Vauxhall Prince Henry
| Prince Henry Vauxhall C |
|
|---|---|
Vauxhall Prince Henry (1912 example)
|
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Vauxhall |
| Production | 1911 - 1914 |
| Assembly | Luton |
| Designer | Laurence Pomeroy |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine |
I4 1911—3 L (3,054 cc) 1913—4 L (3,969 cc) |
| Transmission | four-speed sliding-pinion gearbox, live axle |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 1911—117 in (2,972 mm) 1913—120 in (3,048 mm) |
| Length | 1911—159 in (4,039 mm) 1913—162 in (4,115 mm) depends on body style |
| Width | depends on body style |
| Height | depends on body style |
| Kerb weight | 1,250 kg (2,756 lb) depends on body |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Vauxhall 20 hp |
| Successor | Vauxhall 30-98 |
| Prince Henry engine 20 and 24 |
|
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Vauxhall |
| Combustion chamber | |
| Configuration | Straight 4-cylinder |
| Displacement | 1911—3,054 cc (186 cu in) 1913—3,969 cc (242 cu in) |
| Cylinder bore | 1911—90 mm (3.5 in) 1913—95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Piston stroke | 1911—120 mm (4.7 in) 1913—140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Cylinder block alloy | cast iron monobloc |
| Cylinder head alloy | non-detachable L-head |
| Valvetrain | mechanically operated, side by side. Side-valves operated by push rods from a camshaft low in the block |
| Combustion | |
| Fuel system | ignition by high-tension magneto single Zenith carburettor |
| Fuel type | petrol |
| Cooling system | Fan; Water pump driven by leather belt |
| Output | |
| Power output | 1911—60 bhp (45 kW; 61 PS) @2,800 rpm 1913—75 bhp (56 kW; 76 PS) maximum speed 2,500 r.p.m. Tax horsepower 1911— 20.09 1913— 23.82 |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Vauxhall 20 hp |
| Successor | 3-litre—none 4-litre—Vauxhall 30-98 |
The Vauxhall Prince Henry was a car manufactured by Vauxhall from 1911 to 1914. It had a length of around 4.05 metres (159.4 in) and a weight of 1,250 kg (2,756 lb) depending on the model and the coachwork fitted.
It is often thought of as the first sports car insofar as its high performance depends less on brute strength and more on overall excellence of design and sturdiness of construction.
Known to Vauxhall as their C-10 three specially prepared cars were entered in the 1200 mile (1900 km) long 1910 Motor Trials named in honour of Prince Henry of Prussia. Replicas of the trial cars sold quickly and became known as Prince Henry Vauxhalls. Prince Henry cars also competed in other international trials including the 1911 St Petersburg to Sebastopol Trial and so two cars were sold to Tsar Nicholas II. A sales and support and distribution branch was opened in Moscow with good results. Hampered by the First World War the office was finally closed after the 1918 revolution.
The Prince Henry was a higher tuned version of the Vauxhall 20 hp that had been designed in the winter of 1907-08 by then draughtsman Laurence Pomeroy (1883–1941) when the company's chief engineer F. W. Hodges was away on holiday. The engine was of 4-cylinder monobloc design with side valves and a capacity of 3054 cc giving 40 bhp (30 kW) output. Three of these cars were entered in the RAC 2,000-mile (3,200 km) trial and one won the speed trials at Brooklands which was part of the event as well as winning the fuel economy award for its class. This victory helped Pomeroy to be promoted to Works Manager.
With the decision to enter the Prince Henry Trial the engine power was increased to 60 bhp (45 kW) at 2800 rpm and as a result of the success replicas were put on the market at £580 with the chassis code C10 and known as the Prince Henry model.
Both Austro-Daimler and Vauxhall offered for sale replicas of their Prince Henry models at the 1911 Olympia Motor Show
...
Wikipedia