Vauxhall Wyvern

Motor vehicle

Vauxhall Wyvern

Vauxhall Wyvern Saloon (LIX)

Overview
Manufacturer| Vauxhall (General Motors)
Production| 1948–57
Assembly| Luton, United Kingdom
Australia
Body and chassis
Related| Vauxhall Velox
Vauxhall Cresta
Chronology
Predecessor| Vauxhall 12-4
Successor| Vauxhall Victor

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.

## Wyvern LIX (1948–51)[edit]

Motor vehicle

Vauxhall Wyvern LIX

Vauxhall Wyvern LIX

Overview
Manufacturer| Vauxhall
Production| 1948–51
55,409 made[1]
Body and chassis
Body style| 4-door saloon
Related| Vauxhall Velox
Powertrain
Engine| 1,442 cc (88.0 cu in) Straight-4
35 bhp (26 kW)
Dimensions
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]
Curb weight| 1,022–1,032 kg (2,253–2,275 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor| Vauxhall 12-4

The L-series Vauxhall Wyvern, along with the Velox, were Vauxhall's first new post-war models. Incorporating American influence, the Wyvern started production in September 1948 and finished in July 1951. Many of them were exported to help the British economy. The car was fitted with a 1,442 cc (88.0 cu in) four-cylinder engine, generating 35 bhp (26 kW), with a top speed of 62 mph (100 km/h). The optional extras available were a radio, heater and foglight. The model is a forgotten classic, with very few surviving. Due to its American styling, the Wyvern resembled a "miniaturized" Chevrolet Fleetline.[3]

Australian vehicles carried the model code LBX.[4]

Vauxhall Wyvern LIX Saloon

## Wyvern EIX (1951–57)[edit]

Motor vehicle

Vauxhall Wyvern EIX

Vauxhall Wyvern EIX (1952)

Overview
Manufacturer| Vauxhall
Production| 1951-57
110,588 produced [5]
Body and chassis
Body style| 4-door saloon
2-door convertible (Australia)
2-door coupe utility (Australia)
Related| Vauxhall Velox, Vauxhall Cresta
Powertrain
Engine| 1442 cc Straight-4
35 bhp (26 kW)
(1951–52)
1508 cc Straight-4 45 bhp (34 kW)
(1952 - 1957)
Dimensions
Wheelbase| 103 in (2,616 mm)[6]
Length| 172.5 in (4,382 mm)
(1951–1952)[6]
170.75 in (4,337 mm)
(1952 - 1957)
Width| 67 in (1,702 mm)
(1951–1952)[6]
66.5 in (1,689 mm)
(1952–1957)
Height| 63 in (1,600 mm) [6]
Curb weight| 1,028–1,035 kg (2,266–2,282 lb)

In August 1951[7] a completely new Wyvern was launched, featuring a modern Ponton, three-box shape in a unitary construction body. In spite of the abandonment of the old RAC horsepower tax system which favoured long stroke engines, the old long stroke four cylinder 35 bhp (26 kW) engine from the L-series was retained and 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.[5]

Wyvern EIXW

After only six months production of the rebodied Wyvern the car received, in April 1952, Vauxhall's new short stroke 1508 cc four-cylinder engine. Along with its six -cylinder Velox version, the new engine had a bore of 79.3mm and a stroke of 76.2mm, identical measurements (and therefore capacity) as the rival Ford Consul/Zephyr engines introduced two years previously. With a power output of 45 bhp (34 kW) at 4,000 rpm, 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.[8]

The Wyvern sold well on the UK market until Vauxhall abandoned the six seater four cylinder market and replaced it with the smaller but more radically styled Vauxhall Victor F-Series in 1957.

A car with the 45 bhp (34 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 (9.3 L/100 km; 25.3 mpg‑US) was recorded. The test car cost £771 including taxes.[6]

105,275 were made.[5]

Wyvern EBX

The EBX model code was applied to the Australian "chassis only" variant of the Wyvern EIX.[9]

1953 Vauxhall Wyvern EIX Saloon

## Australian production by General Motors-Holden[edit]

General Motors-Holden produced Vauxhall Wyvern models in Australia from 1938 to 1957. Although the external appearance was very like that of the British cars, which featured unitary construction, the Australian Vauxhalls retained a separate chassis frame. As well as countering prejudice against using "chassisless" cars on outback roads, the separate box girder chassis could be provided with an open tourer body or a utility body.[10][11] The new post-war Holden car was "chassisless", so the Vauxhall gave GMH customers the option of a car with a chassis.

## Wyvern 10 horsepower[edit]

Australian 1948 Wyvern H Series "Caleche"

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.[12] It was built on a separate chassis with a box-section cruciform frame. The six-light body with protruding luggage boot built to Holden's "turret-top" design used many of the front pressings of the unitary construction British Vauxhall H Series.[12] It was produced in saloon and open Calèche body styles.[13] The Calèche was offered in 2-seater roadster and 4-seater tourer models.[14] The Wyvern had a 94-inch wheelbase and used a 10 hp engine.[14] The saloon featured a six light body [15] with a side window behind each rear door unlike the British H Series 10-4 model. The wheelbase was increased in 1940 [16] to 97¾ inches.[17]

Production ceased in 1941 but was resumed in 1946, using pre-war tooling.[18] A new grille with horizontal bars was adopted, replacing the previous vertical bar design.[19] The 10 h.p engine was used,[20] but this was soon replaced by a 12 h.p. unit.[21]

For an image of a 1938 sedan see external links below

## Wyvern LBX (1948–51)[edit]

Australian Wyvern "Caleche" (L Series)

The L Series Wyvern was produced from 1948 to 1951. It was offered with an Australian developed sedan body, an Australian "Caleche" tourer body, both with a box girder chassis,[22] or with the unitary construction English saloon body. Besides having a separate chassis the Australian sedan differed from its English counterpart in having a longer passenger cabin, a more rounded boot and an additional side window behind the rear doors.[23] Australian vehicles carried the model code LBX.[4]

* The Australian Vauxhall Wyvern Saloon (LBX) differed from the English Saloon (LIX) in having an additional window behind the rear door....

* ... and a more rounded boot

## Wyvern EBX (1952–57)[edit]

Vauxhall Wyvern Vagabond

The E Series Wyvern was produced from 1952 to 1957.[24] In addition to building the 4-door integral body-chassis Wyvern sedan, GMH continued to build a separate chassis[25] and developed a 2-door convertible and a Coupe Utility for it.[26] The convertible was initially marketed as the Caleche and later as the Vagabond.[27] 1954 was the last year for the Coupe Utility,[26] and the Vagabond was not included in the facelifted E Series range released in April 1955.[28]

## References[edit]

Citations

1. ^ Sedgwick & Gillies 1993.
2. ^ a b c d "The Vauxhall Wyvern". The Motor. 4 October 1950.
3. ^ "Cars Of The Vauxhall Heritage Collection: Vauxhall Wyvern". Retrieved 12 August 2021.
4. ^ a b VAUXHALL L TYPE - WYVERN & VELOX SPECIFICATIONS, vauxpedianet.uk2sitebuilder.com Retrieved 22 August 2017
5. ^ a b c Sedgwick & Gillies 1993, p. 212.
6. ^ a b c d e "The Vauxhall Wyvern (short stroke)". The Motor. 10 September 1952.
7. ^ Vauxhall Motors Limited. The Times, Tuesday, 28 August 1951; pg. 2; Issue 52091
8. ^ Sedgwick & Gillies 1986, p. 212.
9. ^ Model Designations, Authorised Service Parts for Vauxhall Model E and Bedford Model CA, Vauxhall Motors Limited Parts and Accessories Department, Copyright March 1957
10. ^ "Vauxhall stripped chassis". The Herald. 22 May 1940. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
11. ^ "Two new Vauxhalls have modern trend". The Herald. 1 February 1949. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
12. ^ a b Darwin 2002, p. 130.
13. ^ VAUXHALL 'WYVERN' IN TWO SMART 10-H.P. MODELS The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Tuesday 22 Feb 1938, Page 4, as archived at trove.nla.gov.au
14. ^ a b 1939 VAUXHALL WYVERN GMH SALES BROCHURE, www.ebay.com.au, as archived at web.archive.org
15. ^ VAUXHALL H - 10-FOUR LAUNCH & MODEL HISTORY, vauxpedianet.uk2sitebuilder.com Retrieved 27 December 2018
16. ^ 1940 Vauxhall Wyvern Is Smart Performer, The Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954) Monday 29 July 1940, Page 6, as archived at trove.nla.gov.au
17. ^ 1940 VAUXHALL WYVERN GMH SALES BROCHURE, www.ebay.com.au, as archived at web.archive.org[dead link]
18. ^ Darwin 1983, p. 79.
19. ^ Vauxhall - Preview 1946 Range - 10 H.P. Wyvern and 14 H.P. Senior, The Australian Monthly Motor Manual, May 1946, page 33
20. ^ New 10-hp Vauxhall Wyvern, The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Tuesday, 23 July 1946, Page 9, as archived at trove.nla.gov.au
21. ^ Vauxhall Wyvern, The Australian Monthly Motor Manual 1947 Annual, page 44
22. ^ Velox Caleche Sporty with Comfort. (Melbourne) Argus, 16 March 1950
23. ^ Darwin 2002, p. 133.
24. ^ Darwin 2002, pp. 134–136.
25. ^ Tourer is Fast and Smooth. (Melbourne) Argus, 1 June 1953
26. ^ a b Darwin 2002, p. 134.
27. ^ VAUXHALL VELOX and WYVERN - 1952 SEDAN and VAGABOND BROCHURE, www.ebay.com As archived at www.webcitation.org on 10 September 2014
28. ^ Darwin 2002, p. 135.

Bibliography

* Darwin, Norm (1983). The History of Holden in Australia since 1917. E.L. Ford Publications. ISBN 978-0-9592287-0-0.
* Darwin, Norm (2002). 100 Years of GM in Australia.
* Sedgwick, Michael; Gillies, Mark (1986). A–Z of Cars 1945–1970. Osprey. ISBN 978-0-600-33391-3.
* Sedgwick, Michael; Gillies, Mark (1993). Pressnell, Jon (ed.). A–Z of Cars 1945–1970. Bay View Books. ISBN 978-1-870979-39-9.

## Further reading[edit]

* Culshaw, David; Horrobin, Peter (1997). The Complete Catalogue of British Cars 1895–1975. Veloce Publishing. ISBN 978-1-874105-93-0.

## External links[edit]

* 1938 Vauxhall Wyvern 10hp sedan side
* 1938 Vauxhall Wyvern 10hp sedan rear
* Images of Vauxhall L Series tourer, E Series Utility and E Series Vagabond Convertible at www.kpl.com.au

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Vauxhall vehicle timeline, 1945–1979 — next »

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