In October 1961, a completely new upmarket line in Minis appeared with the Riley Elf and Wolseley Hornet. Like the Austin and Morris Minis, these variants were almost identical except for detail trim and distinctive new upright radiator grilles. The new grilles lifted up in company with their bonnet and although they represented an attractive styling exercise, they did little for engine access and frequently proved a hindrance to people working underneath. Bangs on the head became the price to pay for being fashion conscious. Stronger bumpers like those on BMC’s bigger saloons were fitted front and rear with additional embellishments, such as a chromium-plated waist strip, window frames, bright wing trims, and bigger hub caps.
The big difference at the back, apart from a wraparound bumper, was that there was now a recognisable squared-off boot that made the cars 8.5 ins longer than standard. The capacity of this new boot was 6 cu ft – enough to cover a large suitcase and various odds and ends. The bootlid now lifted up, rather than dropped down to provide a similar platform area. The overall carrying capacity, therefore, remained virtually the same, except that bulky luggage could now be made more secure. To be fair, BMC were quite justified in not encouraging owners to carry a great deal more luggage lest they upset the balance of such a small car.
The Mini-Cooper style colour schemes were adopted outside, and the interiors were much plusher with better-padded leather-faced seats. A full-width wooden dashboard contained lockers on either side of the Elf, the slightly cheaper Hornet retaining an instrument panel more like the Super. Better quality carpet was used on both new models and the doors had carpet lining to help reduce drumming. Various items, such as the gear lever – still the original Mini ‘bent walking stick’ rather than the Cooper’s remote change – were chromium-plated.
Overall, these changes raised the weight by 190 lb to 1520 lb, with the result that, at first, the Elf and Hornet were slower than standard Minis and the braking ability more marginal when coping with the 14% increase.
Soon after the Mini Super was introduced, the far more upmarket Wolseley Hornet and Riley Elf arrived with restyled front and back, far superior trim and stronger bumpers. Oddly, these cars did not have overriders at first - possibly to give them a more elegant appearance. They also featured additional chrome embellishment round the waistline, plus for the first time on a standard Mini, a bonnet lock. In April 1962 the Mk I models were fitted with substantial bumper overriders.
The Riley Elf was reasonably well received by the British motoring press, even in its early 848cc from. George Bishop, editor of the New Small Car Magazine, pointed out in September 1962: ‘Heads turn when you drive the Elf. People recognise it as some rich relation of the BMC twins, but are puzzled by the boot at the back, the chrome waistband, and the cloud of cigar smoke around it. Outside, the Elf has a differently shaped bonnet and the traditional Riley radiator shell that lifts up with the bonnet, all ready to bang your head on. At the rear it has a boot with six cubic feet capacity which will take many odds and ends or one large suitcase and few odd and ends.
The Elf, a creature which surely should be light a airy, is in fact 190 lb heavier than a standard Mini … the boot lid is decidedly heavy to lift and, by the way, ready to snap down like a Zambesi crocodile on the unwary. Some counterbalancing would be a good thing here.
Seats are definitely Pullman class in comparison with the third class tourist of the ordinary Mini, having cloth to sit on and lean against, with what looks like real cow leather where the wear comes. Unfortunately the deeper seats reduce headroom slightly, and presumably to give an illusion of more room in the rear seats, the front seats do not travel back as far as in the standard Mini, thus reducing the driver’s legroom. No doubt the stop could be moved.’
Criticisms aside, Bishop went on to explain:
‘Even in these days of mechanical marvels, a road-testing machine had not yet been devised. So no matter how many stopwatches, fifth wheel check speedometers, Tapley brake meters, and other tester’s aids are used, it is still the impression the car makes on the man which comes out in the test report.
If the man and the car do not get on, no matter how good the figures, he will still convey to you that he just didn’t like it. So let us say from the start that I liked the Riley, and had a great deal of fun driving it.
The finish is better than on the cheaper Mini versions, and the interior, with better seats, carpets and all that wood and leather-like stuff, is cosier. Getting in and out of Minis, like finding vacant parking meters (which were just being introduced in Britain) is an acquired art, but you don’t think about it once you have learned it.’
Bishop must have been lucky with his 848 cc Elf, registered 410 TLU, because it proved faster than a normal Mini at 75 mph, although the 0-60 time was as high as 32 seconds. Fuel consumption, however, worked out at 42 mpg! The Motor endorsed Bishop’s comments in their test of the similar Wolseley Hornet in the same month, although their example, registered 991 NWL, could attain only 71 mph, although it had a 0-60 time of 28 seconds with the 23.8 second standing quarter mile time. Fuel consumption was 36 mpg.
General data (998cc)
Engine 4 cylinder, overhead valves Bore 2.543 in Stroke 3.00 in Cubic Capacity 60.96 cu in Compression ration 8.3:1 Tyre size 5.20 x 10 Turning circle 31ft 7in Wheelbase 6ft 8 5/32in Overall length 10ft 10 5/16in Overall width 4ft 7 1/2in Overall height 4ft 5in Fuel tank capacity 5 1/2 gallon Weight 1466lb
