Vauxhall Prince Henry 1920 Overview
The Vauxhall Prince Henry is a British sports-saloon car produced by Vauxhall Motors, a subsidiary of Stellantis. The model name refers to a 1910s racing and road car series, and by 1920 the Prince Henry line continued as a high-performance variant of the Vauxhall 30-98. The 1920 Prince Henry typically used a 4.5-liter inline-four engine with a distinctive aluminum body and a tuned chassis designed for speed and roadholding. Production numbers remain low, with surviving examples tracked by the Vauxhall Motor Club and specialist registers as rare early British sports cars. The model is frequently cited in classic car valuation guides alongside other pre-war British marques.
Current market interest focuses on the 1920 Prince Henry as a pre-war British sports saloon with racing heritage. Auction houses such as Bonhams and RM Sotheby's list surviving examples, with prices influenced by originality, engine specification, and documented history. The car is often compared to contemporary Bentley 3-litre and Sunbeam models in terms of performance and prestige. Insurance and valuation services use factory records, chassis numbers, and period photographs to verify authenticity. The model's status as a rare early Vauxhall performance car supports strong collector demand in the UK and international classic car markets.
Technical Specifications and Performance
Engine, Chassis, and Dimensions
The 1920 Vauxhall Prince Henry used a 4.5-liter inline-four engine with an output of around 90 to 100 bhp, depending on tuning and specification. The chassis featured a perimeter frame, semi-elliptic leaf springs, and four-wheel brakes on later examples, with a top speed reported near 85 mph. Body styles included a two-door sports saloon and open tourer, with aluminum panels and coachbuilt variations. Dimensions varied by coachbuilder, but typical length was around 170 inches with a wheelbase near 120 inches. Weight was roughly 2,500 to 2,800 lbs, giving a power-to-weight ratio competitive for its era.
Performance benchmarks for the Prince Henry include acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in roughly 12 to 14 seconds, with a top speed around 80 to 85 mph. The engine used a Solex or Claudel-Hobson carburetor, a high-lift camshaft, and a tuned exhaust system for improved output. Transmission was a four-speed manual gearbox with a cone-type clutch. Suspension and steering design emphasized stability at high speeds, with rack-and-pinion steering fitted on many examples. These technical details are documented in Vauxhall factory records and specialist publications on pre-war British cars.
Market Value, Collectibility, and Ownership
Current Valuation and Auction Results
Current valuation for a Vauxhall Prince Henry 1920 ranges from approximately 150,000 to 350,000 USD, depending on condition, originality, and provenance. Concours-quality examples with documented racing history command higher prices, while unrestored or project cars sell at lower levels. Auction results from Bonhams and RM Sotheby's show consistent demand, with select sales achieving above-estimate prices for well-documented cars. The market is supported by a small but dedicated collector base focused on pre-war British sports cars.
Ownership and maintenance require access to specialist parts suppliers, experienced Vauxhall restorers, and period-correct components. The Vauxhall Motor Club and the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust provide technical archives, service records, and support for owners. Insurance for the Prince Henry typically falls under agreed-value classic car policies,