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