This is the first Vauxhall to come off the Luton factory assembly line after production was transferred from London.

After initially specialising in motor and marine engineering, Vauxhall began producing cars in 1903. The need for expansion came quickly but with space restricted in London, it was decided that vehicle production would be transferred to a new factory based in Luton. Production of Vauxhall vehicles continued there for a century until the factory closed in March 2025.

During the move to Luton in 1904, chief designer Frederick William Hodges, was busy creating a less expensive alternative to the 12/14hp model. The new 7/9hp retained the oblong radiator and pointed front and a T-head engine with three cylinders cast separately, but had a smaller engine capacity (at only 1.3 litres). It meant that unless a coachbuilder could be commissioned to make a lightweight body, the car was painfully slow!

The three-speed gearbox has a reverse and the unusual wavy rear mudguards enclose a chain drive to each rear wheel. A windscreen could be added as an optional extra. With only 52 of this model built, it had a relatively short-lived production; consequently, there are very few of these early Vauxhall cars remaining.