Vauxhall B-type
Encyclopedia
The Vauxhall B-type was a large car manufactured by Vauxhall Motors
from 1911 to 1914. It was Vauxhall's first six cylinder car.
had introduced a six cylinder engined car onto the British market, a lead followed a year later by Rolls-Royce
. Vauxhall decided to join this club and designer F.W. Hodges made an experimental six in 1905 with cylinders cast in two sets of three and chain drive but it never saw production. The car that would go into production as the B-type 30hp had a completely new engine of 3473 cc with all six cylinders cast in one block in the prototype but production versions had reverted to two three cylinder units and with capacity increased to 4525 cc.
and used semi elliptic leaf springs and rigid axles front and rear and was available in a choice of two wheelbases of 135 in (3,429 mm) or 144 in (3,658 mm). The side valve engine had a bore of 90 mm and stroke of 120 mm and produced an output of 30 bhp. On later cars the capacity increased to 5013 cc. Drive was to the rear wheels via a multi-plate clutch and four speed transmission separated from the engine by a short shaft. The engine, clutch and transmission were mounted on a sub frame within the main chassis. There were no brakes on the front wheels but the car had a transmission brake immediately behind the gearbox operated by the foot pedal.
About 75 were made . Body styles fitted are believed to have included a two seat tourer, landaulette, cabriolet and limousine. After production ceased in 1914 or possibly 1915, excluding the sleeve valve S-type, there would not be another six cylinder Vauxhall until the 1928 R-type which was built after the company was bought by General Motors
.
Vauxhall Motors
Vauxhall Motors is a British automotive company owned by General Motors and headquartered in Luton. It was founded in 1857 as a pump and marine engine manufacturer, began manufacturing cars in 1903 and was acquired by GM in 1925. It has been the second-largest selling car brand in the UK for...
from 1911 to 1914. It was Vauxhall's first six cylinder car.
History
In 1904 NapierNapier & Son
D. Napier & Son Limited was a British engine and pre-Great War automobile manufacturer and one of the most important aircraft engine manufacturers in the early to mid-20th century...
had introduced a six cylinder engined car onto the British market, a lead followed a year later by Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce Limited
Rolls-Royce Limited was a renowned British car and, from 1914 on, aero-engine manufacturing company founded by Charles Stewart Rolls and Henry Royce on 15 March 1906 as the result of a partnership formed in 1904....
. Vauxhall decided to join this club and designer F.W. Hodges made an experimental six in 1905 with cylinders cast in two sets of three and chain drive but it never saw production. The car that would go into production as the B-type 30hp had a completely new engine of 3473 cc with all six cylinders cast in one block in the prototype but production versions had reverted to two three cylinder units and with capacity increased to 4525 cc.
Engineering
The chassis was similar to that used on the A-typeVauxhall A-Type
The A-Type Vauxhall was a car manufactured by Vauxhall Motors from 1908 to 1915 with one more built in 1920. This was to be the first production Vauxhall designed by Laurence Pomeroy: it became a highly acclaimed 3 litre of its day and at Brooklands on 26 October 1910, it became the first...
and used semi elliptic leaf springs and rigid axles front and rear and was available in a choice of two wheelbases of 135 in (3,429 mm) or 144 in (3,658 mm). The side valve engine had a bore of 90 mm and stroke of 120 mm and produced an output of 30 bhp. On later cars the capacity increased to 5013 cc. Drive was to the rear wheels via a multi-plate clutch and four speed transmission separated from the engine by a short shaft. The engine, clutch and transmission were mounted on a sub frame within the main chassis. There were no brakes on the front wheels but the car had a transmission brake immediately behind the gearbox operated by the foot pedal.
About 75 were made . Body styles fitted are believed to have included a two seat tourer, landaulette, cabriolet and limousine. After production ceased in 1914 or possibly 1915, excluding the sleeve valve S-type, there would not be another six cylinder Vauxhall until the 1928 R-type which was built after the company was bought by General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
.