Info
Wolseley 6/90
1954 to 1959 | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Overview | |
Manufacturer | BMC |
Production | 1954 to 1959 |
Produced | 11852 |
Body and chassis | |
Class | Mid-size car |
Body style | 4-door saloon |
Layout | FR layout |
Related | Riley Two-Point-Six |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 2.6 L C-Series I6 |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 113.5 in (2,883 mm) |
Length | 188 in (4,775 mm) |
Width | 678 in (17,221 mm) |
Height | 62 in (1,575 mm) |
Chronology | |
Predecessor | Wolseley 6/80 |
Successor | Wolseley 6/99 |
The Wolseley 6/90 is a car which was produced by Wolseley Motors Limited in the United Kingdom from 1954 to 1959. The 6/90 replaced the 6/80 as the company's flagship model. It was badged with Six-Ninety on the bonnet and with 6/90 on the bootlid.
History
Introduced at the Earls Court Motor Show of 1954 and incorporated many of the developmcnt changeg brought about by the merging of the Austin and Morris concern into the B,M.C. Outwardly, the 6/90 somewhat resembles the 6/80, but mechanically is completely different.
Whereas the 6/80 had shared most of its body panels with the Morris Six, the 6/90 design was similar to the Riley Pathfinder. Morris, Riley and Wolseley had all been owned by the Nuffield Organisation which had merged with Austin to become BMC, and all three marques would soon be heavily involved in BMC's badge engineering; for Wolseley enthusiasts, in retrospect the 6/90 seemed like the last true Wolseley, being visually distinct from contemporary (and cheaper) Austin and Morris offerings.
With slightly more than 2 1/2-litre capacity, 7.3:1 compression ratio, has an R.A.C. rating of 23.44 hp a stated maximum power output of 90 b.h.p.The Pathfinder and 6/90 were still essentially Nuffield designs, although BMC rationalisation meant that the Wolseley received the new BMC C-Series straight-6, an engine that produced 95 hp (71 kW) coupled to a four speed manual transmission. The 6/90 series II and III did without the Mark I Pathfinder's sophisticated rear suspension.
It rocked Wolseley traditionalists with a grey striped formica instrument panel and central large chrome mesh "cheese-cutter" speaker grille. The hand brake control was under the dash to the side of the steering column and the gearchange was column mounted opposite the dip switch. The leather trimmed front seats were mounted closely together and the rear bench had a fold down centre arm rest.
5776 were made.
The Motor magazine tested a 6/90 in 1955 and found it to have a top speed of 96 mph (154 km/h) and acceleration from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 17.3 seconds. A fuel consumption of 21.6 miles per imperial gallon (13.1 L/100 km; 18.0 mpg-US) was recorded. The test car cost £1063 including taxes.
It is also somewhat notorious for leading to the sacking of its designer Gerald Palmer (by BMC's Leonard Lord) in favour of Alec Issigonis.
Series II
Series II 6/90s, introduced for 1957, included leaf springs on the live axle in the rear, a more conventional walnut dash and a floor-mounted gear lever — unusually on the right-hand side, on right-hand-drive cars. Overdrive and automatic transmissions were available as options.
In production for only 8 months, the Series II gave way to the Series III in 1958 after only 1024 had been made.
Series III
The Series III included larger power brakes and a larger rear window. This design was also available, rebadged, as Riley's Pathfinder replacement, the ill-fated Two-Point-Six. 5052 were made.
6/90 production ended in 1959 with the introduction of the Pininfarina-designed 6/99.
Specifications
- Engine: 2.6 L (2639 cc) C-Series I6, 95 hp (71 kW)
Wolseley 6/90 rear view
Technical
-
Wolseley 6/90 Technical details and specifications (1954-1959)
DIMENSIONS
Overall Length with Overriders - 15ft. 8in.
Overall Height - 5ft. 2 in.
Overall Width - 5ft. 7 in.
Ground clearance -7in.
Total weight - 3,248 lb.; Kerb, 3,380 1b.
Track - Front, 54 3/4in.; Rear, 54 1/2in.
Turning circle - 37ft. 6 1/2in. right and 36ft. 9in. left lock
Wheelbase -9ft. 5 1/2in.ENGINE 2.6L (Type C.26W)
No. of Cylinders - 6
Treasury Rating - 23-4 h.p.
c.c. - 2639.4 c.c.
Bore - 3.125in. (79•375mm.)
Stroke - 3.5in. (88.9mm.)
Compression Ratio - 7-3 to 1
Firing order - 1-5-3-6-2-4
Carburettor make & type Twin S.U. Type H4, 1 1/2 in.CLUTCH AND GEARBOX
Clutch type - Borg and Beck, 9in. single dry plateREAR AXLE
Type of axle - 3/4 floating
Type of drive - HypoidSUSPENSION
Type—Front - Independent; torsion bar, hydraulic damper
Type—Rear -Coil springs, radius arms, anti-sway bar, hydraulic damperBRAKES
Type - Lockheed hydraulic, 11 in., 2 LSELECTRICAL
Battery 12-volt, 51 amp. hr
Make,type Lucas GTW9A-2-Wolseley 6/90 Advanced Maintenance is available for registered users-
© Motor car History
Service
-
Wolseley 6/90 Service Guide (1954-1959)
ENGINE
Valve timing markings - Notch on flange of crankpulley opposite pointer on timing cover
Inlet Valve Clearance for timing - .0234in.
Inlet Valve opens—degs. - 5° B.T.D.C.; closes, 45° A.B.D.C.
Exhaust Valve opens degrees - 40° B.B.D.C.; closes, 10° A.T.D.C.
Valve stem to guide clnce. - Inlet, •0025 to •0015in.; Exhaust, •002to •001in.
Carburettor setting - Standard needle, GRELECTRICAL
Breaker gap - •014 to •016in.
Plug make and type - Champion N8B, 14mm.,3/4in. reach
Plug gap - .022in.
Firing order - 1-5-3-6-2-4
Ignition timing—degrees - 6° B.T.D.C.
CAPACITIES (Imperial)
Sump—pints -11 1/2
Gearbox—pints . - 4 1/2
Rear Axle—pints - 3 3/4
Cooling system—pints - 21 3/4
Steering box—pints - 1 1/2
Petrol, galls. - 13Tyre size and pressures - 6-00 X 15; 28 1b. all round
-Wolseley 6/90 Advanced Maintenance is available for registered users-© Motor car History
Maintenance
Maintenance Advanced Data
Members Only ! >> Register here. <<
Models and years covered 1910 to around 2020 all make and years. Car and Commercial vehicles Worldwide including basic to advanced.
Including Below on request for members..
- Engine rebuilds
- Manufacturer recall checks
- Known problems
- Trouble shooting
- Wiring diagrams
- Transmission rebuilds
- Brakes
- Steering
- Suspension
- Wheel alignment data
- Dimensions and sizes
- Torque wrench settings
- Capacities
- Carburettors
- Injection systems
- Cooling system
- Serial number locations