Vauxhall 14-6
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox Automobile
| image = 1947 Vauxhall 14 4691383736.jpg
| caption = Vauxhall Fourteen-Six 1938-1948
unitary hulled six-light saloon
1947 example
| name = Vauxhall 14-6
| manufacturer = Vauxhall
| aka = Vauxhall Fourteen-Six
Vauxhall Model J
| production = 1939 to 1948
| assembly = England
Australia
| predecessor = Vauxhall Light Six
| successor = Vauxhall Velox
| 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
| platform =
| engine = 1,781cc I6
| transmission =
| wheelbase = {{convert|105|in|mm|abbr=on}}
| length = {{convert|168|in|mm|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|63.5|in|mm|abbr=on}}
| height =
| weight = 22.5 cwt
| related = Bedford JC
| designer = }}
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, 1,781cc Straight-six engine.Cars Of 1939, Vauxhall 14 changes The Times 6 October 1938 page 17{{cite book|last1=Gillies|first1=Mark|last2=Sedgwick|first2=Michael|title=A-Z of Cars of the 1930s|date=1993|publisher=Haymarket Publishing|isbn=9781870979023|page=208}} It had a top speed of 70 mph and could accelerate from 0-50 mph in 18.2 seconds.{{cite book|last=Culshaw|author2=Horrobin|title=Complete Catalogue of British Cars|year=1974|publisher=Macmillan Publishers|location=London|isbn=978-0-333-16689-5}}
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. 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.
Unitary chassis-body
The car now had a unitary hull which had a {{convert|4|in|mm|abbr=on}} longer wheelbase and {{convert|1|in|mm|abbr=on}} 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.{{cite book|last1=Gillies|first1=Mark|last2=Sedgwick|first2=Michael|title=A-Z of Cars 1945-1970|date=1994|publisher=Haymarket Publishing|isbn=9780600333913|page=212}} A total of 45,499 were produced, including 30,511 in the post war period.
Australian production
A Vauxhall 14 J was built by Holden in Australia without unitary construction[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/198684970 Improved bodies for Vauxhall 14] Truth 4 June 1939 page 12 which was beyond the capacity of local presses but sharing much of the English car's styling.{{cite book|last=Darwin|first1=Norm|title=The History of Holden since 1917|date=1983|publisher=Ford Publications|isbn=9780959228700|pages=87-89}}[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/17582728 Vauxhall 14] Sydney Morning Herald '2 May 1939 page 6 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.{{cite book |last1=Darwin |first1=Norm |title=100 Years of GM in Australia |date=2002 |isbn=9780646414768 |pages=130-133}} and as in England but in a Holden version, a light utility.[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/230891995 Striking gains in latest Vauxhall product] The Sun 2 May 1939 page 14
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.
1939 Vauxhall-Holden 14 DHC.jpg|Vauxhall drophead coupé 1939
1940 Bedford JC coupe utility.jpg|Bedford Business Roadster or coupé utility 1940
Vauxhall 14 Model J of 1946.JPG|Vauxhall 14 Model J 1946
note Holden's divided windscreen and roof
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category-inline|Vauxhall 14}}
{{Vauxhall Motors}}
{{Vauxhall timeline 1945 to 1979}}