Vauxhall 10-4

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Vauxhall Ten

Manufacturer	Vauxhall Motors
Production	1937 - 1940 1946 - 1947
Assembly	Luton
Class	Small family car
Body style(s)	4-door saloon
Layout	FR layout
Engine(s)	1203 cc I4 ohv 34 bhp (25.4 kW) ((1937 - 1940) 1203 cc I4 ohv 31.5 bhp (23.5 kW) (1946 - 1947)
Wheelbase	94 in (2388 mm) ^[1] (1937 - 1940) 97.75 in (2483 mm) (1946 - 1947)
Length	155.5 in (3950 mm) (1937 - 1940) 159 in (4039 mm) (1946 - 1947)
Width	61 in (1549 mm)
Curb weight	2016 lb (914 kg)

The Vauxhall 10 is a small British built four door saloon first shown in public in October 1937. A striking structural innovation^[1], following the pattern set in 1935 by GM's German subsidiary, was the Ten's integral (chassisless) construction which suggests that it was designed by Vauxhall to enjoy a long life and high production volumes. Unfortunately war intervened, however: Vauxhall’s Luton plant switched to tank production and the Vauxhall 10 was unavailable after 1940.

The model reappeared briefly in 1946 with the same 1203 cc ohv engine as before, albeit with a reduction in claimed power output (and probably also a lowered compression ratio reflecting fuel type availability). The post war Vauxhall 10 was little changed in other respects. However, with British consumers cash strapped, and the market for small saloons of prewar design closely contested, Vauxhall withdrew their 10 in 1947, concentrating, until 1963, on larger and presumably more lucrative models.

The name of the car referred to its fiscal horse power which at this time defined the class in which it was to compete against cars such as the Morris 10, the Standard 10 ands the Ford 10. The Vauxhall 10’s advertised horse power in 1937 was 34 bhp.