Vauxhall Wyvern

Infobox Automobile


name = Vauxhall Wyvern
manufacturer = Vauxhall
production = 1948-1957
predecessor = Vauxhall Twelve (I)
successor = Vauxhall Victor
related = Vauxhall Velox,
Vauxhall Cresta
designer =

The Wyvern (L-Type) is a medium sized family saloon 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 mis-identity of the heraldic Griffin on the Vauxhall badge.

Wyvern LIX (1948 - 1951)

Infobox Automobile


name = Vauxhall Wyvern LIX
manufacturer = Vauxhall
production = 1948-1951 55,409 madecite book |last=Sedgwick |first= Michael|coauthors=Gillies |title=A-Z of cars 1945-1970 |year=1993 |publisher=Bay View Books |location=UK |id=ISBN 1-870979-39-7]
engine = 1442 cc Straight-4
convert|33|bhp|abbr=on
body_style = 4-door saloon
length = Auto in|164.5|0
width = Auto in|62|0
height = convert|65|in|mm|abbr=on
wheelbase = Auto in|97.75|0
weight =
fuel_capacity= Convert|45.45|L|usgal impgal|1|abbr=on
related = Vauxhall Velox
predecessor =
successor =
related =
designer = The conventional four door saloon featured a four cylinder motor of 1442 cc delivering an advertised convert|33|bhp|abbr=on was capable of a maximum speed of approximately convert|60|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on. The column mounted gear change was linked to a three speed manual gear box, and incorporated synchromesh on the top two ratios. Auto in|9.125|0 drum brakes, hydraulically operated, were fitted.

The Wyvern's body was of integral (chassisless) construction, as pioneered by Vauxhall with their prewar Vauxhall 10 design.

The bonnet / hood could not be opened from outside without first being released from inside the car by means of a knob operated cable release. Other features included the chromium plated 'finger-pull' at the top edge of each window permitting each window to be opened to precisely the required level.

Contemporary sales material highlighted optional extras which included a heater from which warm air was evenly distributed between the front and back areas of the passenger cabin and which could be set to de-ice the windscreen in winter or to provide cool air ventilation in summer. Also available at extra charge was an AM radio integrated into the facia.

The Wyvern shared its body with the six cylinder Vauxhall Velox. Prominently chromed flutes along each top side of the hood / bonnet recalled famous Vauxhalls of the pre-war era.

A car tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1950 had a top speed of convert|62.6|mph|km/h|abbr=on and could accelerate from 0-convert|50|mph|km/h|abbr=on in 28.3 seconds. A fuel consumption of convert|30.9|mpgimp|L/100 km mpgus was recorded. The test car cost £479 including taxes. cite journal | authorlink = Unsigned |title = The Vauxhall Wyvern| journal =The Motor| volume = | pages = | date = October 4 1950]

Wyvern EIX (1951 - 1952)

Infobox Automobile


name = Vauxhall Wyvern EIX
manufacturer = Vauxhall
production = 1951-1957 107,588 made
engine = 1442 cc Straight-4
convert|35|bhp|abbr=on
"(1951 - 1952)"
1507 cc Straight-4 convert|40|bhp|abbr=on or convert|48|bhp|abbr=on
"(1952 - 1957)"
body_style = 4-door saloon
length = Auto in|172.5|0
"(1951 - 1952)"
Auto in|170.75|0
"(1952 - 1957)"
width = Auto in|67|0
"(1951 - 1952)"
Auto in|66.5|0
"(1952 - 1957)"
height = convert|63|in|mm|abbr=on
wheelbase = Auto in|103|0
weight =
fuel_capacity = 11 gallons
related = Vauxhall Velox, Vauxhall Cresta
predecessor =
successor =
related =
designer = In 1951 a completely new Wyvern was launched, featuring a modern 'three box' shape and integral construction of American styling. A modest increase in power to convert|35|bhp|abbr=on permitted a claimed top speed above convert|62|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on despite the car's increased size. As before, a more powerful Vauxhall Velox was available with the new body.

5313 were made.

Wyvern EIX (1952 - 1957)

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 convert|48|bhp|abbr=on. Maximum speed rose to convert|72|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on. More performance was available from the six cylinder Vauxhall Velox and (from 1954) Cresta versions. 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 engine tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1952 had a top speed of convert|71.6|mph|km/h|abbr=on and could accelerate from 0-convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on in 37.2 seconds. A fuel consumption of convert|30.4|mpgimp|L/100 km mpgus was recorded. The test car cost £771 including taxes. cite journal | authorlink = Unsigned |title = The Vauxhall Wyvern (short stroke)| journal =The Motor| volume = | pages = | date = September 10 1952]

105,275 were made.

The E Series Wyvern was also produced by General Motors-Holden’s in Australia from 1952 to 1958. In addition to building the 4 door sedan, GMH developed the Wyvern Vagabond 2 door convertible and the Wyvern Coupe Utility. 1954 was the last year for the Utility and the Vagabond was not included in the facelifted E Series range released in April 1955. [Norm Darwin, 100 Years of GM in Australia, 2002, pages 134 & 135]

References

Culshaw, David & Horrobin, Peter: "The Complete Catalogue of British Cars 1895-1975", Veloce Publishing plc., Dorchester (1997), ISBN 1874105936

External links

* [http://images.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://www.kpl.com.au/Classics/Images/Vauxhall_E_Ute.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.kpl.com.au/Classics/Vauxhall1.shtml&h=768&w=1024&sz=123&hl=en&start=1&um=1&tbnid=I_Ux3ZGAVObWTM:&tbnh=113&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dvauxhall%2Be%2Bseries%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DG Images of Vauxhall E Series Utility and Vagabond Convertible] Retrieved on 6/7/2008