A NEW book gearing up for Christmas tells the story of Vauxhall Motors' first 100 years.

Vauxhall – A Century in Motion traces the story from its origins in South London to present day, with pit stops at many major events along the way.

The first Vauxhall in 1903 was a five-horsepower vehicle with room for four passengers – but no reverse gear. A total of around 40 "horseless carriages" were sold in the first year, for the princely sum of £136 each.

One of these vehicles is still in working order to this day, making it the oldest original four-seater still in existence – it even took part in last month's Lord Mayor's Show in London, along with nine other Vauxhalls spanning the century.

The book follows the company's move to Luton in 1907; the acquisition by General Motors in the 1920s; its war effort during the 1940s which resulted in the Churchill Tank; and the opening of its production plant at Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, in the 1960s.

It also features a roll-call of classic car designs guaranteed to get any motoring enthusiast misty eyed with nostalgia, from the Hurlingham, Prince Henry and E-Type Velox in the first half of the 20th Century, to the more modern Chevette, Astra and Corsa.

Author and noted motoring historian David Burgess-Wise says: "Vauxhall is a fascinating company that has uniquely made the transition from limited production sporting cars to the provision of cars for Everyman, always with an eye to worthwhile technical innovation.

"And on the way it has created some immortal designs, like the Prince Henry – perhaps the first true sports car – and the 30-98, both cars I have always admired for their style and performance. This is a company that knows how to care for its past while keeping its eye on the future – a formula that has made its first 100 years an exciting ride."

The book also covers Vauxhall's Centenary activities during 2003, such as the hugely successful round-Britain 1,000-Mile Trial, which recreated a specially devised route from a century ago with more than 65 Vauxhalls from around the world.

And it takes the story up to date with Vauxhall's exciting new cars that will take it into its next century, such as the VX220 Turbo, Signum and Meriva – although the book had gone to press before the VX220 Turbo recently beat Aston Martin, Ferrari, BMW and Porsche to become What Car? magazine's Performance Car of the Year 2003.

Keeping everyone on the right road with the new book is former Vauxhall executive Ian Coomber.

Known as a world authority on the company, Ian helped with editing and also fleshed out some of the stories.

Now 59, Ian has been retired for two years from his position as director of sales and marketing at Vauxhall.

He lives in Felmersham, near Bedford, and owns three classic Vauxhalls.

Ian also drives a 1934 A-Type Saloon and a 1958 Cresta which competed in the Monte Carlo Rally in 1959 and 1960.

"It isn't just a book about cars but also the personalities involved," said Ian. "I enjoyed working on it."

Vauxhall – A Century in Motion (CW Publishing, £19.99 hardback, £14.99 paperback), which also features a foreword by Robert A Lutz, General Motors' vice chairman product development and chairman GM North America, is available now. Copies can be ordered from Vauxhall Heritage on 0121 522 5566 or by visiting www.vauxhallheritage.com – or from selected Vauxhall retailers nationwide.