When, where, what, who? A Vauxhall Prince Henry mystery

This great atmospheric photograph was used a few years ago to celebrate the great Vauxhall marque – by Vauxhall. With it came a press release full of the usual praise and glorification about Vauxhall, mentioning between the lines – or actually in its heading, to be more precise – that the noble Vauxhall C10 ‘Prince Henry’ was in fact Britain’s first sports car. Several media took that for granted and we found that some had even turned it into ‘The World’s First Sports Car’, perhaps just to make it a bit more spectacular? Well, who are we to question that!

But then, the Prince Henry by designer Laurence Henry Pomeroy was a spectacular car. Let’s not go into that direction; you will know it. And if not, you will find out easily enough. However, we do wonder what the actual picture shows, as the press release did not mention that. Is this one of the three pre-production C10s that were built for the 1910 Motor Trials named in honour of Prince Henry of Prussia? If so, Vauxhall boss Percy Crosbie Kidner may well be the man seen behind the wheel.

The number plate can be seen but not really read because of the dirt from the road. Perhaps the motorcycle – DI-106 – could be the lead to the answer? And how about the backdrop? Surely a hotel, judging from the sign just visible in the top centre..?

Words: Jeroen Booij
Picture: Vauxhall PR

Published:

Friday January 9th, 2026

Ariejan Bos

13 January, 15:00

The photo appeared already in the book From Veteran to Vintage by Kent Karslake and Laurence Pomeroy on p.83, published in 1956.

russell curtis

12 January, 06:05

motorcycle front numberplate looks to be an example of early photographic manipulation

Ian PARSONS

11 January, 19:20

This is a well known photo and Nic Portway has used it in one of his booklets. He captioned it
"Lawrence Pomeroy with a late production 3 litre Prince Henry chassis prior to having its coachwork mounted. The picture was taken at Mrs Bevan's Lyn Valley Hotel in Lynmouth, a favourite destination for long distance testing."

The chassis isrunning with a Vauxhall Motors trade plate.

Paul Crowther

11 January, 12:12

Other sources state that the photograph was taken outside the Porlock Weir hotel in Somerset, England.
Porlock Hill was one of the steepest in the country, and even when I worked in Vauxhall's Engineering Department in the 1970's Porlock HIll was still used for cooling tests.

Terry Cockerell

11 January, 10:57

The right front mudguard seems to have copped a bashing .................... and yet the driver was smiling.

Don Larkin

10 January, 01:35

As Kieran White has pointed out the motorcycle is registered in Co Roscommon, Ireland & also the fact that there are a substantial number of Rolls Royce Ghosts registered in Co Sligo coincidentally the prototype Vauxhall Prince Henry C10 was also registered in Co Sligo as EI 641 which has been part of The Vauxhall heritage collection since 1946.

Geoff Ironside

10 January, 00:23

I think the motor cycle might be a Zenith JAP ?

Karel Vermeer

09 January, 09:56

see text near the picture

Kieran White

09 January, 00:43

The motorcycle was registered in Co. Roscommon, Ireland but the owner was S Hollbrook Crow of Croydon, Surrey.
This often happened because of the culture of operating speed traps in England. Irish County Councils would not cooperate with English police in revealing the ownership of the offending vehicle.
For example there were several RR 40/50s registered in Sligo that never appeared on Irish roads.

keith kuehn

09 January, 00:34

Plate is A8V..........

Four more years and those men would be off to war. when I see a photo from this period, I always wonder how many returned home....

When, where, what, who? A Vauxhall Prince Henry mystery

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