1904 Wolseley 12HP Twin Cylinder Rear Entrance Tonneau
Registration No. FF13
Chassis No. 1052
Engine No. 234/12
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Chain Drive
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Weather protection (Windscreen/Hood)
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Electric Starting
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Original Number Plate
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Stepney Wheel
The Wolseley Tool & Motor Car Company had been absorbed into the mighty Vickers, Sons & Maxim empire in 1901 and their gifted senior engineer, Herbert Austin, was an advocate of the transverse horizontal engine as featured in this car.
The 12hp Wolseley, introduced in December 1903 and replacing the 10hp model, featured a twin-cylinder engine, forward mounted and set between the bonnet sides which are the cooling elements for the radiator. The engine featured detachable cylinder heads containing the vertical valves (atmospheric inlets) and cast iron cylinder liners fitting into the aluminium crank chamber and water jacket.
The chassis frame was pressed from the highest quality Vickers steel and the car was famed for its 'excellence both in design and workmanship.' Production in this form continued until late 1905.
Chassis no. 1052 is first recorded in the Shop Order Book on 21st October 1904 where it is noted it was to be built for stock (Shop order no. 15042). Factory fitted equipment included Michelin tyres on the front and De Nevers on the rear, Wolseley coil, self-locking change speed lever, brass fittings, plain bearings to back wheels, 10 tooth sprocket and flat steering wheel. It was destined for Wolseley Agent, Sir H.B. Robertson of Corwen, for his customer Lt.Col. Frank Kane of Fronheulog, Llandderfel, Corwen.
An old buff log book tells us that the car was owned by Spark & Co. Ltd of Oxted, Surrey in 1931 and in 1946, while in the ownership of one F.L. Wiginton in Surrey, the car became known to The Veteran Car Club. It was dated in 1948 and a 1904 date was awarded (Certificate no. 98). The log book tells us that the car was regularly licensed in the 1960s. FF 13 was subsequently owned by noted collector and veteran motorist Roger Gates in 1970 and later by collector/ace restorer Tony Smallbone.
The car in recent years has been toured substantial and has received the fitment of electric starting, which added to its Windscreen and Hood, offer the complete set of items most people look for in a London to Brighton vehicle.
In January 2025 the car came to NP Veteran Engineering where it received work to the Waterpump and water system, carburettor, fuel lines, valves, ignition, wiring and more.
This highly original and relatively quick English veteran is offered with old and new type registration documents, starting and running instructions, copy of a period handbook, a photocopy of a duplicate dating certificate. With Chain Drive, Electric Starting, Hood, Windscreen and Original Number Plate, this Wolseley is the ultimate London to Brighton Vehicle.
