Description
Wolseley Viper Tool Trunk 1917-1931.
Little is know about this trunk and we have had no luck with any research.
The Wolseley Viper is a British-built, high-compression derivative of the Hispano Suiza HS-8 liquid-cooled V-8 engine, built under licence by Wolseley Motors during World War I.
The engine was used in many RAF and previously Royal Flying Corp planes.
Interstingly the trunk is the light blue colour of the RFC flag.
After WW1 the Wolseley Viper racing car was evolved by Capt. Alastair Miller when he held the position of Competitions Manager to Wolseley Motors Ltd. Capt. A. G. L. J. Miller, son of Sir William Miller, Bt. of Glenlet, who later ascended to the baronetcy, was a very versatile racing motorist.
The Wolseley Viper was ready for the 1921 Autumn Brooklands Meeting, along with the first Wolseley “Moth.” Miller brought it out, in its iron grey finish again very similar to the colour of this trunk.
Later again the Wolseley 16/45 was a mid- size car, the Wolseley 1927 brought out as the first six-cylinder car with overhead camshaft.and later a uprated version called the Viper.
Its six-cylinder inline engine had a displacement of 2,025 cc with bore and stroke of 65 x 101mm. The car had a wheelbase of 2,972 mm. Its structure was 4,445 mm long, 1,791 mm wide and its chassis (without body) weighed 914 kg. Its top speed was 95 km / h.
Only in the model year 1931 was there a stronger version of the 16/45 hp called Wolseley Viper . The otherwise identical car was equipped with two SU carburetors, while the 16/45 hp had only one.
This trunk is undoubtably linked to the Wolseley engine range but when is a mystery. I believe it to be machine made dovetail construction so I would suggest the later 1930's vehicles.
Nonetheless this is an amazing piece of Automotive history and unlikely to be seen again
It measures 622x280x400mm tall
