Wolseley 10.5 hp four-cylinder motor car, 1924.

One of Britain's earliest car manufacturers, Wolseley developed out of an engineering busines established by Frederick Wolseley (1837-1899), and originally involved in the manufacturing of sheep-shearing equipment. Herbert Austin (1866-1941), best known for establishing the motor company that bears his name worked for Wolseley and designed their early cars. Wolseley cars were among the first to be put into large-scale production in Britain, with the company leading car manufacturing figures during the Edwardian period. Car production resumed in 1920 after World War I, with the company becoming increasingly known for its up-market luxury cars. Wolseley became part of the group owned by William Morris, later Lord Nuffield, in 1927.