Offered from the David Biggins Collection
1927 Vauxhall '30-98' Tourer

• Built on a Julian Ghosh chassis
• Constructed using mainly Vauxhall 23-60 components
• Extensively campaigned in VSCC events
• Affordable alternative to 'the real thing'

The Vauxhall 30-98 is considered by many knowledgeable enthusiasts to be the finest British sporting car of the Vintage period. Its adherents will maintain that while Bentley generated greater publicity - thanks largely to their victories at Le Mans - the Vauxhall company (which raced at both Grand Prix and Tourist Trophy level before the Great War) had produced a car which could run rings around 3-Litre Bentleys on cross-country journeys.

Only a handful of cars were sold before the outbreak of WWI interrupted production, and when manufacture resumed in 1919, the model was given the designation 'E-Type'. Manufacture of the E-type ceased in September 1922 after 287 cars had been constructed; there was then a slight hiatus before its successor, the overhead-valve 'OE', commenced delivery in early 1923. Despite a reduction in capacity to 4.2 litres, the power of the OHV motor went up to 110bhp-plus, although this increase made little difference to the car's performance.

The OE was not to gain front-wheel brakes until late 1923, when a cable system was introduced. This was operated, along with the transmission brake, by the foot pedal. Hydraulic actuation of the front-wheel and transmission brakes was adopted in 1926. By the time the final batch of OE chassis had been completed in early 1927, there were few customers for the 30-98, the antiquity of the design telling against it when compared to the more refined competition from Bentley and Sunbeam. Total production of OEs numbered 312 cars.

Based on a chassis produced by renowned specialist Julian Ghosh, this '30-98' was assembled using a variety of Vauxhall parts, mainly from the 23-60 model. In its first, late-1990s incarnation the car was powered by a Hispano-Suiza 12-Litre aircraft engine, but after the owner entered the London-Cape Town reliability trial the decision was made that a Vauxhall engine would produce the power and longevity required, as a result the car now has the more appropriate four-cylinder 4.2-litre Vauxhall engine installed. The similarities between the 23-60 and 30-98 made it possible to build a car very close to 30-98 specification: the front and rear axles are OD, the former being narrowed, while the gearbox (number '4026A') is 23-60 and the clutch a modern unit. Reputedly, parts of the body came from another 30-98 (according to the printed 30-98 register, this was OE102), with other parts fabricated to suit. It's original fitment with the large aero engine was what necessitated the very striking long bonnet and rearwards positioned seating. Interestingly the front seats were fabricated by the owner to emulate those fitted to the De Havilland Dragon Rapide aircraft, and are said to be very comfortable over long distances.

The car was finished in time for the 1998 London-Cape Town Reliability Trial, and it has been used on numerous international tours over the years, and it has continued to be campaigned regularly at prominent VSCC events, achieving a high profile over the years. 'DB 7665' has been running and driving within the last couple of months, but would benefit from detailing to realise its full potential for trials and other forms of motor sport. Looking like a 'proper' 30-98, but available at a fraction of the cost of an original, this exciting car is a most attractive prospect for the enthusiastic 'Vintagent'.