Armstrong Siddeley Heritage Trust
Wolseley Siddeley
Wolseley, under the direction of Herbert Austin, built its first car in 1899. It had a single-cylinder 3hp horizontal engine and was a successful car, winning its class in the 1900 1000-mile trial. A series of motorcars ranging from 5 to 24hp were in production when they agreed to build the Siddeley Autocars in 1902.
It quickly became apparent that Siddeley Autocars had found favour with the motoring public mainly because of their fashionable vertical engines. Soon, model for model, they were outselling the Wolseley products. The company directors realised the need to move to vertical engines, but Austin was wedded to the horizontal principle. As a result of Austin's intransigence, the director made Siddeley an offer that he couldn't refuse, with his company absorbed into the Wolseley business. This affront caused Austin to resign, with Siddeley becoming the Managing Director.
1903 30hp Wolseley
1906 12hp Wolseley Siddeley
1904 6hp Wolseley
The outside photos are examples of Austin-designed Wolseleys; the sloping bonnet accommodating the horizontal engine and the wrap-around tube radiators are evident. The central photo shows the upright radiator required for the upright engine.
Siddeley lost no time moving from the horizontal engine to the upright model, and by 1907, all Wolseley Siddeleys followed this pattern. The following images show the different models available to the public. Full technical details can be found at the foot of this page.
Introduced in 1905, this 15hp was the first car to carry the Wolseley Siddeley name.
1907 side entrance10hp Wolseley Siddeley.
1906 40hp Wolseley Siddeley Landaulette body by Howes and Son of Norwich
1906 25hp Wolseley Three Quarter Landaulette COACHWORK BY VICTORIA CARRIAGE WORKS, LONDON
1907 18hp Wolseley Siddeley with a Hooper Single Laundalette body.
1907 30hp Wolseley Siddeley Tourer with a Cape Hood Credit Bonhams
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1909 14hp Wolseley Siddeley with a Roi-Des-Belges Tourer body.
Wolseley Siddeley also began producing commercial vehicles, including taxi cabs, trucks, omnibuses and ambulances. Very few, if any, of these vehicles have survived to the present day, but here are a few period photos.
By 1908, Wolseley Siddeley was one of the leading UK manufacturers of motor cars and commercial vehicles. However, the Board of Directors was concerned about the lack of profitability, with little or no dividends being paid to shareholders. The problems arose because manufacturing was spread across facilities in Crayford, Kent, and Birmingham; the solution proposed was that all manufacturing be located at the Birmingham plant and that the type of vehicles being produced be consolidated. After some heated exchange of views, John Siddeley tendered his resignation, later joining the Deasy Company.
Click on the table to expand it
The 10, 14 & 18hp (Standard) are fitted with 3 forward speeds and reverse.
18-h.p. {Type De-Luxe}, 20, 40 and 45-h.p. cars are fitted with 4 forward speeds and reverse.
Lubrication on 10 and 14-h.p. types is by gravity; on the other types oil is distributed by mechanical lubricator.
Standard ignition is High Tension Electric by means of accumulator and coil for 10, 14 and 18hp {Standard} types. On all other types Magneto ignition with supplementary accumulator and coil are both fitted as standard. Should Magneto ignition be fitted on these latter types, £10 will be allowed.
The carburetter is arranged on each type of car to work with spirit of .760 density.
Detachable flange rims suitable for air inflated tyres can be fitted at an extra price of -approximately - £4 per pair including accessories.