1956 Vauxhall Velox E

Lot details Registration No: SWK 292 Chassis No: E1PV228105 MOT: Exempt Subject to a comprehensive restoration which was completed last month Previous long-term ownership for some forty years Fully repainted in the original Silver Straw paintwork with a Garnet Red roof Pleasingly boasting most of its original interior PLEASE NOTE: The saleroom estimate for this lot is now £12,000 - £14,000 The colour of this lot is the factory correct, Silver Straw, not as previously catalogued. In 1951 a longer, wider Vauxhall Velox was launched, designated as the EIP series, and featuring a modern 'three box' shape and integral construction. The body was again shared with the four-cylinder-engined Vauxhall Wyvern. The car was launched with the previous model's engine but with power output increased to 58bhp. A car with the original 2275cc engine tested by The Motor magazine in 1951 had a top speed of 77.4 mph and could accelerate from 0-60 mph in 23.7 seconds. In April 1952 the Velox was re-designated as the EIPV series and received a new 2262cc engine which had been in development for several years. This provided either 64bhp or, with a compression ratio improved to 7.6:1, 68bhp of power. A further test in 1952 by The Motor magazine of the EIPV with the short stroke 2262cc engine, found the top speed had increased to 80.4 mph and acceleration from 0-60 mph to 21.4 seconds. The coupé utility continued on until officially withdrawn at the end of the 1957 model year. 1955 saw a significant facelift. Most obvious of the many cosmetic changes was a new front grille. More importantly was the introduction at this time of a sister model, branded as the Vauxhall Cresta. Manufactured new in 1956, this home-market Velox was registered new on the 15th of May that year. The early history of ‘SWK 292’ is unknown until the Velox was acquired by the previous owner some forty years ago. Used as a daily driver for a couple of decades, the Velox was then taken off the road and stood from 1999, until being acquired by the vendor last year as a restoration project. ‘SWK 292’ was thereafter stripped down, and the bodywork was found to be notably solid, only requiring some small areas of welding to the chassis rails and A-pillars. The engine was removed and the engine bay was stripped and painted, with bodywork receiving a full respray in the original factory hue of Silver Straw paint, allied with an attractive and complementary Garnet Red roof addition. The engine was overhauled, as well as the fitment of a renewed clutch, with the braking provided new brake shoes and bushes, as well as the suspension bushes being replaced. The fuel system was refreshed with the fuel tank removed and cleaned, and a new battery fitted. Cosmetically, the Velox then received some £1,500 worth of re-chroming, with the wheels sandblasted and powder coated, and shod with fresh whitewall tyres. Pleasingly retaining the majority of the original interior, the carpets have been refreshed. The restoration was completed last month, with the Velox featured at the NEC Practical Classics Restoration Show last month too. Offered with a current V5C document showing four former keepers. A rare sight and extremely stylish, ‘SWK 292’ is a scarce opportunity to acquire a freshly restored example of a 1950s Americana-inspired British classic. For more information, please contact: Paul Cheetham paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk 07538 667452