Footnotes

• Vauxhall's first post-war offering, the L-Type commenced production in the autumn of 1948, replacing the essentially pre-war models with which the firm had resumed peacetime production. The L-Type was produced in two forms: 1.4-litre, four-cylinder Wyvern and 2.3-litre six-cylinder Velox, both of which came with three-speed manual gearboxes and Lockheed hydraulic brakes. Its styling bridged the wartime divide, the centre section recognisably belonging to the late 1930s while both the front and rear end treatments were new. Having only 35bhp on tap the Wyvern was never going to be an exciting performer (its top speed was 60mph) but with a fuel consumption of 30mpg it was much more economical than the heavier Velox. Production of L-Type Vauxhalls ceased in 1951, by which time 55,409 Wyverns and 76,919 Veloxes had been made.
  This L-Type Wyvern taxi will be familiar to all devotees of Yorkshire Television's popular 1960s-period drama series, 'Heartbeat', set in the fictional village of Aidensfield (actually Goathland in the North Yorkshire Moors National Park). In the series the Vauxhall - registered 'GCO 110' - is owned by Scripps' Garage proprietor Bernie Scripps, taxi operator and funeral director. The car is offered fresh from recent restoration in the workshops of Classic Action Vehicles, of Boston Spa, West Yorkshire where work carried out included fitting new sills, renovating both front wing bottoms and repainting as required. In addition, the water pump was replaced, the brakes relined and wheel cylinders checked, while four years ago all four doors had new bottoms welded in and were repainted. At time of cataloguing both bumpers were away being re-chromed. We are advised that the engine runs well and is quiet, that the gearbox and rear axle work correctly, and that all four tyres are good (spare serviceable). The original interior shows some signs of wear but then it is 61 years old! Laid up for 25 years by the last, long-term owner, the car displays a believed-genuine total of 55,558 miles on the odometer and is offered with old-style logbook, fresh MoT/tax and Swansea V5. The television display plates 'GCO 110' come with the car.
  

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Category: Motoring / Motor Cars

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