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One for all those old car buffs out there! Can anyone give me some advice on driving a vintage 1940's Wolseley

I'm standing in for a screen driver tomorrow and believe I'll be using a '40s Wolseley. The oldest thing I've driven previously is a 1960 Beetle.

Other than the obvious (i.e. no power steering or power brakes!), is there anything I should watch out for that's hard to get used to or very different from a more modern car?

7 Answers

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  • Joe M
    Lv 4
    1 decade ago
    Favourite answer

    You've pretty much got it.

    No power steering - though they usually kept the steering wheels a bit larger to give you more leverage - once you get moving I actually prefer manual steering (i've got a '65 mustang). The only time it really sucks is if you are in a tight parking lot or trying to parallel park. You feel much more in touch with the road when you are cruising though.

    No power brakes - there are really no advantages to this, most old cars have a single chamber master cylinder, so if one brake fails, they all fail. Make sure to pump them up from time to time (I tend to just drive with one foot on the brake, and check it lightly from time to time to make sure it won't just go to the floor if I stomp on it).

    Good luck - and be careful!!

  • 1 decade ago

    Hi, you don't mention which model it is but some models used the same engine/ gearbox as the Morris 10 & MG TC! Either 1104cc or 1250cc. The main differences will be - no synchro on 1st gear (if it makes a lot of noise getting !st on the move, double de-clutch!).

    The electrics do not benefit from an alternator so in bad weather using lights, heater & wipers all at the same time will flatten the battery on a long journey!

    Indicators would be semaphore not 'flashers' - a thump on the door pillar may be needed to get them to work!

    The main difference you will notice is that the car is heavy by modern standards but the engine is 'gutless' - not a sporting machine!

    Good luck and enjoy the experience - then be grateful for 70 years of development! Robert.

  • Doug K
    Lv 5
    1 decade ago

    Well, I hope you are familiar with right-hand drive cars. Other than that, the car may have mechanical brakes instead of hydraulic, so braking takes a bit more pedal pressure and can have a tendency to lock up easy. Also, I am not sure if the gears on this car are helical cut or spur cut, so it may be difficult to shift in and out of first gear.

    Good luck!

  • 1 decade ago

    check the brakes are alright and the gears go in alright and try not to over rev the car aswell. Also the heaters arent very good in them either. Apart from that happy driving.

  • ?
    Lv 4
    5 years ago

    while i replaced into little we had a sort of completely 70's autos with carpet and drapes... We used to take street journeys and that i undergo in recommendations my dad asking me to deliver him up beers from the back cooler as he replaced into making use of, with little young toddlers interior the vehicle and staying up for over 40 8 hours on end to get the place we've been happening time! remarkable! relatively remarkable!

  • 1 decade ago

    On a nice day, drive it slowly, carefully and keep it clean and waxed. And just for fun drive it in vintage clothing

    Source(s): ENJOY!!!!!
  • trv c
    Lv 5
    1 decade ago

    When you change gear double the clutch,if you know how.Have a nice drive

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