wolseley hornet

hi, i know its not a mini but its mini based, does anyone know of any descent web sites or info for restoring a hornet, i have just bought one for a summer project and although there is not much difference i am trying to get some ideas for finished colour schemes, wheels interior etc

thanks

steve

Reply to
ballbag
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What do you mean a Wolseley Hornet is not a Mini? Of course it's a Mini, like the Riley Elf it's a Vanden Plaz type Mini and it can wear whatever face it likes and have a cute little bum and rear wings, but it's a Mini through and through! I mean in the 1970's it was the Clubman range that were Vanden Plaz and their pure Mini too!

Anyway restoring a Hornet is much like restoring any 1960's Mini, except things like the bumpers, grille and some trim are harder to find if needed, but any Mini specialist like Somerford Mini Centre for example are up to the job.

By the way what Mark is your model? Does it have a 998cc engine? Hydrolastic Suspension? Or wind up windows? Well the Hornet and Elf were the first Mini's to get wind up windows with the Mark III of 1966?

For a quick run down on Mini history and of course the Hornet and Elf are included, check out my Mini History website:-

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All the best,

Taffy

Reply to
Taffy

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Oh yes and I know that the only real difference between the Hornet and the Elf is (apart of course for the badging and maybe colour schemes etc), the Hornet got a walnut surround finish cover for the central oval instrument pod, whilst the Elf got a full width walnut dashboard! And the Hornet like many Wolseley cars got a little oval Wolseley badge on the front grille that lights up when the lights are switched on?

Taffy

Reply to
Taffy

Seats were different too, admittedly not very different, but different none the less ;-) Actually, the differences between the MKIII Elf/Hornet and their Mini counterparts are really quite large when you get into details. For example, the door opening is just a little different to any other Mini. The quater panels and B posts are different etc. And anyone who has removed a door will know they are definatly different, mainly by the hernia they produce (heavy!!! at least compared to a MKIII Mini door)

BTW. anyone like to buy my Elf?

see

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for details.

Drew.

Reply to
""drew"

thanks for the response, it is a mk111 model and all the chrome is in good condition, the floors are shot but are just mini floor pans i presume, i am missing the light up wolseley badge from the front grill though and will probably struggle to find one. thanks for the info about the doors, can mini doors be made to fit because both mine are shot and it isnt just the skins, the frames are gone at the bottom too

Reply to
ballbag

yes it is the 998 engine and it appears to be the original one too going from numbers on the logbook and the fact that it has wolseley sticker on the rocker cover. the suspension has collasped at the back, would it be easier to put a newer mini subframe on as i have one in the garage complete (radius arms etc). i have a front one as well and want to use the car a lot so would upgrading the suspension, brakes etc make sense or what?

cheers

steve

Reply to
ballbag

Well I think you should be okay with a rear subframe change if you intend going from hydrolastic to dry rubber to save cash, Mind you though later Mini subframes are rubber mounted, so you may need alloy spacers/bushes? But the front subframe tower bolt mounts changed from late 1976 and whereas your Hornet will have the 2 bolt type fitting, from 1976 Mini's were equipped with one larger bolt, so your going to have a compatibility problem I should imagine.

Anyway try these places here for a kick off as they are top specialists and they will definitely be able to help you out and answer your questions on the subframes and doors etc.

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All the best,

Taffy

Reply to
Taffy

re the missing badge - found this item on ebay 4602548306 might be bit much to buy an entire grill just for the badge, but if they're hard to come by....

G
Reply to
Gordon Welsh

thanks for the replies gents

Reply to
ballbag

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