Vauxhall 14-6

Vauxhall 14-6
1947 Vauxhall Fourteen-Six (unitary hulled six-light saloon, 1938-1948)
Overview
Manufacturer	Vauxhall
Also called	Vauxhall Fourteen-Six Vauxhall Model J
Production	1939 to 1948
Assembly	England Australia
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door saloon 2-door coupé (Australia) 2-door roadster (Australia) 2-door coupé utility (Australia) 2-door roadster utility (Australia)
Layout	FR layout
Related	Bedford JC
Powertrain
Engine	1,781 cc OHV I6
Dimensions
Wheelbase	105 in (2,667 mm)
Length	168 in (4,267 mm)
Width	63.5 in (1,613 mm)
Curb weight	22.5 long cwt (2,520 lb; 1,143 kg)
Chronology
Predecessor	Vauxhall Light Six
Successor	Vauxhall Velox

The Vauxhall 14-6 is an automobile produced by Vauxhall in England from 1939 until 1948.

Announced in October 1938 for the 1938 British International Motor Show at Earls Court, the 14-6 was offered as a six-light, four door saloon and was powered by a four bearing, OHV, 1,781 cc straight-six engine. ^{[1] [2]} It had a top speed of 70 mph and could accelerate from 0-50 mph in 18.2 seconds. ^[3]

Engine, transmission and suspension

The previous engine was retained but with compression ratio raised from 6.25 to 6.75:1 and revised timing increasing the output to 48 bhp at 3000rpm. ^[3] Other features included independent front suspension using torsion bars in place of the previous Dubonnet system with semi-elliptic leaf springs at the rear, Lockheed hydraulic brakes and a three-speed all-synchromesh gearbox in place of the four-speed "silent third" gearbox. ^[2]

Unitary chassis-body

The car now had a unitary hull which had a 4 in (100 mm) longer wheelbase and 1 in (25 mm) wider track than its predecessor which made it larger than the 12-4 model announced at the same time. Previously the 12 and 14 hp models had shared the same body. Interior features included individual leather front seats and a rear seat with fold-down arm rest, a rear window blind and a sliding sunroof.

Post World War II models can be distinguished by bonnet-louvre and grille changes. ^[4] A total of 45,499 were produced, including 30,511 in the post war period. ^{[2] [4]}

Australian production

A Vauxhall 14 J was built by Holden in Australia without unitary construction ^[5] which was beyond the capacity of local presses but sharing much of the English car's styling. ^{[6] [7]} The separate chassis allowed the Australian firm to provide open and utility bodies. Commencing in 1939, the 14 was offered in sedan, coupé and roadster body-styles. ^[8] and as in England but in a Holden version, a light utility. ^[9]

A 14 sedan was the first civilian car to be produced by Holden in the post war period, leaving the Fishermans Bend assembly line on 21 May 1946. ^[8]

• 
  Vauxhall drophead coupé 1939
• 
  Bedford Business Roadster or coupé utility 1940
• 
  Vauxhall 14 Model J 1946
  note Holden's divided windscreen and roof

References

1. Cars Of 1939, Vauxhall 14 changes The Times 6 October 1938 page 17
2. Gillies, Mark; Sedgwick, Michael (1993). A-Z of Cars of the 1930s. Haymarket Publishing. p. 208. ISBN   9781870979023.
3. Culshaw; Horrobin (1974). Complete Catalogue of British Cars. London: Macmillan Publishers. ISBN   978-0-333-16689-5.
4. Gillies, Mark; Sedgwick, Michael (1994). A-Z of Cars 1945-1970. Haymarket Publishing. p. 212. ISBN   9780600333913.
5. Improved bodies for Vauxhall 14 Truth 4 June 1939 page 12
6. Darwin, Norm (1983). The History of Holden since 1917. Ford Publications. pp. 87–89. ISBN   9780959228700.
7. Vauxhall 14 Sydney Morning Herald '2 May 1939 page 6
8. Darwin, Norm (2002). 100 Years of GM in Australia. pp. 130–133. ISBN   9780646414768.
9. Striking gains in latest Vauxhall product The Sun 2 May 1939 page 14

External links

Media related to Vauxhall 14 at Wikimedia Commons