'The years from 1908 to 1925 mark Vauxhall's golden age.' - Michael Sedgwick, Vauxhall, Dalton Watson, London, 1981.

Famous at the turn of the 19th Century for its marine engines, Vauxhall Ironworks Ltd built its first automobile, a single-cylinder, tiller-steered runabout, in 1903.

A range of three-cylinder cars with wheel steering followed, the first of which was seen in 1904.

Prior to 1925, when Vauxhall was taken over by General Motors, the company was renowned for producing handsome, finely engineered cars that put it on a par with Bentley or Sunbeam.

Laurence Pomeroy's tenure as Chief Engineer saw the firm, which had relocated to Luton, produce some of the truly outstanding designs of the Edwardian period, commencing with the 20hp Prince Henry in 1910.

A larger (4.0-litre) version of the Prince Henry's four-cylinder sidevalve engine was developed for its successor, the D-Type, which is perhaps best remembered for its role as a WWI staff car.

With the return of peacetime pro...