The Wolseley 1500 is a Hidden Gem of a Classic Car

The Wolseley 1500 and Riley One-Point-Five have for long taken the back seat to their Morris Minor cousin when it comes to the limelight. But with Minor values now on the high side, maybe it's time for the regal side of BMC to go out onto the stage.

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[corrbhan]

Ed, your obsession with the history of the British motor industry is not unhealthy at all. It's wonderful. And for an old fart like me (I'm 64) it's great to see that there are still young people interested in classic cars. I love your videos, please go on just the way you do.

[hugebartlett]

Now you see why we older folks used to love our cars, and thought of them as part of the family. They were individual with unique personalities. Troublesome at times, but the mechanic in the garage knew his cars, every nut and bolt, and anything wrong was quickly and cheaply put right. Back on the road within hours. Replacement parts? All available from the dealer, off the shelf, and fitted in minutes. A reason for nostalgia? There you have it, plain to see. We have the memories. And are grateful.

[jeremywinkfield]

The best bit you never mentioned, THE GRILL BADGE LIGHT.

[royyoung]

Just got to say that your videos have improved tremendously over time.
No exaggeration today that it would easy to say better than most on TV.
Best of luck with your career, no doubt you will picked up by a mainstream company in the very near future.
Excellent work, thanks for these videos.👌

[zerocool]

Random animal showing up in a video is always a sign of a good omen...
I grew up in the US, I'm from Chile. So these foreign cars are so fascinating to me. Your videos are on par or better, more entertaining than anything on TV, streaming sites.
Cheers from Chile!

[stevegibbs]

Love the enthusiasm. Every time you drive a car, you end up selling me the car. I want that one 😂

[peterward]

Every time I look at a Wolseley 1500 reminds me of my grandmother.
As a 12 year old in 1969, dad, mum myself with gran took a day trip to Portsmouth in our two tone black and red 1500, I was sitting in the back with gran.
As we drove around a roundabout her door flew open and she seemed to me to be falling out.
I quickly grabbed her to stop her falling out, she let out a scream as I grabbed her in my panic.
I only grabbed her ample bossom.
She often wondered what would have been more painful, being grabbed by her bossom or falling out of the car, it became a family joke.
I was mortified then and still blush about it now lol 😂 I just had to mention this story. Other than that it was a lovely medium sized car with a hint of luxury about it.

[andersfalkman]

I had a 1500 as my daily driver for a couple of years back in the early seventies. Drove it in the harsh winter even for visiting skiresorts in the north 700 kms away from my home in Stockholm. I always rmembered it as a nice little car , even on long trips, thanks to the gearing, 3.7:1, which means relaxed cruising at low revs. Alas, I have now a completely restored Mk 1, bringing a lot of memories and great fun.

[garethwalker]

As someone fast approaching their 80th birthday I am pleased to say I took my driving test in a Wolseley 1500. I learned to drive in a very tired Bedford CA van. It was slow, clunky and the steering had about 6 inches of free play. I only had one lesson in the Wolseley before taking my test (which I passed) but it was a revelation. Precise light steering, lovely smooth engine, and a beautiful interior I absolutely loved it. Thank you for sharing this insight into a car I had almost forgotten about. A lovely trip down memory lane.

[michaeltreadwell]

What beautiful little cars - such a shame this one is ruined by having all the woodwork painted ! Years ago, our neighbours sister had a Pink Riley version of these. Both models are quite rare nowadays, but always look like happy little cars. Thanks for sharing this with us. Take care 🙂

[philipgallagher]

A 1957 with just 13000 miles was my first car when I passed my test in '74. My parents never owned a car and never had a licence, so I was the family driver. The car was a year younger than me and had been owned by a friend of my Grandmother. Its green and cream paintwork matched with the Leather/vinyl combo seats were a delight and you're right...the gearbox is a gem. I, and my friends went everywhere in it and, despite terrible mpg (often as low as 16 if you really tried to use your right foot) we would load it up and head off into the sun. It was written off one dark and rainy night, when an Austin 1800 Land Crab, came barrelling out of control down the centre, "overtaking" lane of the A41 around Watford. It hit us front on and we buried ourselves in it's door pillar. The Land Crab was bent like a banana and although the Wolseley didn't look too bad, it was written off. And seatbelts....it had none. ALWAYS GET THEM FITTED IN ANY CLASSIC....my Dad spent the night in hospital having dived headfirst into the dashboard.... He was lucky, it could well have been worse. I still miss it

[geoffpayne]

The Wolseley 1500 was sold in Australia, but the badge engineered no frills Austin Lancer series 1 and Morris Major series 1 sold in greater numbers. The first car I owned was an Austin Lancer from 1958 which was 14 years old when I bought it. I loved it for all the reasons you have mentioned, plus it was simple to work and parts were plentiful. The weakness of the drivetrain was the differential, and a company in Melbourne used install an FC Holden diff to cure that problem.

[papasai]

Charming video! My family had a Riley 1.5; it was blast. Elderly relatives in the back used to shout out 'Steady on, there isn't a fire!' as you zoomed (or so we thought then) up to 55 in third. Totally cute.

[alanrobinson]

I owned a maroon example about 20 years ago. It was quite capable of keeping up with then-current cars and was a joy to drive on most roads.

[richardhumby]

At 67 it’s great to hear a young fella so enthusiastic about those cars of my distant past!

[westpoll]

The first car I drove on the road was a morris minor. I had a Wosley 1500 a few years later and I loved it. Great review, bought back fond memories.

[geoffcrisp]

My Dad hired one in 1963 for our two week annual holiday in South Devon. Five up with luggage travelling from NW London it never missed a beat. Good job none of use were fat in the 60's as it was very squashed in the back. Lovely little car, brings back many happy memories of Devon when it was still undiscovered by tourism.

[SpacedOdyssey]

I had two 1500sThe 2nd was a 1963 MKIII which was 10 year old when I bought it.
Spent fortune on it MGB engine, Lowered, Telescopic shocks, Koni/SPAX, Anti Roll Bar, Riley brakes with a servo, One off exhaust with 3 branch manifold, 6 inch wide Four Spoke Revolution Alloys. plus lots of other bits and pieces.
100 mph all the way to to the Costa del Sol in 1975, a Real Q Car

[mikeenglish]

Enter Stage Right…… a dog determined to steal the show! Ed remains unphased and continues talking to camera!
Excellent……
Mike

[tricialyn]

Packed full of useful information that I didnt know! This is better than most every other channel on YouTube....its actually better than any!! Really enjoyed watching how natural ur presenting style is to watchers :) Cute cars!!!