and there is quite a good report in Table Talk for June 13 1935, This refers to the Wolseley display as comprising Nine, 16/50 and a 14/40 models. Nines on display included a four door saloon in iridescent gold, and a two door coupe in black and green; there was a cream and red saloon and a two door green coupe of the 14/48. However no Hornets were displayed. By September 1935, Table Talk was publishing photos of Chryslers and Vauxhalls displaying rego numbers such as 212-333 and 215-947, from which we can assume that the Luxton Hornet must have been completed and registered about mid year in 1935.

The end of the Hornet era was also chronicled by Table Talk in its issue of February 20, 1935, which announced that “Lord Nuffield…has unpacked a big surprise at Lane’s with a complete new range of Morris Sixes…Morris have dubbed their new range “Series 2” and have announced that these cars will be produced until further orders. There will be no more yearly models – each improvement in car design will be incorporated as soon as it comes out…” Ac-cording to the writer, the most lively and sparkling performance belongs to the new 25/6, illustrated at the head of the page - the 18 will reach Melbourne-toward the end of the month. Later, the April 9 1935 issue referred to the sweeping victory of the new Wolseley Super Sixes in the Monte Carlo Rally – so sensational were the order bookings that Kellows regarded themselves as lucky to have been given a sample car of the 25/105 model so soon. “Accelera-tion through the gears is fiery”,

There was a brief re-emergence of Hornets in 1936, when the models known in England as the

1935 New Hornet and Wasp were the subject of an advertisement in the issue of Table Talk for March 26th 1936, however by this time the Super Sixes were the Wolseleys taking centre stage.

Hornets appeared at a time of economic depres-sion, not unlike the present, but they sold extremely well, as did Hornet Specials. The 1934 Hornet Special made quite a sensation when exhibited at the 1934 International Motor Show in Melbourne, especially the dashing sportsman’s coupe, but by the 1935 show, it was the magnificent Series II 25hp that stole the show on Kellows’ stand – with no Hornet Specials on display. A fantastic potential was nipped in the bud by the first emergence of badge engineering. Yet on the other hand, the Series II and III cars themselves were worthy successors, which kept the Wolseley name in lights for another two decades and were popular worldwide, and especially in Australia. The last “true Wolseleys” designed and produced at the Ward End factory ended up on the streets of Australia.

Australian bodied Series II Coupe

Draftsmen in the Wolseley factory drawing upthe Series III 18

Page 4 Hornet Special Newsletter

Brisbane 2009 AGMBrisbane 2, 3 & 4 October 2009

Below: President Howard Kenward presents John Ireland with the Wheels and Wings Trophy.Left: Monty telling stories to Margaret and LizBelow left: Peter’s 1933 WHSRight: Fiddling with Bruce’s electrics.Below right: Henry’s coupe’ body.

I am sure all those who were present will agree this gathering of like minds was enjoyable and

will promote zest to our restoration projects.

Monty and Rita Schofield hosted the Friday eve-ning gathering at their heritage property in the central city area. Once the inner person had been satisfied with cheeses, fine Indian food, etc and with glasses of red in hand, we visited Monty’s workshop. Monty’s 1934 Flood bodied WHS sat on the turntable outside the workshop, shining in the semi-dark and setting the tone for the weekend. Inside was his current project, an amazing restoration of a 1914 4 ltr Alldays & Onions, a task only Monty would take on.

Saturday morning saw us all assembled at Peter Baker’s place at 0900, prepared for a suburban circuit of Hornet restorations. Peter’s restoration of a 1933 WHS is well advanced – engine running, chassis & running gear completed and body back on. It’s inter-esting that we can trace the history of this car, owner by owner, back to about 1936. Peter also has an Austin 7 Nippy ready for painting, after some chassis and body damage in a traffic accident.

Issue 39 Page 5

Next stop was Bruce McPhail’s garage to view his 1931 vertical generator Hornet with a fabric coupe’ body. The assembled Hornet “experts” under Bruce’s direction lifted the body off and then started the mo-tor. The chassis, running gear and motor have been restored and the motor sounded great. The body is structurally fairly sound but will need careful atten-tion. Bruce also has a Riley Nine special, beautifully restored to “Imp” shape. In the driveway was a 1970’s Australian built fibreglass mid-engined Sabre special resembling a Lotus Espirit – a very handsome and usable car.

Next was Henry Hancock’s place where he is making progress on a 1933 Hornet Coupe’. Motor completed, steering box underway and many compo-nents in black primer. The body was hung from the rafters of the garage and is fairly complete. Henry and wife Laraine provided the morning tea and of course Henry’s transport for the day was his Lotus Excel.

Brisbane 2009 AGMBrisbane 2, 3 & 4 October 2009

Below: President Howard Kenward presents John Ireland with the Wheels and Wings Trophy.Left: Monty telling stories to Margaret and LizBelow left: Peter’s 1933 WHSRight: Fiddling with Bruce’s electrics.Below right: Henry’s coupe’ body.

Page 6 Hornet Special Newsletter

On then to Jerry Dunford’s. Gerry owns the only Messervy styled and Coachcraft built Airline Coupe’ on 1934 WHS components. Our research in recent years indicates that 2 were probably built, but this is the only one remaining. Jerry has a rolling chas-sis with motor and gearbox rebuilt and again the complete body under the house. At one end of this building is a 5m long x 2 ½m high rack laden with Hornet bits with a 1920s OHC Morris Minor and a 1950s BSA twin bike in evidence in another corner.

Lyle and Margaret Cooper live within 2km of Jerry

and they provided a welcome lunch of sandwiches and fruit. Lyle is progressing well with the restoration of his 1933 WHS which has been with him for 40 + years. Lyle’s workshop is well set up and he gave us instructions on how to fit a modern oil filter canister inside the original oil filter body without changing its appearance [Lyle’s instructions on how to do this will appear in the next newsletter – Ed] and also how to fit tapered roller bearings into the front hubs. Next stop was the “Hornet Supermarket” of

spares under my Father’s home. Lyle and I have accumulated these spares over 40 + years and they have been vital to a number of recent restorations, the latest being a 1934 WHS cylinder head on its way to Kevin Robson in Perth. On this occasion John Clucas scored a generator and a rocker cover wing nut and John Ireland raided a box of his vertical generator parts for a gearbox input-shaft, which will be sent to England. These spares are well guarded by the biggest Rotweiller you have ever seen, so they are fairly safe.

The last call was the Kenward residence. My 1934 WHS (the Black Car) was present and ready to go as ever. Set up in the engine stand was a 1935 14hp motor and gearbox (Lyle’s crowded workshopLyle’s crowded workshopwithout free wheel), un-restored but assembled to see what bits are missing. This unit is destined to be installed in a 1934 WHS chassis 16/127 with 2+ seater body with slab tank. This is my next project after completion of the 1919 D type Vauxhall (4 litre side valve motor). This restoration has progressed to the stage of completed body frame, awaiting aluminium panels. Also in the garage are my 1912 15hp Crossley and a 1925 Austin 7 Roadster.While the boys had been playing cars all day, the

ladies of the group were hard at work preparing for the evening meal at the Veteran Car Clubrooms. The décor in the auditorium had been supplemented by an number of A1 sized colour photos of WHSs (provided by Henry Hancock) and enlargements of period press reports of local hill-climbs featuring Hornet exploits in the 1930s and immediately post-war, researched by Jerry Dunford. After pre-dinner drinks etc. we convened the

Lyle’s crowded workshop

Jerry’s chassis and engine well advanced.

Howard’s friend for 50 years.

Issue 39 Page 7

AGM before the main meal was laid out buffet style. I will not usurp the Secretary’s job by recording full minutes, but the main features of the AGM are as follows:

Apologies from John Summerfield, Peter •Partridge and Bill Sherek – Bill attended Don Santin’s 65th Birthday bash on the same evening – Happy Birthday Don.The Treasurer gave his 08/09 report as •circulated in the last newsletter, No 38. Subs to stay the same for 09/10.The existing committee was re-elected, •including the respective State Secretaries and the Registrar.John Clucas was thanked and received a round •of applause for his excellent newsletters over many years. Henry Hancock’s offer to take over the task was readily accepted by all.Treasurer John Ireland was awarded the •Wheels & Wings Trophy for 09/10 for his on-going services to the club, his outstanding articles in the newsletter and the restoration of his 1930 Hornet Saloon. Great applause from all.As we all had a glass of red in our hands we •drank a toast to “The Black Car” which has been in my ownership for 50 years last August and has provided such sterling service and enjoyment over all of that time.John Prentice has agreed to host the next •meeting and AGM in Canberra in October 2010, time and format to be set by John at a later date.A “thank you” was recorded to John •Summerfield who had provided a number of key rings with “Auto 100 – Leaders of the World” 1935 WHS, distributed during the evening as lucky door prizes.

The evening meal proceeded with main-course, sweets, cheeses and coffee, accompanied by a ready supply of good Aussie wines. A “Toast” was drunk to thank the Ladies of our group who had provided food throughout the weekend. Jerry Dunford had organized wine glasses etched with the WHS motif and “Brisbane 09” that were distributed as part of the meal to all of those attending.

On Sunday morning – after the effects of the previous evening had worn off – I took John Prentice and John

Clucas on a tour of other restoration projects in and around local areas. Russell Massey’s 1913 A type Vauxhall, and Jak Guyomar’s amazing collection of vehicles, a 1913 30hp Napier, D1 Delage, Lancia Lambda, OHC Turcat Mery, Lorraine Detrich to be followed in the future by a 1912 20hp 4 cyl Napier, all housed in the Motor House come lounge room.

While in Brisbane, John Clucas visited a fellow car enthusiast with a SS100 similar to his own, and John Prentice saw a veteran Sunbeam under restoration to inspire him with his own project.

Thank-you to our southern visitors for attending, and to everyone concerned with the success of a great weekend. We hope to meet up with everyone again (plus many others as well) in Canberra in October 2010. See you there.

H. A. KenwardPresident

Absent friend – In October 2006, John Prentice’s 1934 WHS visited Brisbane on a trailer. At the 2007 AGM in Sydney John was driving it. We’ll see it again in 2010 in Canberra.

FOR SALE Beautiful Wasp Doctors Coupe1934 Good condition – engine has been done. Woodwork refurbished. Body needs attention. Has been under cover for a number of years. Car is At Dural. $6,500 Con Cunningham Phone (02) 9651 3334 or 0414 632 322

PROGRESS WITH BILL & RHONDA TROLLOPE’S WHS Following the 2007 AGM at the Royal Automobile Club in Sydney we inspected Bill and Ronda’s chassis which had been heavily modified and lowered. The following photos show excellent progress.

HORNET REGISTERED 27th OCTOBER 20091935 Eustace Watkins Hornet Daytona Special two-seaterCongratulations Alec Sturgess