Buzzing Hornets...

When Wolseley launched their lightweight six cylinder Hornet models in April 1930 it was apparent from the outset that the engine/chassis combination was likely to be a very successful pairing. The small coachbuilding concerns certainly thought so and by the late summer of that year had begun to produce open-topped special versions of the car which were, by the standards of the day, very quick indeed. It wasn't long before the enthusiasts that bought them took their cars along to Brooklands to compete in clubman events, while others signed up to take part in the famous trials and rallies run by organisations such as the MCC and RAC. The Hornets performed well and won plenty of awards in the hands of of some of the well known driver names of the period including M. A. McEvoy, V. W. Derrington, C. H. Livesey and J. A. M. Patrick. The images to be seen in the gallery below capture some of the excitement and drama to be had when competing in these relatively powerful, yet nimble lightweight cars during the first half of the thirties decade.