Vauxhall 10 Saloon

What a shame the war got in the way. Vauxhall had introduced their super little 10hp in late 1937 with a most advanced chassis-less design mirroring technically sophisticated GM models overseas. Far more contemporary than the equivalent from Austin, Morris or Ford, it was highly engineered. So much so in fact that it was referred to internally as “the million pound car” – reflecting the huge investment that had gone into its design and production.

The technology went beyond the bodywork, with up-to-the-minute front suspension and a very neat OHV 1,200cc engine. Producing around 34bhp performance was never going to be startling, but its clever construction kept the overall weight down to just over 900kgs and you could still buy cars as late as the 1980s with power-to-weight ratios little better than that!

Just as production really got into gear the factory had to turn itself to making tanks for the war effort. The 10hp was made briefly post-war, but the company decided to concentrate on larger more expensive cars until the excellent Viva came along in 1963.

This nice 1937 example is being sold from a deceased estate. Purchased in 2009, the engine had already been comprehensively rebuilt and a full flow external oil filter fitted. Discrete modern indicators are a sensible addition, yet it retains its lovely original interior and was reputed to run very well prior to being parked up several years ago.  It is intended that a fresh MOT will be with the car by the time of the sale.

The modern layout and willing engine must have made the Vauxhall really stand out in its day, making this pre-war saloon a most appealing proposition.