1957)
| Production | 1951-1957 235,296 made |
|---|---|
| Assembly | Luton, Bedfordshire, England Australia, Petone, New Zealand |
| Body style | 4-door saloon estate car 2-door tourer 2-door coupe utility |
| Engine | 2275 cc I6 ohv 55 bhp (41 kW) 2262 cc I6 ohv 64 bhp (48 kW) 2262 cc I6 ohv 67.5 bhp (50.3 kW) |
| Transmission | 3-speed manual |
| Wheelbase | 103 in (2,616 mm) |
| Length | 172 in (4,369 mm) |
| Width | 67 in (1,702 mm) |
| Height | 63.5 in (1,613 mm) |
| Curb weight | 2,352 lb (1,067 kg) - 2,436 lb (1,105 kg) |
| Related | Vauxhall Cresta EIPC Vauxhall Wyvern EIX |
In 1951 a longer, wider Velox was launched, designated as the EIP series, and featuring a modern 'three box' shape and integral construction. The body was again shared with the 4-cylinder-engined Wyvern. The car was launched with the previous model's engine but with power output increased to 58 bhp (43 kW). Wyvern and Velox models were also assembled at the General Motors New Zealand plant in Petone, north of Wellington.
A car with the original 2275 cc engine tested by The Motor magazine in 1951 had a top speed of 77.4 mph (124.6 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 23.7 seconds. A fuel consumption of 23.5 miles per imperial gallon (12.0 L/100 km; 19.6 mpg) was recorded. The test car cost £802 including taxes. In the same year, the magazine tested the similarly sized Ford Zephyr Six. Ford's test car was fitted with options including a radio, a heater and leather seating: thus equipped the Zephyr came with a recommended retail price of £842.
In April 1952 the Velox was redesignated as the EIPV series, and received a new over-square 2262 cc engine which had been in the development pipeline for several years. This provided either 64 bhp (48 kW) or, with a compression ratio improved to 7.6:1, 68 bhp (51 kW) of power.
A further test in 1952 by The Motor magazine of the EIPV with the short stroke 2262 cc engine, found the top speed had increased to 80.4 mph (129.4 km/h) and accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) to 21.4 seconds. A similar fuel consumption of 23.6 miles per imperial gallon (12.0 L/100 km; 19.7 mpg) was recorded. The test car cost had risen to £833 including taxes.
1955 saw a significant facelift. Most obvious of the many cosmetic changes was a new front grille. More important was the introduction at this time of a sister model, branded as the Vauxhall Cresta. In addition to superior equipment levels, the Cresta was distinguished by a two tone paint finish.
Detroit was by now favouring annual facelifts, and Vauxhall reflected that trend, announcing further facelifts in 1956 (wind-up windows, larger rear window, wider grille slats, replacement of trafficators with flashing lights) and 1957 (electric wipers, larger tail lights, new grille) in line with the Wyvern model. Technically, however, there were no further changes until the arrival of a completely new Velox in October 1957.
Read more about this topic: Vauxhall Velox, Velox EIP/EIPV (1951