Vauxhall Prince Henry

Prince Henry Vauxhall
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Vauxhall Prince Henry (1912 example)
Overview
ManufacturerVauxhall
Production1911 – 1914
AssemblyLuton
DesignerLaurence Pomeroy
Body and chassis
ClassSports car
LayoutFR layout
Powertrain
EngineI4
1911—3 L (3,054 cc)
1913—4 L (3,969 cc)
Transmissionfour-speed sliding-pinion gearbox, live axle
Dimensions
Wheelbase1911—117 in (2,972 mm)
1913—120 in (3,048 mm)
Length1911—159 in (4,039 mm)
1913—162 in (4,115 mm)
depends on body style
Widthdepends on body style
Heightdepends on body style
Kerb weight1,250 kg (2,756 lb) depends on body
Chronology
PredecessorVauxhall 20 hp
SuccessorVauxhall 30-98
Prince Henry engine
20 and 24
Overview
ManufacturerVauxhall
Layout
ConfigurationStraight 4-cylinder
Displacement1911—3,054 cc (186 cu in)
1913—3,969 cc (242 cu in)
Cylinder bore1911—90 mm (3.5 in)
1913—95 mm (3.7 in)
Piston stroke1911—120 mm (4.7 in)
1913—140 mm (5.5 in)
Cylinder block materialcast iron monobloc
Cylinder head materialnon-detachable L-head
Valvetrainmechanically operated, side by side.
Side-valves operated by push rods from a camshaft low in the block
Combustion
Fuel systemignition by high-tension magneto
single Zenith carburettor
Fuel typepetrol
Cooling systemFan; Water pump driven by leather belt
Output
Power output1911—60 bhp (45 kW; 61 PS) @2,800 rpm
1913—75 bhp (56 kW; 76 PS)
maximum speed 2,500 r.p.m.

Tax horsepower
1911— 20.09
1913— 23.82
Chronology
PredecessorVauxhall 20 hp
Successor3-litre—none
4-litre—Vauxhall 30-98

The Vauxhall Prince Henry was a car manufactured by Vauxhall from 1911 to 1914. It had a length of around 4.05 metres (159.4 in) and a weight of 1,250 kg (2,756 lb) depending on the model and the coachwork fitted.

It is often thought of as the first sports car insofar as its high performance depends less on brute strength and more on overall excellence of design and sturdiness of construction.