The history, the Griffin and how it all began...

How it all began.

Vauxhall, the British automotive company, originally built its first motor car in 1903, but its foundations actually stretch back to 1857, when the company was better known as Vauxhall Iron Works. The first Vauxhall was in fact built by Vauxhall Iron Works, but successor models, which followed very quickly, dropped the ‘Iron Works’ title to form Vauxhall Motors.

Original 4 seater

Vauxhall Iron Works originally engineered marine engines along with other engineering items at Wandsworth Road, Vauxhall, London. It was set up by Alexander Wilson who founded the Alexander Wilson & Co, Engineers in 1857. Using the Fulk’s griffin badge as a logo, he would later leave the company in 1894 and, three years later in 1897, the company’s name was changed to the Vauxhall Iron Works Co Ltd.

Powering their first car was a small 1 cylinder marine petrol engine, which originally powered a small riverboat (or river launch), the Jabberwock. 40 ‘A719’ engines were eventually built, each producing 5 hoursepower. They powered the first ‘horseless carriage’ (the term which the first motor vehicles were know by, due to the fact they could move without a horse being needed to pull them) that Vauxhall would produce, which was sold on the 1st of May 1903.

The car was built in two versions – a two seater for £136.50 or a four seater for £154 – which featured 2 forward gears, no reverse and tiller steering – a clue to the cars marine heritage.

2 seater model

Only two of the 1903 four seater models remain in existence, one of which is owned by Vauxhall's heritage collection along with a 1904 2 seater. The last we heard of the other 1903 four seater is that it is on loan to a science museum.

The company quickly expanded and used a number of premises within the Vauxhall area, but due to a lack of much needed space, the company moved to Luton in 1905. It is rumoured that Luton was chosen due to the links with the company’s griffin logo. 

The Griffin. 

Vauxhall’s famous griffin logo has undergone numerous changes and adjustments since the company produce its first car in 1903. Most recent changes came in 2008 when, combining the launch of the new Insignia family car and new design language for the company, the griffin was enlarged to focus around the birds head, wing and V-flag. But the logo’s origins date back to the 13th century…

The use of the griffin logo date back to when the company was better known as the Vauxhall Iron Works Co Ltd. The logo was originally used when Alexander Wilson used it for setting it for his engineering company, the Alexander Wilson & Co, Engineers in 1857, but upon him leaving the company, it was renamed Vauxhall Iron Works and the griffin logo stayed.

The location of the original factory, in Vauxhall, London, also played a part in the logo and name of Vauxhall. After its founder left the company at the end of 19th century, and the area name 'Vauxhall' was used in the new company name top emphasise its location. The logo was also derived from the area, which compassed the history of the area itself, dating back to the 1200’s.

Falkes di Breauté was a given use of the Manor of Luton for services to King John in the 13th century. Falkes married Margaret de Redvers, of the Fitzgerold family. She had a house in an area of London, south of the River Thames, which was known as Falkes Hall after the marrage. Over many years, the name was corrupted to Foxhall and then finally Vauxhall, the area of which Alexander Wilson founded his engineering works.

Using the coat of arms of Falkes di Breauté, the griffin logo was derived to show the origins of the machinery produced, in Vauxhall, London. When expansion was needed, rumour has it that the logo, with its connection with the Manor of Luton, played a part in the company’s relocation.

The griffin itself is a mythical creature, known for having the body of a loin and wings of a eagle. Traditionally, the lion is known as the king of beasts, and the griffin, the king of birds, but the griffin was to be thought to be especially powerful and majestic, known for guarding treasure.

The modern day logo is far simpler in design than the original and since the 1920’s has undergone many modifications. The logo is now circular rather than square, as to fit into the same space as the Opel logo, Vauxhall’s sister company which produce the same vehicles as Vauxhall. Both companies are owned by General Motors.

The First Models

1926 Vauxhall 15/49

Vauxhall was originally characterised for its sporting pedigree which ran throughout all its initial models. The first car that Vauxhall would produce was the Y-type Y1. This car was very successful at the RAC rally, and therefore went on to create the Vauxhall A09, later known as the A-type. It was a well respect 3-litre car that was produced from the 27th October 1908 until the breakout of World War 1 in 1914. One final A-type was constructed in 1920 that could exceed 100mph.

1903 Vauxhall

In 1910, the C-type was launched. This was a replica of the cars that took part in the 1910 Prince Henry trails, and although they were not outright winners, their respectable performance lead onto a production car. C-types were better known as Prince Henrys.

During the World War 1, the C-type platform continued production, however it was combined with a de-rated engine. Large numbers of this vehicle were produced for staff cars for the British forces.  It was known as the D-type.

1904 Vauxhall

After the war, the sporting E-type was introduced alongside the D-type but the demand for strong pedigree and expensive cars was fading and Vauxhall struggled to make a profit. Laurence Pomeroy, who was responsible for much of Vauxhall’s success and for the engine of the Y-type Y1, which made Vauxhall reputable a car maker, left the company in 1919 and moved to the United States. His replacement was C. E. King but despite making good cars, profit was missing from the car maker and a strategic partner was sought.

In 1925, Vauxhall was brought out by General Motors for $2.5 million and the image and target market of the marker quickly changed. After the World War 2, models were targeted towards a lower cost, mass-market product, which drove on rapid expansion of the company. This philosophy, along with the American owners, remained throughout the rest of the history of the car maker. 

1903 Vauxhall

Sources


http://www.dinesh.com/history_of_logos/car_logos_-_design_and_history/vauxhall_logo_-_design_and_history.html
http://www.vauxhall.co.uk/about-vauxhall/company-information/about-us.html
Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile. Londonhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/sep/10/vauxhall-history
http://www.vauxhall.co.uk/about-vauxhall/company-information/about-us.html