Jim Jarron's Motoring Pages

In 1961, BMC added two luxury models to the Mini range: the Riley Elf and Wolseley Hornet. The Elf and Hornet both had their respective traditional grilles and a longer tail than the other Minis, incorporating extended rear wings with tail fins and a top hinged boot lid.

Wolseley Hornet Mark I

In an article in the Autocar of 13 October 1961, the cars were described as follows: "Radiator shells that bear no relation either to the shape or location of the radiator have been with us for so long that few purists would find fault with the miniature shells which have been designed for the Elf and Hornet. Chromium plated and bearing the respective marque names, they have plated side extensions forming surrounds for the headlamps and flashers. At the rear the box shaped boot extension is a further distinguishing feature of the cars. Other external decorations are a bright plated strip around the waistline and across the scuttle, and a short chromium bonnet centre strip. In addition, metal finished plastic locking strips are used in the windscreen and rear-light sealing rubbers. Wrap around rear bumpers of deep fore-and-aft section are common to both models, and wheel trims are standard fittings."

The additional boot space gave the cars 2.5 cubic feet more room than the standard Mini, at the expense of an extra 8.5 inches to the length of the cars, the Hornet and Elf being 10 ft 8.75 ins. long as opposed to the 10 ft 0.25 ins. of the Mini. A recirculating heater, screenwashers, roof lamps and a wind-tone horn were standard; a Smiths fresh-air heater was available as an extra. The Elf had a small burr walnut instrument panel, and the Hornet only had an oval nacelle. The instruments, though, were similar; a central combined speedometer and petrol guage, with charge and main beam warning lights, flanked by a water temperature guage and an oil pressure guage. The seats were edged in leather, with the facing material (which was also used for the door interior trim and front parcel shelf lining) being heavily textured cloth in the Elf and a plastic material simulating cloth texture in the Hornet. The Mark I cars were powered by the basic single carburettor 848 c.c. engine, which developed 34 b.h.p. at 5,500 r.p.m.

The Autocar article quoted above summed up by saying that "it is apparent from the specification that the Wolseley Hornet and Riley Elf will satisfy those small-car buyers who put a premium on finish and comprehensive equipment at the expense of some performance due to extra weight. Enthusiasts for the two marques may welcome the opportunity to add a second car to their stable, or to do their daily motoring behind a familiar radiator badge."

March of 1963 saw the introduction of the Hornet Mark II, with the engine size increased to 998cc. This was achieved by using a Morris 1100 block and cylinder head and the crankshaft dimensions of the discontinued 948 c.c. A Series engine. Power was up from 34 to 38 bhp, giving the car a top speed of nearly 80mph; a Hornet Mark II tested by the Autocar in 1963 recording a one-way best top speed of 78 m.p.h and a mean maximum of 77.2 m.p.h. Sound proofing was improved, with thick felt over the engine bulkhead and underfelt for the fitted carpets. Brakes were slightly larger, with the front brakes (now operating as two leading shoes instead of the previous leading and trailing arrangement) being 1.5 in. wide compared to the Mark I's 1.25 in. Leather was now used for the wearing surfaces of the seats, the rest of the trim being p.v.c. The following year Hydrolastic suspension replaced the original rubber cone arrangement and diaphragm spring clutched were fitted.

Wolseley Hornet Mark II

In 1966, with the coming of the Mark III Elf and Hornet, production moved to the Austin factory at Longbridge where both cars continued to be made until 1969. They were now fitted with the remote control gear-change as used in Mini-Coopers, had wind-up door windows fitted with concealed hinges. The Mark III Hornet and Elf had face level adjustable fresh-air eyeball type ventilation as found on the later Minis. October 1967 saw the introduction of automatic transmission as an option for the additional cost of £75 on top of the basic £525 price tag. Both cars were discontinued in 1969.

Wolseley Hornet Mark III

A convertible version of the Hornet was offered in the UK market by Crayford Engineering. There were 57 (sounds like an odd number but read on to see which company the promotion was for and you'll see why) of these Crayford convertibles offered as prizes in a competition run by Heinz Soups. The Heinz Hornets had additional features including: a fully equipped picnic case; an electric kettle and point in the boot; a woollen tartan picnic rug; a personalised monogram on the door and a"Ladies' freshen-up compartment" stocked with Max Factor products.

Viking Hornet Sport

Another variant on the Crayford convertible theme was the Viking Hornet Sport, which had an increased compression ratio, a "flowed head" and a special exhaust system for improved performance. Inside, the cars had an SPQR remote-controlled gearchange, an organ throttle pedal of cast aluminium, a wood rimmed steering wheel, an adjusting link for varying the rake of the steering column and a Smiths electronic rev. counter, mounted on top of the steering column. Additional extras available on the Viking Hornet were hard competition brake linings and a vacuum servo unit and an extra £5 would buy you a plastic cover for the folded hood. The Viking Hornet was only available in one colour: charcoal grey, with a white side flash; the hood was black. Various stages of tuning were to be had, with the maximum speed available being 107 m.p.h.