For a car to be ultra-rare, it doesn’t need to be an exotic brand – for what you see here is one of the rarest cars in the world, but one which wears the humblest of badges.
One of just 15 known survivors globally, this 1940 Vauxhall Wyvern Caleche was one of an extremely limited number of cars built on the Vauxhall 10/12 light car chassis. This one’s a 12, meaning it has the 35bhp 1,442cc engine shared with the Vauxhall 12 saloon. The Caleche was an Australian-market special, bodied by General Motors Holden’s Ltd, which later became the Holden Car Company. The chassis were exported from Vauxhall Motors in Luton to Holden’s assembly plant at Marrickville, New South Wales, where a locally produced convertible body was added. The majority were assembled in NSW but a handful were also constructed at Fisherman’s Bend in Melbourne.
This one is one of only three Caleches in the UK, imported from Ipswich, Queensland, in 2011 and fully restored by its previous owner in Australia, at a cost of over £70,000. Sadly, the most recent owner has recently passed away and the car needs a new home. It has been prepared for sale by a well-respected vehicle restorer and is sold in perfect working order.
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
Supplied new in Queensland in 1940
Imported to the UK in 2011
Documentation from Society of British Automotive Historians confirming build date in line with chassis number
Age correct registration number
Matching engine number
History file, photos and newspaper articles included
£70k+ restoration by Australian owner
32k miles believed correct
THE INTERIOR
Fully retrimmed in chocolate brown leather
Original three-dial dash
Lucas electric wiper
Full weather equipment
Like most pre-war cars the Caleche is pretty basic inside, but the seats and door trims are beautiful, having been recovered in chocolate brown leather.
Otherwise, it’s a three-dial dash, smart brown box-weave carpets and the original, smart and unrestored steering wheel, which dominates the cabin.
The car also comes with a full set of side screens (which were unavailable to photograph) – a very rare feature for one of these cars.
THE EXTERIOR
Two-tone burgundy and black
Completely rebuilt and restored to original condition
Recovered hood
Excellent chassis
The Caleche was treated to a comprehensive restoration before it was imported to the UK, its Australian owner having kept the car for 35 years. During that time the car was both a hobby and a labour of love, with restoration work being carried out in stages as and when his budget allowed.
In total, he spent over £70,000 on the car, completely restoring, replacing or refurbishing every component. Since completion, the car has been kept indoors and used sparingly by both the Australian owner and its subsequent British keeper.
It’s an absolutely beautiful thing, with superb paint finish throughout, no dents or damage and excellent brightwork, while the chassis is excellent and the refurbished wheels are also in great order.
THE MECHANICS
Four-cylinder OHV 12hp engine
35bhp
three-speed manual
Full syncromesh
Compared with many cars of its era, the little Vauxhall is an absolute joy to drive and is surprisingly simple, with an electric starter and a full-synchromesh gearbox (Pub quiz fact: the Vauxhall 10/12 series was the first car in the world to have synchro on all gears).
It starts on the button and runs sweetly, with a simple three-speed manual gearchange and a steady, fuss-free idle, holding a constant temperature and with no evident problems. The vendor reports that it drives faultlessly and was mechanically overhauled as part of its restoration.
SUMMARY
This, then, is a real curiosity. According to the Vauxhall Owners’ Club of Australia, just 15 Caleches are known to exist worldwide. Of those, only three are in the UK, making this a hugely collectable and also historically significant car. It’s a superb restoration, too, presented in pretty much faultless condition and extremely pretty to look at.
It’s a real collectors’ piece, as well as being a genuinely usable and enjoyable vintage car that you can be proud to drive and show.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
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