The vogue for creating small cars of big performance pre-dates today's hot hatches by many decades, of which the Wolseley Hornets of 1930 to 1935 are ample proof.

The trick was to insert six-cylinder OHC engines of 1271cc into unsuspecting modified Morris Minor chassis and then provide them with relatively lightweight bodies and wheels to create cars with considerably more get-up-and-go.

The Hornet specials, of which 2307 were made between 1932 and 1934, were even more nimble, courtesy of higher compression engines fed by twin carburettors.

A number of special coupé bodies were built on Hornet chassis by coachbuilders, perhaps most notably including Salmons & Sons.

However, few were as lovely as Wolseley's own factory coupé body, which was completed with many attractive luxury features including wind-up windows, twin door pockets on each door, a sun visor, wind deflectors and faux landau irons.

Car number 113133 dates to 1933 and carries a supplier's plate for the well-known Londo...