On 500Es and M5s, Metros and sleepers - Do I need help?

[SVX]

I'm thoroughly expecting to be flamed for this, but after a rather splendid afternoon and evening, my mind has turned again to the ultimate sleeper conundrum - and perusing PH, as you do in a relaxed fashion, I happened across the aforementioned threads and had this thought.

How about taking the shell of an Austin Princess and replacing the wheezy 2.2l six pot with something a bit fruity, perhaps a BMW era Land Rover 328 lump, or dare I say it, a TVR Speed Six, and build the ultimate sleeper, I know this is in the vein of the Allegro with the Honda V6 lump, but a search couldn't find anything on the humble wedge...

Could it be done? The idea of wafting past far more impressive machinery in an old BL Wedge holds a certain appeal......

[pilchardthecat]

I prefer the Wolseley version over the Princess.

Were they RWD i don't recall?

The 2.2 was a straight 6 so the engine bay will be a nice size

[CinqAbarth]

pilchardthecat said:

I prefer the Wolseley version over the Princess.

Were they RWD i don't recall?

No, all th Leyland wedges were FWD, regardless of badge.

I'm sure the 6-pot was transversely mounted.

[SVX]

My Dad had a Wolseley 2200 in a fetching shade of maroon and rust in the early eighties... and for some reason I seem to remember a transmission tunnel in the rear passenger cell...

A few minutes googling does indeed reveal that the 2200 was FWD, but I reckon a subtle RWD conversion would be possible.

Terry and June on NOS anyone?

[anonymous-user]

I'd personally argue that an Austin Princess is not even close to being a sleeper, let alone the "ultimate" one.

When is the last time you saw an Austin Princess? It's not exactly a car that is going to fly under most people's radar, even if it is for all the wrong reasons.

[SVX]

Simps, you are indeed correct, ultimate sleeper is perhaps the wrong term, but the idea of a car from the BL stable that was, and still is reviled, to be equipped with a vicious power-plant, made to handle and sent out to embarrass far worthier machinery appeals to my somewhat twisted sense of humour.