Lady Windermere’s Vauxhall

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Autumn is on its way here, which means that Spring is near on the other side of our globe. This lovely photograph, from the collection of the National Library of Australia, shows spring in all its blossomy splendour in Canberra, somewhere in the 1930s. The picture stood out to us for two reasons: today is Friday and we continue showing you our famous Friday Lady-series. Secondly because of that magnificent motor – a Vauxhall Grosvenor Big Six we believe (do correct us if we are wrong).

Now, the Big Six happens to be one of no less than 12 Vauxhalls being offered by Brightwells Auctioneers on the 24th of this month, and all of these cars come from the Vauxhall’s Heritage Collection. There are some nice Pre-Wars and to start with that Big Six and stick to the Friday Lady-theme: the one on offer is a 1935 long-wheelbase car that was bought new by Miss Gwendolen Smith of Windermere. During her ownership Miss Smith was chauffeur-driven and the car was embossed with the family crest on the car’s rear doors. The next owner – a man – kept it for no less than 55 years only to be sold and restored in the mid-1990s – to another woman. It is believed to be just 1 of 9 survivors and is estimated to sell at £12,000 to £14,000.

Another nice Vauxhall on offer is a 1937 H-type 10/4 that’s known as ‘The Duchess’. History doesn’t tell us why, but the fact that Vauxhall Heritage only became the second owner after purchasing it from the original owner - who bought it as a teenager in 1938 – tells us it must have had a nice slice of history and tender loving care! It has no reserve price.

Another Vauxhall from the collection is this 1934 Light Six ASY. Its history is not complete but it comes with an old-style logbook, adverts, clippings and letters. One of these from a previous long term owner states that they sold it in around 1964, joining Vauxhall's PR department in 1992. The engine needs assembling but the car looks fine and – again – comes at no reserve. Also very desirable is a 1924 Vauxhall M-Type 14/40 with ‘Melton’ two-seater dickey coachwork by the factory, Joseph Fray (of Birmingham) aftermarket Griffin mascot and with an almost complete history from the day it was sold in London. Again – at no reserve…

Words by Jeroen Booij. Pictures Frank Hurley/National Library of Australia, Brightwells Auctioneers.

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