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1940 was the first full year of war, and civilian car production in the UK dwindled to just under 2000 units. That was understandable, as the UK turned its attention to the pressing need to stick a grenade up a certain one-nutted Austrian tyrant. By November, the total number of cars on British roads was 1,348,817, almost 280,000 fewer than a year before. The number of hackneys in use, however, had increased by over 14,000 to 81,484. Many cars were commandeered by the Army and others were converted into ambulances, canteen vans, etc. Some manufacturers supplied military versions of their civilian cars direct to the War Office, the Admiralty and other government authorities.
Armoured vehicle production was already in full swing. 947 AFVs (armoured fighting vehicles) were produced in 1939, followed by 7441 in 1940, increasing steadily to 31,851 in 1943. In 1939, fewer than half a million people were employed in the production and repair of motor vehicles in the UK. In the peak year, 1943, this number had risen to 1,121,800, about half of whom were part-time female workers. Many garages throughout the country were engaged in the overhaul of military vehicles, as well as in the assembly of Lend-Lease vehicles which arrived in CKD (completely knocked down) packs from North America. Others, sometimes in their showrooms, actually produced components for the big manufacturers under sub-contracts. During World War 2 the Rootes Group played an important part in Britain's efforts for which William Rootes was knighted in 1959 and became Lord Rootes of Ramsbury. Humber played an important part with production of scout cars and heavy utility vehicles. |
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Alvis 4·3 Litre Tourer, Silver Crest and Speed |
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Also see: Alvis Road Tests and Reviews |
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Alvis 4·3-Litre with four-door Tourer bodywork by Cross & Ellis. Unlike the Tourer, the 1940 Alvis Saloon and Drophead Coupe did not have running boards; the wings on these models faired into the sides of the scuttle. The six-cylinder engine had a cubic capacity of 4387 cc (92 x 110 mm) and was rated at 31·48 HP. Other Alvis offerings in 1940 were the 12/70 (1842-cc Four), Silver Crest (2362 and 2762-cc Six) and Speed 25 (3571-cc Six).
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Aston Martin Atom Saloon |
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Also see: Aston Martin Car Reviews and Aston Martin Heritage |
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Aston Martin Atom Saloon, work on which had started in 1939. The car was completed during the war and was the first Aston Martin to have the tubular space frame chassis designed by Claude Hill. By the end of the war it had Hill's new 2-litre OHC engine. This 'one-off' was the direct ancestor of all post-war Aston Martins, production of which started in 1948 (DB1).
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Austin 8 HP Two-seater Model AP |
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Also see: Austin Road Tests and Reviews |
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The Austin 8 HP Two-seater, Model AP, was a modification of the civilian type tourer produced for the British Army for liaison and similar duties. It had two seats and a folding windscreen. The slightly slanted louvres in the bonnet side panels were a distinguishing feature. In the background are Austin-built four-stretcher military ambulances (Model K2Y).
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Austin 12 HP Saloon Model HR B |
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Also see: Austin Road Tests and Reviews |
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The Austin 12 HP Saloon, Model HR B, as produced from August 1939. It was completely redesigned as compared with the preceding Model H RA Light Twelve of 1938/39. The wheelbase was 8 ft 10¼ in. but this was shortened to 8 ft 8½ in. in 1945 (Model HS1). Production ceased in 1947. The 12 HP had a 1535-cc side-valve Four engine.
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Ford Anglia 8 HP Model E04A |
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Also see: Ford UK Road Tests and Reviews |
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The Ford Anglia 8 HP, Model E04A, was introduced in 1939 and continued after the war with minor changes, until 1948. It was a face-lifted improved development of the 1937-39 Eight Model 7Y. It had a 933-cc (56·6 x 92·5 mm) four-cylinder engine, 7 ft 6 in wheelbase and two-door bodywork. Its companion, the 10 HP Prefect Model E93A had 63·5-mm bore (1172 cc), 7 ft 10 in wheelbase and four-door bodywork.
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Hillman Minx |
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Also see: Hillman Road Tests and Reviews |
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A Hillman Minx in its 1939/40 form. The engine was the proven 9·8 HP 1185-cc side-valve Four and the radiator grille was integral with the rear-hinged bonnet. The car shown features wartime headlamp masks and white-painted bumpers. During the war it was produced mainly in Light Utility form for the Services.
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Hillman Fourteen |
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Also see: Hillman Road Tests and Reviews |
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The Hillman Fourteen was the only other type produced by the Hillman Motor Car Co. in 1939/40. The body styling resembled that of the Minx, but the car was almost 2 ft longer and had a 13·96 HP 1944-cc side-valve Four engine. Prices ranged from £238 to £285. Unlike the Minx, the Fourteen was not reintroduced after the war. Compared with 1938/39 models, the 1940 Fourteen had revised bonnet side strips, Lockheed instead of Bendix brakes and Luvax piston-type shock absorbers. Most vehicles were supplied to the Army and the Royal Air Force.
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Humber Super Snipe |
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Also see: Humber Road Tests and Reviews |
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The 1940 Humber Super Snipe was a carry-over from 1939. The body styling had much in common with the Hillman Fourteen, but featured a built-out luggage boot and a distinctive radiator grille The engine was a 26·9 HP 4086-cc side-valve Six. The Humber Sixteen and Snipe looked similar but had smaller-bore engines of 2576 and 3181 cc capacity respectively. All had 9 ft 6 in wheelbase.
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Humber Super Snipe |
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Also see: Humber Road Tests and Reviews |
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A Humber Super Snipe in austere military livery. In the Services this model was officially known as the Snipe, although it had the 4086-cc engine. On these cars the rear end was modified for improved 'angle of departure'. Tyres were India 7.00-16 'Aero Cushion', but the later production had 9.00-13 military type.
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Humber Pullman Limousine |
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Also see: Humber Road Tests and Reviews |
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A Humber Pullman Limousine in RAF livery. The Army and Navy used similar cars. The Pullman had the same 4086-cc engine as the Super Snipe, but a wheelbase of 10ft 7½ in.
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Humber Pullman Limousine |
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Also see: Humber Road Tests and Reviews |
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A Humber Pullman Limousine in British Army khaki livery. Some were supplied with formal black paint finish for domestic use. Most Pullmans for the Services were fitted with the roof luggage rail, as shown.
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Lagonda Drophead Coupe |
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Also see: Lost Marques - Lagonda |
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Lagonda Motors Ltd of Staines offered several high-quality chassis with varying wheelbase lengths and either 29·13 HP 4467-cc sixxcylinder or 41·8 HP 4480-cc V12 cylinder engine (Models LG6 and V12 respectively). An attractive Drophead Coupe is shown in this wartime advertisement. |
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Lea-Francis Four-light Saloon and Six-light Saloon |
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In 1940 Lea-Francis offered two basic models which were substantially the same except for engine size (11·9 HP 69 x 100 mm and 12·8HP 72 x 100 mm. both four-cylinders). Both four- and six-light (shown) saloons were offered. In 1945 the bore of the larger engine was increased to 75 mm.
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Morris Ten / Ten-Four |
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Also see: Morris Car Reviews and World Land Speed Records |
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The Morris Ten (or Ten-Four), Series M, was continued from 1939 and was reintroduced in 1945 in substantially the same form. It was a four-door Saloon with 9·99 HP 1140-cc four-cylinder engine and 7 ft 10 in wheelbase. lts smaller sister was the Eight Series E, with 8·05 HP 918-cc engine. |
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Riley Twelve |
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Also see: Riley Road Tests and Reviews |
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The Riley Twelve of 1939/40 was one of two models offered, the other being the 16 HP Big Four. The Twelve, or 1½ Litre, had a-1496-cc (69 x 100 mm) four-cylinder engine of 11·9 HP rating. Prices were from £310 to £335. |
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Rover Ten |
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Also see: Rover Road Tests and Reviews |
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The Rover Ten was available as Saloon and Coupe. The 1389-cc (66·5 x 100 mm) four-cylinder engine was of 10·8 HP rating. Wheelbase was 8 ft 9½ in., tyre size 4.75-17. |
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Rover Twelve Saloon |
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Also see: Rover Road Tests and Reviews |
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The Rover Twelve Saloon had a 1496-cc (69 x 100 mm) four-cylinder 11·8 HP engine. Wheelbase was 9 ft 4 in. tyre size 5.25-17. Also available as four-light Sports Saloon. |
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Rover Fourteen Sports Saloon |
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Also see: Rover Road Tests and Reviews |
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The Rover Fourteen Sports Saloon had 14·9 HP six-cylinder engine of 1901-cc cubic capacity (63·5 x 100 mm) Tyre size and wheelbase were 5.50-17 and 9 ft 7 in respectively for all 1939/40 Rover six-cylinder models The Rover Sixteen was similar in appearance but had ventilating doors in the bonnet sides, like the Twenty. |
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Rover Twenty Drophead Coupe |
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Also see: Rover Road Tests and Reviews |
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The Rover Twenty Drophead Coupe. This body style was available also on the Fourteen and Sixteen chassis. The Twenty had a 19·8 HP 2512-cc (73 x 100 mm) six-cylinder engine and in Saloon form cost £425. The cheapest Rover was the Ten at £275. |
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Schwimmwagen |
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Also see: Volkswagen Road Tests and Reviews |
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In 1940 another vehicle prototype evolved from the KdF-Wagen this was a road and water going machine coded the Type 128, the Schwimmwagen. It’s top speed on land was 50 mph and in the water was 6 mph. The Schwimmwagen was further developed into a smaller, faster machine the Type 166 and was produced for 3 years and total production reached 14,283. |
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Singer Super Ten Saloon |
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Also see: Singer Road Tests and Reviews |
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The Singer Super Ten Saloon cost £203 10s. Also offered were the 8·93 HP Bantam and 11·47 HP Twelve. The Super Ten had a 9·8 HP 1185-cc (63 x 95 mm) engine and 7 ft 11 in wheelbase. All models had four cylinders. Super Ten and Twelve Saloons were reintroduced after the war, supplemented by a Nine Roadster. |
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SS Jaguar 2½-Litre Drophead Coupe |
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Also see: Jaguar Car Reviews and History - Swallow Sidecars |
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The SS Jaguar 2½-Litre Drophead Coupe cost £435 and was also available as a 3½-Litre, at £490. The engines were of 2663 and 3485-cc capacity respectively. Also offered were Saloon versions, as well as a 1½- Litre Saloon at £298. |
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Standard Flying Eight / Flying Standard Eight Drophead Coupe |
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Also see: Standard Road Tests and Reviews |
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The Standard Flying Eight (or Flying Standard Eight) Drophead Coupe. In addition to this convertible model there was a Tourer which had smaller doors (with 'cut-out'), folding windscreen and simpler top. All Flying Eights had an 8·05 HP 1021-cc four-cylinder engine, driving through a three-speed gearbox. |
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Standard Flying Eight Canteen Van |
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Also see: Standard Road Tests and Reviews |
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The Standard Flying Eight was available with several body styles, but this type was not in the showrooms. It was one of a batch of nearly five hundred special canteen vans from which YMCA volunteers dispensed tea during the war years. |
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Standard Flying Ten |
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Also see: Standard Road Tests and Reviews |
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The Standard Flying Ten was one of a range of small and medium-sized cars, the others being the Flying Eight, Nine, Twelve, Fourteen and Twenty. All models had four-cylinder side-valve engines except the Twenty, which had a Six. The Ten had a 9·99 HP 1267-cc engine. 7 ft 6 in wheelbase and cost £179. Body styling was fundamentally the same throughout the range but looked best on the larger models. |
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Standard Flying Twelve Drophead Coupe |
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Also see: Standard Road Tests and Reviews |
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The Standard Flying Twelve Drophead Coupe. This car had a 1608-cc engine, rated at 11·98 HP and a wheelbase of 8 ft 4 in. Compared with post-war production, the 1939/40 models had louvres in the bonnet sides. Front suspension was independent with transverse leaf spring. |
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Sunbeam-Talbot Ten Saloon |
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Also see: Sunbeam Road Tests and Reviews |
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The Sunbeam-Talbot Ten Saloon was an attractively styled four-seater with 9·8 HP 1185-cc engine and 7 ft 9 in wheelbase. It was a carry-over from 1939 and sold at £248. A Drophead Coupe variant was offered at £285. |
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Sunbeam-Talbot 2-Litre Saloon |
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Also see: Sunbeam Road Tests and Reviews |
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The Sunbeam-Talbot 2-Litre Saloon was a larger edition of the Ten, with the same styling, but 3½-in longer wheelbase and 1944-cc 13·9 HP four-cylinder engine. 3 and 4-Litre models with six-cylinder power units were also offered. Only the Ten and the 2- Litre were continued after the war. |
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Triumph Twelve |
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Also see: Triumph Car Reviews and Lost Marques - Triumph |
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The Triumph Twelve was introduced in 1939 at £285 and differed from the better-known Dolomites mainly in having more conventional front end styling and pressed steel wheels. The engine was an 11·8 HP 1496-cc (69 x 100 mm) and Triumph's 1767-cc engine was offered as optional. Wheelbase was 9 ft. tyre size 5.00-17. In 1940 the price was £313 10s. |
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Triumph Dolomite Roadster |
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Also see: Triumph Car Reviews and Lost Marques - Triumph |
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The Triumph Dolomite range comprised 13·95 HP 1767-cc Four (9 ft wb) and 15·7 HP 1991-cc Six (9 ft 8 in wb) models. All had 100-mm stroke, but cylinder bores were 75 and 65 mm respectively. They were carry-overs from 1939, with detail modifications. At this time Triumph were in severe financial trouble and eventually went into liquidation. The Sheffield steel firm of Thomas W. Ward Ltd purchased the company from the Receiver in the autumn of 1939. A number of cars still in stock were disposed of by Wards, who also sold the various Coventry premises. The Gloria Works at Holbrooks Lane, for example, were bought by the Secretary of State for Air in February 1940, and the Stoke works were sold in November 1944, to the Standard Motor Co. Ltd, who subsequently reorganized the company as Triumph Motor Co. (1945) Ltd.
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Triumph Dolomite Royal |
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Also see: Triumph Car Reviews and Lost Marques - Triumph |
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The Triumph Dolomite range comprised 13·95 HP 1767-cc Four (9 ft wb) and 15·7 HP 1991-cc Six (9 ft 8 in wb) models. All had 100-mm stroke, but cylinder bores were 75 and 65 mm respectively. They were carry-overs from 1939, with detail modifications. At this time Triumph were in severe financial trouble and eventually went into liquidation. The Sheffield steel firm of Thomas W. Ward Ltd purchased the company from the Receiver in the autumn of 1939. A number of cars still in stock were disposed of by Wards, who also sold the various Coventry premises. The Gloria Works at Holbrooks Lane, for example, were bought by the Secretary of State for Air in February 1940, and the Stoke works were sold in November 1944, to the Standard Motor Co. Ltd, who subsequently reorganized the company as Triumph Motor Co. (1945) Ltd.
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Vauxhall Ten Series H |
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Also see: Vauxhall Road Tests and Reviews |
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The Vauxhall Ten, Series H, with two-door bodywork, sold for £163. The more common four-door Saloon cost £175. Both had a 9·99 HP 1203-cc OHV Four engine with three-speed gearbox and 7 ft 10in wheelbase. |
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Vauxhall Twelve Series I |
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Also see: Vauxhall Road Tests and Reviews |
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Vauxhall Twelve, Series I, had basically the same styling as the Ten, but was of larger dimensions and had a wheelbase of 8 ft 5¼ in. The engine Was a 1442-cc OHV Four of 11·98 HP and the saloon body was of the six-light type. Price was £198. A few more of these were produced in 1945-46. |
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Vauxhall Fourteen Series J |
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Also see: Vauxhall Road Tests and Reviews |
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The Vauxhall Fourteen, Series J, was in production during 1939-40 and continued after the war until 1948. It was larger than the Twelve, with 8 ft 9 in wheelbase, 5·50-16 tyres and 1781-cc six-cylinder engine of 14·07 HP. Price in 1940 was £235.
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Wolseley Ten Series Ill |
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Also see: Wolseley Road Tests and Reviews |
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The Wolseley Ten Series Ill four-door Saloons in the Netherlands. The Ten was one of a wide range of cars offered by Nuffield's Wolseley Motors Ltd of Ward End, Birmingham. Others were the 12/48 four-cylinder and 14/60, 16/65, 18/85, 21 and 25 HP six-cylinder models, all with the same basic styling but varying in size and equipment. Prices were from £237 (Ten) up to £855 (25 Limousine). |
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Wolseley Drophead Coupe on Special 25 HP Super Six chassis |
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Also see: Wolseley Road Tests and Reviews |
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The Wolseley Drophead Coupe on Special 25 HP Super Six chassis. The impressive front end featured large Lucas P100 headlamps, side lamps and twin flat-top-beam foglamps, as well as tuned Mellotone Post-Horns, operated by a loud/soft push in the steering-wheel centre. The 3485-cc OHV Six engine delivered 108 bhp and drove through a four-speed gearbox with synchromesh on 2nd. 3rd and top gears. |
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The 1000th VW Kubelwagen rolled off the production line on December 20, 1940. |
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