1914 Vauxhall Prince Henry Chassis Number: C129 Engine Number: D522C Registration: V6289 • One of only a small number of cars remaining in private hands worldwide. • Impressive in both sight sound and performance, this is a fast and very usable Edwardian open tourer. • Extensively used for numerous VSCC events from taking class wins in hill climbs, to circuit racing and even trialling. Vauxhall is one of the most revered names in true Vintage motoring. The brainchild of one of Britain’s most distinguished motor engineers Lawrence Pomeroy, the striking Prince Henry closely followed the Hispano Suiza Alfonso as one of the first true sports cars and marked the start of a journey of one of the greatest Vintage Sports Cars ever built, the 30/98. In the winter of 1907-08, Vauxhall’s chief engineer F. W. Hodges took a long holiday to Egypt. While he was away Vauxhall’s managing director Percy Kinder decided to enter three cars into the RAC 2000 Mile Trial. The task of developing the existing cars was given to the promising 24 year old draughtsman Lawrence Pomeroy. He completely redesigned the engine giving it a mono block casting for the cylinders and a single camshaft operating in an L-head. The impressive new 3,054cc engine gave 40bhp, 17 bhp more than its predecessor and Kinder was victorious in the event beating the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost. This marked the end of Hogest regime and the start of Pomeroy’s eleven year reign as the head of Vauxhall’s engineering department. T. + 44 (0)1285 831 488 E. [email protected]www.williamianson.com
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1914 Vauxhall Prince HenryChassis Number: C129Engine Number: D522CRegistration: V6289• One of only a small number of cars remaining in private hands worldwide.
• Impressive in both sight sound and performance, this is a fast and very usable Edwardian open tourer.
• Extensively used for numerous VSCC events from taking class wins in hill climbs, to circuit racing and even trialling.
Vauxhall is one of the most revered names in true Vintage motoring. The brainchild of one of Britain’s most distinguished motor engineers Lawrence Pomeroy, the striking Prince Henry closely followed the Hispano Suiza Alfonso as one of the first true sports cars and marked the start of a journey of one of the greatest Vintage Sports Cars ever built, the 30/98.
In the winter of 1907-08, Vauxhall’s chief engineer F. W. Hodges took a long holiday to Egypt. While he was away Vauxhall’s managing director Percy Kinder decided to enter three cars into the RAC 2000 Mile Trial. The task of developing the existing cars was given to the promising 24 year old draughtsman Lawrence Pomeroy. He completely redesigned the engine giving it a mono block casting for the cylinders and a single camshaft operating in an L-head. The impressive new 3,054cc engine gave 40bhp, 17 bhp more than its predecessor and Kinder was victorious in the event beating the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost. This marked the end of Hogest regime and the start of Pomeroy’s eleven year reign as the head of Vauxhall’s engineering department.
Bolstered by his victory in the 2000 Mile Trial Kinder decided to enter three cars into the 1910 Prince Henry Trials. Pomeroy set to and upped the power of the engine to 60bhp at 2,800rpm and the cars carried narrow four-seat doorless bodies with the destructive pointed vee-radiator. Although the event was won by the larger Austro-Daimlers, two of the three cars made non stop runs. Off of the back of their success the factory announced a line of cars replicating the three Works cars, to go on sale towards the end of 1911. Officially known as the C-Type they were more commonly known as the Prince Henry. They were offered with the standard doorless body with a bulbous back as well as the factory option with small doors and a straighter back. With a top speed of around 75mph they acquired a reputation for good handling and flexible performance in top gear.
Widely campaigned in hill climbs and reliability trials, the Prince Henry continued to build its fine reputation with a penalty free performance in the 1911 St. Petersburg to Sebastopol Trials and two clear runs for Kinder and Hellgren in the 1912 Swedish Winter Trials. The Russian success earned them a significant foothold in the market there with the Tsar Nicholas II having at least two cars.
In 1913 The Prince Henry’s engine was enlarged to 3,969cc giving the same power at a lower revolution of 2,500rpm. Electric lighting was standard and starters were available from 1914. The model was produced up until early 1915 with 140 of the larger engined built as supposed to the 50 smaller engined example.
This beautifully proportioned example is one of only a small number of these fabulous cars still in private hands worldwide. Purchased from Ian Poulson in incomplete and unrestored condition by the last owner Tudor Roberts, he entrusted internationally renown expert in the restoration of Edwardian cars, Ben Collings, with the task of rebuilding the car to what you see today.
Well known Vauxhall historian, Nic Portway, was consulted by Mr. Roberts before he purchased the car and the provenance of Edwardian origin of all of the major components was confirmed by him and the car has been happily accepted by the the 30/98 community of the VSCC as being a true Edwardian Prince Henry. The original chassis, crank case, block, gearbox, steering column and front axle were all sourced in Australia. According to Nic Portway the crankcase and block are from the George Green Collection and the crank case is date stamped 1914 with D533C stamped on the front timing cover. The gearbox and steering box are both Edwardian and the front axle is an A-Type machined down. The rear axle is from a Prince Henry and came from County Wexford in Ireland.
Once restored Mr. Roberts used the car for many VSCC sprints and hill climbs as well as circuit racing. It even had a number of outings in VSCC Trials. According to MR. Roberts former VSCC president and highly regarded campaigner of Edwardian cars, Roger Collings who borrowed the car for several VSCC events said “this is the best Edwardian touring car I have ever driven, it is fast, safe, clean, reliable and beautiful”.
The current owner has continued to use the car for tours and events including the centenary celebrations at Shelsley Walsh. He has had some service work undertaken by Ecurie Bertelli. The car is accompanied by four spare wheels, two with 880x120 beaded edge tyres and two wheels to take well based tyres for trialling.
Impressive in both sight sound and performance, this is a true Edwardian touring car and is an ideal, desirable entry for the ever growing number of tours, rallies, hill climbs and events held around the world. With the open road awaiting, this is a true Edwardian thoroughbred that can still put many a vintage car to shame.
