E6 Debate

[JPB]

.

[suffolkpete]

Nothing wrong with the E6, I've owned two. They only give trouble if allowed to overheat or run low on oil.

[needstlc]

Agreed, Pete. My experience of this engine is that it does everything required of it well, and mated to the slush box it's a very appealing combination. I'd go for that if space and time weren't at such a premium, but Noggin looks as though a buyer will be along pdq.

All the best.

[JPB]

In my defence; I've never been called upon to mend one of these mythological, perfect examples of which you speak, only the many warranty returns and low mileage failures that came in with cracked blocks, warped heads, oil pump failures and sheared engine mount lugs among their many other joyful little characteristics.

I suspect that the remaining ones are either living in preserved cars and don't have to put in the miles for the company car users and later the cheap banger market which led to such a disproportionate failure rate back in the '80s, or rebuilt examples that have benefitted from modern tribology and coolant technology.
Certainly they always sound sweet enough when I see them in such fine cars as this locally owned and shewn Austin Kimberley:


Or this equally gently used Wolseley 6:

as also seen regularly at local events.

Back when I was with IM though, and working with some of their ex-BL premises' workshops that had yet to supply everyone with a Subaru, I used to have bad dreams about the scrapped blocks and the heads that were beyond help as a result of the usual cracks radiating from the exhaust valve seats.

Don't get me wrong, I love the ADO71 but it was no coincidence that AVG99T, my own example, was an 1800 B-series version.

[suffolkpete]

Or this equally gently used Wolseley 6:

as also seen regularly at local events.

That looks more like an 18/85 to me.

[JPB]

1) It's far too new to be an 18/85 and 2) Read the DVLA's information on it:

Vehicle enquiry
The enquiry is complete.The vehicle details for GBR 509N are:
Date of Liability 20 08 2010
Date of First Registration 01 10 1974
Year of Manufacture 1974
Cylinder Capacity (cc) 2227cc
CO2 Emissions Not Available
Fuel Type PETROL
Export Marker N
Vehicle Status Unlicensed
Vehicle Colour RED
Vehicle Type Approval Not Available
This vehicle can be licensed at a DVLA Local Office without the V5C Registration Certificate
Vehicle Excise Duty rate for vehicle
6 Months Rate £118.25
12 Months Rate £215.00


It's a Wolseley Six. And yes, the date on the phone was correct, it had been brought to that show on a flatbed as it's off the road just now as a result of the inevitable.

[needstlc]

The twin small grilles alongside the chrome grille are giveaways, although I thought headlamp bezels were usually black on Sixes - might be wrong. Either way, I've had a Six and a Princess, similar to Noggin but in maroon, and covered long distances and pretty high mileages with no problems. I lie - the window winders used to snap, but that's the case with all BL products of the era.

[suffolkpete]

The headlamp bezels should be black on a Six, as should the grille. I realise that it is too new to be an 18/85, but age related plates were not issued in those days so it could have been an import.

[Mrotwoman]

...and talk about putting a dampener on someones sale John!

Best of luck finding a new owner for Noggin,it looks lovely

[JPB]

Sorry, if that's how the o/p sees it.