The Car Challenge

[Bristolian]

Should be a quick challenge

[Dannie Boy]

Should be a quick challenge

vauxhall Cresta PA

[Bristolian]

Well done
I knew it would be quick but how did you know it was a Cresta and not a Velox?

[Dannie Boy]

Well done
I knew it would be quick but how did you know it was a Cresta and not a Velox?

Partly a lucky guess although the grille was very familiar - as a young lad my grandma had a chalet on the Kent coast and one of the other owners had a Pink Cresta - the UK equivalent to Pink Cadillac. Somebody else also had a Mk1 Zephyr or Zodiac from the previous challenge. Happy days

[Bristolian]

The Cresta was the upmarket model and had two-tone paintwork, the Velox was only available originally as a solid colour. Of course later, many would repain the Velox in two-tone to show that they had a better car

My Ex FIL used to be a car dealer and I often got to use the trade-in cars for a while before they were sold on. I had for a short while a Velox and Cresta of the PA version and an older Wyvern.

I loved the Cresta with its 2.6 L engine, bench seats and column change. The speedometer was a 'magic ribbon' speedo - the strip indicating speed changed from green to amber at 30 mph and to red at 60 mph.

I later bought a 61 model, I think, and restored it.

[Dannie Boy]

A mate of mine worked as a mechanic atthe local Vauxhall agent and when out on a road test would call in and take me for a spin. Fastest car at the time would have been a Ventora with the 3.3 L engine - most 1.6 engined cars of today would run rings round them, but then they seemed pretty quick.

[Nereus]

vauxhall Cresta PA

Some interesting cars parked around the Cresta. Directly to the front of it is a Rover P6 and to the left an MG GT by the looks of it. Behind it to the left is a Mk2 Consul and another MG.

But, what is the two tone coloured car directly behing it? Obviously a Rootes Group, but which one?

[Dannie Boy]

vauxhall Cresta PA

Some interesting cars parked around the Cresta. Directly to the front of it is a Rover P6 and to the left an MG GT by the looks of it. Behind it to the left is a Mk2 Consul and another MG.

But, what is the two tone coloured car directly behing it? Obviously a Rootes Group, but which one?

It's actually a Riley 1.5.

[STEVE G]

The grill does look like a Riley.

[Dannie Boy]

Wrong post

[Dannie Boy]

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Riley 1.5
Wolseley 1500

1965 Riley 1.5 Saloon
Manufacturer BMC
Production 1957-1965
39,568 (Riley)
103,394 (Wolseley)
Assembly United Kingdom
Victoria Park, Australia [1]
Predecessor Riley RME/Wolseley 15/50
Successor Riley Kestrel/Wolseley 1100/1300
Class midsize car
Body style 4-door saloon
Engine 1489 cc L B-Series Straight-4
Transmission 4-speed manual
synchromesh on top 3 ratios[2]
Wheelbase 86 in (2,184 mm)[3]
Length 152 in (3,861 mm))[4]
Width 60.5 in (1,537 mm)[4]
Height 59.5 in (1,511 mm)[4]
Curb weight 2,072 lb (940 kg)
Related Morris Major
Austin Lancer


1961 Wolseley 1500 Saloon


1959 Riley 1.5


Riley 1.5 LHD Dashboard


Early (left) & Late (right) Badges
The Riley One-Point-Five and similar Wolseley 1500 were motor vehicles based on the Morris Minor floorpan, suspension and steering but fitted with the larger 1489 cc B-Series engine and MG Magnette gearbox. Launched in 1957, the twins were differentiated by nearly 20 hp (15 kW), the Riley having twin SU carburettors giving it the most power at 68 hp (50 kW). The Wolseley was released in April of that year, while the Riley appeared in November, directly after the 1957 London Motor Show.[5]
The Series II model came out in May 1960. The most notable external difference was the hidden boot and bonnet hinges. Interior storage was improved with the fitting of a full width parcel shelf directly beneath the facia.[5]
The Wolseley also had a Series III launched in October 1961 which featured a revised grille and rear lights.
In October 1962 the car received the more robust crank, bearing and other details of the larger 1,622 cc unit now being fitted in the Austin Cambridge and its "Farina" styled clones. Unlike the Farina models, however, the Wolseley 1500 and Riley one-point-five retained the 1,489 cc engine size with which they had been launched back in 1957.[5]
Production ended in 1965 with 39,568 Rileys and 103,394 Wolseleys made.[6]
Contents [hide]
1 Engines
2 Differences
3 Performance
4 Australian production
5 North American Exports
6 Running Changes
7 References
8 External links
Engines [edit]

1.2 L (1200 cc) B-Series I4, Irish Market only.
1.5 L (1489 cc) B-Series I4, 62 hp (46 kW)
Differences [edit]

The One-Point-Five and its 1500 sibling had a number of differences, with the Wolseley generally being the less well-equipped model:
Engine - The Riley benefitted from dual SU H4 Carburettors while the Wolseley received only one.
Exterior - The front panel and grille looks similar on both cars, but is different. The stainless trim along the side of the cars is different, as well.
Dashboard - Both cars received wood dashboards. While the Riley had a full complement of gauges (speedometer, tachometer, and temp/oil/fuel) placed directly in front of the driver, the Wolseley made do with only the speedometer and temp/oil/fuel gauges, which were placed in the center of the dashboard.
Brakes - The Riley was equipped with a larger Girling braking system, while the Wolseley received a smaller Lockheed system. The Girling brakes on the Riley One-Point-Five were often sought out by Morris Minor owners looking a way to upgrade their brakes.
Performance [edit]

In its day the Riley was successfully raced and rallied and can still be seen today in historical sporting events.
A Wolseley 1500 was tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1957. It was found to have a top speed of 76.7 mph (123.4 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 24.8 seconds. A fuel consumption of 36.6 miles per imperial gallon (7.72 L/100 km; 30.5 mpg-US) was recorded. The test car cost £758 including taxes of £253.[4]
Australian production [edit]

BMC Australia produced the Wolseley 1500 in Australia from 1958.[7] It was built alongside BMC Australia's own versions of this design, the Morris Major and Austin Lancer.[7] The Major and Lancer were less luxurious and had many notable differences from the Wolseley.[7] The 1500 was discontinued in 1959 and substantially revised "Series 2" models of the Major and Lancer were released in the same year.[7] In 1962 the Lancer and Major were replaced by the Morris Major Elite which was powered by a 1622cc engine.[7]
North American Exports [edit]

1959 Series I Riley One-Point-Fives were exported to North America by BMC in an attempt to capitalize on the growing imported car market. While not a sales success, a number of the cars remain on the road in the hands of collectors.
Running Changes [edit]

The badging for the One-Point-Five was changed early on in Series I production, after car number 4304 and before 6353. The earlier cars have smaller badges on the front wings, while the later cars use the same badges on the wings and the boot lid. The typeface is also different.
References [edit]

[Nereus]

BMC Australia produced the Wolseley 1500 in Australia from 1958.[

I had it as a Wolsely, so it appears it was not called that in Oz? We did have the early post war Rileys.

[Dannie Boy]

BMC Australia produced the Wolseley 1500 in Australia from 1958.[

I had it as a Wolsely, so it appears it was not called that in Oz? We did have the early post war Rileys.

I think the difference is the badge, the Wolsey had a small Wolsey name in the grill that lit up when the lights were on

[Nereus]

This was a nice car in it`s time:

img2.jpg (158.19 KiB) Viewed 443 times

[Dannie Boy]

This was a nice car in it`s time:

img2.jpg

Looks like a Cadillac from the 60's or late 50's?