The first new post-war Vauxhalls were the 1948 L-Type Wyvern and Velox, but they were clearly derived from the pre-war 12-4 and 14-6. In contrast, the E-Series looked completely different when it debuted on 24th August 1951, and Luton assured potential buyers: ‘Whatever point of view you judge from – performance, appearance, or anything else – you are going to agree that these new Vauxhalls are really something.’ Furthermore, they promised: ‘With the new Vauxhalls, it is love at first sight and love that lasts.’ The unitary bodywork, reminiscent of the 1949 Chevrolet, undeniably had a certain panache. David Jones, the company’s Director of Styling, told the press that the E-Series was ‘Modern, and will be a delight to own, a joy on the modern highway.’
The Wyvern cost £740 7s 6d, was powered by a 1442cc four-cylinder engine and rivalled the Austin A40 Devon, the Ford Consul MkI, the Hillman Minx and the Morris Oxford MO. The 2.3-litre six-cylinder Velox was £803 12s 3d and competed with the Austin A70 Hereford, the Ford Zephyr-Six and the Standard Vanguard Phase I.
Both Vauxhall models featured mechanical-drive wipers, counterbalanced windows and a bonnet that could be opened from either side. The Velox had a rear folding armrest and twin wind-tone horns, and your friendly local Vauxhall dealer would also sell you a tempting array of accessories, from a fog lamp (£4 12s 6d), wing mirror (13s 6d) or heater (£10 10s) to Screenclean windscreen washers at just £2 5s 0d.
Vauxhall reserved 65% of their production run for export,
