Wolseley 6/80

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

The larger Wolseley model, the Six-Eighty, has a six cylinder engine with twin carburettors, as against the four cylinders and single carburettorof the Four-Fifty model. Both engines are similar in design, permitting standardisation.

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. The body chassis unit of mono-construction; turret top of immense strength, heavy gauge member at bottom edge of body below doors acts as side bumpers; enclosed members and joints treated for rust prevention; full-width bumpers, front and rear, with over-riders. Overall length 14 ft. 9 in., overall height 5 ft. 3} in., overall width ft. 6 in., wheelbase p ft. 2 in., track 4 ft. 6 in., turning circle 40 ft. 5 in., ground clearance 7 in. Finished in black with brown upholstery. 

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.

Six-cylinder overhead camshaft engine, 73.5 mm. bore-x 87 mm. stroke, capacity 2,215 c.c., compression ratio 6.6 : 1, rated h.p. 20.0;camshaft drive by means of helical gears and vertical shaft; crank-shaft supported by 4 large diameter white metal steel-backed bearings; wire-wound controlled expansion aluminium alloy pistons; 12-volt 51-amp./hour battery; coil ignition; automatic advance and retard; belt-driven ventilated high-output dynamo with constant voltage control; twin S.U. carburetters with large air cleaner; fuel tank capacity 12 gallons; S.U. fuel pump, solenoid-operated auxiliary carburetter for easy starting: pressure lubrication by gear type oil pump; constant level oil intake and filter; large internally housed renewable element type filter in the sump; cooling by centrifugal water pump and fan; water flow thermostatically controlled.

Borg & Beck clutch; four-speed gearbox with synchromesh 2nd, 3rd and top; gear change mounted on steering column; final drive via Hardy-Spicer propeller shaft to semi-floating hypoid rear axle; overall gear ratios; top 4.555, third 6.587, second 10.248, first 14.642, reverse 14.642.

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.The interior appointments are in the best modern style and include a heater, fitted under the forward parcel shelf and controlled by a rheostat on the instrument panel. De-misting air ducts are built in below the windscreen and are connected to the heater. Provision is made for a radio receiver, which can be fitted as an optional
The Six-Eighty a worthy Successors in the Wolseley tradition and their slim elegance, combined with soundengineering qualities, give them a distinct air of superiority in their class.

Instruments comprising Smith electric clock and speedometerzwlth trip; ammeter; fuel and oil gauges; starter button; ignition lock;N-kilowatt inbuilt car heater, and air conditioning. Body equipment includes: "Triplex" toughened glass all round; leather upholstery; pile carpets; four ashtrays, dipping anti-glare rear-view mirror; hinged ventilator panels in front and rear doors and flush-fitting pull-out •type door handles; centre armrest and combined side armrests and door pulls to rear seat on rear doors; bucket seats in front with armrests on doors acting as door pulls; front seats adjustable fore and aft, and also for height; parcel shelf behind rear squab; two glove boxes with doors in facia, and full parcel tray beneath; demisting air ducts built in below wind-screen and connected to the car heater; two sun visors with vanity mirror on passenger side, polished wood garnish rails and facia panels; special jacking points under door pillar. H.M.V. car radio fitted as an optional extra. 

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.

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. 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",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 equipment included a heater, a rear window blind and "twin roof lamps in the rear compartment".

Independent front suspension, comprising torsion bars disposed fore and aft alongside frame members and splined into wishbones attached to lower end of king pin, top end of king pins attached to two telescopic shock absorbers; rear suspension rubber-mounted semi-elliptic springs with flexing type rubber bushes; double-acting telescopic shock absorbers with anti-sway mounting; Dunlop 6.00-15 tyres on 5-stud fixing, disc-type wheels, spare wheel and tyre separately housed under floor of luggage compartment.

Lockheed hydraulic brakes with two leading shoes on front; hand brake, cable- operated from pull handle mounted under facia panel; spring arm type steering wheel with horn ring; steering wheel telescopically mounted and adjustable for position; cam gear steering box. 

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".

The Wolseley 6 80