The first Vauxhall car, a five-horsepower model with tiller steering, was built by the Vauxhall Iron Works in 1903.

Named after the London district where the factory was originally located, the firm also manufactured pumps and marine engines.

A move to Luton was made shortly after auto production began.

In 1905, the talented L.

H.

Pomeroy joined the firm as a designer.

Already a sporting car enthusiast, Pomeroy would lead Vauxhall to introduce the 1911 ‘Prince Henry’.

This superbly balanced masterpiece is generally conceded to have been the first British sports car.

The ‘Prince Henry’ was followed by the 4.5-liter 30/98, a powerful (up to 120 bhp) sports chassis that remained in limited production over a 14-year span.

Pomeroy left Vauxhall in 1923 to pursue a career in the U.S.

His replacement, Harry (later Sir Harry) Ricardo, was also a brilliant technical innovator, his cylinder head designs would become legendary.

Ricardo designed a new Vauxhall, the mighty 25/70.

Costin...