Vauxhall Wyvern
 Vauxhall LIX Wyvern Saloon |
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| Manufacturer | Vauxhall |
|---|---|
| Production | 1948-1957 |
| Assembly | United Kingdom Australia |
| Predecessor | Vauxhall Twelve (I) |
| Successor | Vauxhall Victor |
| Related | Vauxhall Velox, Vauxhall Cresta |
The Vauxhall Wyvern is a medium-sized family car introduced by Vauxhall in 1948 as a successor to the Vauxhall 12. The name comes from the mythical beast the Wyvern and may be due to a misidentification of the heraldic Griffin on the Vauxhall badge.
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Wyvern LIX (1948–1951) [edit]
| Manufacturer | Vauxhall |
|---|---|
| Production | 1948–1951 55,409 made[1] |
| Predecessor | Vauxhall 12 |
| Body style | 4-door saloon 2-door tourer (Australia) |
| Engine | 1442 cc Straight-4 35 bhp (26 kW) |
| Wheelbase | 97.75 in (2,483 mm)[2] |
| Length | 164.5 in (4,178 mm) [2] |
| Width | 62 in (1,575 mm)[2] |
| Height | 65 in (1,700 mm) [2] |
The L series Vauxhall Wyvern along with the Velox were Vauxhall's first post-war new models; incorporating American influence, it started production in September 1948 and finished in July 1951. A vast amount of these were for export to help the British economy. The Wyvern was fitted with a 1442 cc four-cylinder engine with 35 bhp with a top speed of 62 mph. The optional extras available were a radio/heater/foglight these vehicles are a forgotten classic with very few surviving.
Wyvern EIX (1951 - 1957) [edit]
 Vauxhall Velox EIX (1955-57 grille). The Wyvern shared its body with the 6-cylinder Velox. |
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| Manufacturer | Vauxhall |
|---|---|
| Production | 1951-1957 107,588 made[1] |
| Body style | 4-door saloon 2-door convertible (Australia) 2-door coupe utility (Australia) |
| Engine | 1442 cc Straight-4 35 bhp (26 kW) (1951 - 1952) 1507 cc Straight-4 40 bhp (30 kW) or 48 bhp (36 kW) (1952 - 1957) |
| Wheelbase | 103 in (2,616 mm)[3] |
| Width | 67 in (1,702 mm) (1951 - 1952)[3] 66.5 in (1,689 mm) (1952 - 1957) |
| Height | 63 in (1,600 mm) [3] |
In 1951 a completely new Wyvern was launched, featuring a modern Ponton, three-box shape in a monocoque body. A modest increase in power to 35 bhp (26 kW) permitted a claimed top speed above 62 mph (100 km/h) despite the car's increased size. As before, a more powerful Vauxhall Velox was available with the new body.
5313 were made.[1]
A year after the launch of the rebodied Wyvern the car received a new 1507 cc engine available with two different power outputs of 40 or 48 bhp (36 kW). Maximum speed rose to 72 mph (116 km/h). More performance was available from the six-cylinder Vauxhall Velox and (from 1954) Cresta versions.
The EIX series Wyvern received a new bonnet and grille in 1955, a wrap-round rear window in 1956 and another new grille in 1957.[4]
The Wyvern sold well on the UK market until its replacement with the more radically styled Vauxhall Victor FA in 1957.
A car with the 40 bhp (30 kW) engine tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1952 had a top speed of 71.6 mph (115.2 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 37.2 seconds. A fuel consumption of 30.4 miles per imperial gallon (9.29 L/100 km; 25.3 mpg-US) was recorded. The test car cost £771 including taxes.[3]
105,275 were made.[1]
Australian production [edit]
General Motors-Holden's produced a Vauxhall Wyvern model in Australia from 1938 to 1957.
H Series [edit]
GMH introduced a locally built Vauxhall Wyvern model to the Australian market in 1938, ten years prior to the use of the Wyvern name in England.[5] Based on the British Vauxhall H Series, it was produced in Sedan, Roadster, Tourer and "Caleche" body styles, the latter being a two-door roadster with a folding windscreen.[5] The Wyvern had a 94-inch wheelbase and used a 10 hp engine.[6] Production ceased in 1941 but was resumed in 1946, using pre-war tooling.[6]
L Series [edit]
The L Series Wyvern was produced from 1948 to 1951.[7] It was offered with an Australian developed Sedan body, an Australian "Caleche" Tourer body or with the English Sedan body.[7] The Australian Sedan differed from its English counterpart in having a more rounded boot and an additional side window behind the rear doors.[7]
E Series [edit]
The E Series Wyvern was produced from 1952 to 1957.[8] In addition to building a 4-door sedan, GMH developed a Vagabond 2-door convertible and a Coupe Utility.[9] 1957 was the last year for the Coupe Utility [9] and the Vagabond was not included in the facelifted E Series range released in April 1955.[10]
References [edit]
- ^ a b c d Sedgwick, Michael; Gillies (1993). A-Z of cars 1945–1970. UK: Bay View Books. ISBN 1-870979-39-7.
- ^ a b c d "The Vauxhall Wyvern". The Motor. October 4, 1950.
- ^ a b c d "The Vauxhall Wyvern (short stroke)". The Motor. September 10, 1952.
- ^ Michael Sedgwick & Mark Gillies, A-Z of Cars 1945-1970, Haymarket Publishing Ltd, 1986, page 212
- ^ a b Norm Darwin, 100 Years of GM in Australia, 2002, page 130
- ^ a b Norm Darwin, The History of Holden in Australia since 1917, 1983, page 79
- ^ a b c Norm Darwin, 100 Years of GM in Australia, 2002, page 133
- ^ Norm Darwin, 100 Years of GM in Australia, 2002, pages 134-136
- ^ a b Norm Darwin, 100 Years of GM in Australia, 2002, page 134
- ^ Norm Darwin, 100 Years of GM in Australia, 2002, page 135
Further reading [edit]
- Culshaw, David & Horrobin, Peter: The Complete Catalogue of British Cars 1895–1975, Veloce Publishing plc., Dorchester (1997), ISBN 1-874105-93-6
External links [edit]
- This article incorporates information from the equivalent article on the German Wikipedia.
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