Speedwell A55, Wolseley, and Riley 1.5 saloons.

Upgrades and period tuning mods from Speedwell.

Performance engine conversions for these BMC cars

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I've featured a fair selection of car tuning company literature on oldclassiccar, most of which is aimed at specials builders, or people tweaking up compact saloons and sportscars to make them fly a little on the track. This Speedwell catalogue however is a little more unusual, as it is aimed more at the motorist who will be tackling the new fangled motorways, which came to prominence in the early sixties.

The stately Farinas from BMC aren't the most obvious candidates for tuning, but their B series engines also appeared under the bonnet of contemporary MGs, so there was plenty of tuning know-how around at the time. Hence this leaflet, outlining the performance kits that could be bought and fitted to these unassuming motorcars. Many British cars of the 50s and 60s were quite low geared, and had very restrictive engine and exhaust manifolding, making them less than ideal for higher speed work, which is why Speedwell thought up these tuning packages.

What is a Speedwell Engine Conversion?
"There are many methods of tuning an engine but most of them are either too costly to install or uneconomical to run. Speedwell engine kits avoid both these extremes as they are moderately priced and give a very real increase in performance throughout the speed range, coupled with complete reliability and safety. There is no increase in petrol consumption when driven normally.

Basically, twin carburettors are fitted to a redesigned cylinder head, carefully developed under dynamometer and flow rig testing. To suit all pockets and enable the owner to improve his engine in stages, the equipment is available as SPORT, GRAND TOURING or CLUBMAN 75 kit. All components have been tested by many thousands of miles of actual participation in International races and rallies, and every stage of development has been carefully checked and analysed to ensure that power increase is allied with smooth quite running, easy maintenance, good petrol economy and complete reliability."

Top speed could be increased by up to 20% by using these kits, and acceleration improved by over 30%, so the blurb states.

In addition to detailing the engine tuning mods that were available (see scan below), the catalogue also tempts the Austin A55 (and Wolseley 15/60, Riley 4/68 & 1.5 etc owners) with tasty options such as anti-roll bars, telescopic damper conversions, brake servo and anti-fade linings, straight through exhaust systems with twin chrome tail pipes, and even a full sound insulation kit. Overly low back axle gearing could be cured with a range of revised axle ratios, matched to a set of close ratio gears. Smart Speedwell water and oil gauges could also be ordered, as could the electronic rev counter (tacho). Sanor horns could be specified, either as Major (Melodious blast) or Minor (Shrill blast)! Johnson fog and reversing lamps could be purchased, as could a natty roof-mounted rally lamp, perfect for clubbie racing and nighttime navigational blasts around the lanes. Finally, safety belts, and even nylon tow ropes, were available.

If the idea of a highly tuned Austin A55 or Wolseley 15/60 appealed, but you weren't much of a mechanic yourself, you could buy one of a limited run of factory-converted cars. Available at the time was an Austin A65 (bored-out A55 engine!) de Luxe, fitted with a SPORT engine and suspension for 930 GBP. Alternatively, you could buy a Riley One-Point-Five fitted with GRAND TOURING engine and suspension mods for 900 GBP, including delivery, number plates and tax. I wonder how many of these B-Series powered saloons survive with Speedwell goodies still attached??? Several more Speedwell leaflets are featured in this period tuning companies section, including their A-Series engine upgrades, aimed at owners of Sprites and A35s.
Engine mods

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