1934 | Wolseley Hornet Special

Father John and son Tony Seber's Wolseley Hornets have long been renowned for their performances at VSCC events. John started rebuilding Hornets in the fifties and finally began competing in the seventies when his son was still a teenager. Tony followed in his footsteps, started racing Hornets when he was 17 and won his first VSCC race ! Between them, the Sebers have now built and raced more then 50 cars - nearly always Wolseley Hornet Specials - and have become the authority on these fantastic prewar sportscars.

The example we are offering for sale is Seber No. 48. It is just finished and in new condition. The car is constructed on a fully original specification running chassis from 1934 (chassis, engine, gearbox axles, steering and hydraulic brakes), and fitted with a bespoke made aluminium body on a new timber frame. The engine is a slightly tweaked 1400 cc Hornet 6-cilinder with a crossflow head and fitted with twin 1 1/4" SU carburettors, producing a healthy 85 bhp. The Wolseley sits on 16" wheels fitted with Blockley tyres (5.50-16 front and 6.00-16 rear . It's build to fast road specification with aluminium "typecast" brake drums and 12" twin-eading shoe front brakes. The dashboard has the original instruments, and behind the seats there is some boot storage space on a hidden parcel shelf.

This nimble lightweight sportscar is a pleasure to drive. The 6-cilinder Hornet engine produces a fantastic sound, and offers good performance. Braking and steering are good, and the driving position invites for sporty motoring. This is a great car to enter the prewar scene. It's a good looking and nicely driving Special, built by the most well known Wolseley specialists, and ready to be enjoyed.