Jim Jarron's Motoring Pages

In 1961, BMC added two luxury models to the Mini range: the Riley Elf and Wolseley Hornet. The Elf and Hornet both had their respective traditional grilles and a longer tail than the other Minis (it was 8½ inches longer) incorporating extended rear wings with tail fins and a top hinged boot lid. The Hornet was powered by the standard A series 848cc engine but had extra soundproofing and there were Cooper instruments which were mounted in a walnut centre panel. The Hornet’s seats were covered in heavy cloth.

March of 1963 saw the introduction of the Hornet Mark II, with the engine size increased to 998cc. Power was up from 34 to 38 bhp, giving the car a top speed of nearly 80mph. The following year Hydrolastic suspension replaced the original rubber cone arrangement.

In 1966, with the coming of the Mark III Elf and Hornet, production moved to the Austin factory at Longbridge where both cars continued to be made until 1969. They were now fitted with the remote control gear-change as used in Mini-Coopers, had wind-up door windows and face level adjustable fresh-air eyeball type ventilation as found on the later Minis.

A convertible version of the Hornet was offered in the UK market by Crayford Engineering. There were 57 (sounds like an odd number but read on to see which company the promotion was for and you'll see why) of these Crayford convertibles offered as prizes in a competition run by Heinz Soups. The Heinz Hornets had additional features including: a fully equipped picnic case; an electric kettle and point in the boot; a woollen tartan picnic rug; a personalised monogram on the door and a "Ladies' freshen-up compartment" stocked with Max Factor products.