Wolseley 6/80
| 1948-1954 | |
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| 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 |
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 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.
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".
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
Gallery
