CLASSICS CHATTER AUCTION UPDATES: 1921 VAUXHALL 30-98 E-TYPE VELOX TOURER - BONHAMS AUCTIONS GOODWOOD MEMBERS MEETING SALE SUNDAY 18th MARCH 2018

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TODAY WE FEATURE

BONHAMS AUCTIONS

GOODWOOD MEMBERS MEETING SALE

SUNDAY 18th MARCH 2018

GOODWOOD CIRCUIT, CHICHESTER

1921 VAUXHALL 30-98 E-TYPE VELOX TOURER

Registration no. AD 8735

Chassis no. E303

* Listed in the Vauxhall 30-98 Register

* Rebuilt by Alistair Templeton between 1987 and 1992

* Body by Eric Peppercorn

* Extensively campaigned

* Maintained by recognised specialists

This is a most handsome example of what is considered by many knowledgeable enthusiasts to be the finest British sporting car of the Vintage period. Vauxhall 30-98 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.

The 'big engine/lightweight car' formula has been repeated to good effect many times throughout the history of the sporting motor car, and Vauxhall's famous 30-98 was one of its earliest successful applications. As has so often been the case, the spur behind this particular combination was the desire for competition success; the first 30-98 being constructed in 1913 at the behest of a car dealer and motorsport competitor, Joseph Higginson. Higginson's first objective was a victory in the Shelsley Walsh hill climb in June of that year, and the Laurence Pomeroy-designed 30-98 duly obliged, setting a hill record in the process which was to stand for 15 years.

Laurence Pomeroy's tenure as Vauxhall's Chief Engineer saw the Luton-based concern produce some of the truly outstanding designs of the Edwardian period, commencing with the 20hp Prince Henry in 1910. A larger version of the Prince Henry's four-cylinder side-valve engine was developed for its successor, the D-Type, which, with some 70bhp on tap, was good for 70mph-plus when not overburdened by formal coachwork. Pomeroy's 30-98 was powered by a 4½-litre, four-cylinder, side-valve engine - in effect a stretched version of Prince Henry/D-Type's - mounted in a conventional but lightweight chassis; suspension being by beam axle at the front and a live axle at the rear, with semi-elliptic springs all around. Power was transmitted via a multi-plate clutch to a robust four-speed gearbox, and thence via a short prop-shaft to the straight-cut bevel rear axle. The braking system consisted of a foot-operated transmission brake and a handbrake operating on the two rear drums, the front wheels being un-braked.

At first glance this unremarkable specification seems an unlikely one for a performance car - even an Edwardian example - but the 30-98's 90bhp-plus power output, combined with a weight of only 24cwt (with the factory-built, four-seater 'Velox' tourer coachwork) gave it a formidable power-to-weight ratio for the time. A fully road-equipped 30-98 was capable of around 85mph, and when stripped for racing the company guaranteed a top-speed in excess of 100mph for the later overhead-valve models, a capability demonstrated at Brooklands on numerous occasions.

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' - its Prince Henry predecessor having been the 'C' and the 25hp Tourer the 'D'. Manufacture of the E-type ceased in September 1922 after 287 cars had been constructed, there then being a slight hiatus in production before its successor, the overhead-valve 'OE', commenced delivery to customers in early 1923.

Listed in the Vauxhall Register, chassis number 'E303' was dispatched from the factory on 22nd March 1921. Sadly, nothing is known of the car's early history, though the registration number is believed to be the original for 'E303' (see period photograph supplied).

Between 1987 and 1992, 'E303' was rebuilt to exacting standards by renowned marque specialist, Alistair Templeton. The chassis needed some repair, which was carried out by a trusted expert, Julian Ghosh (Green Farm Racing). The body was built by Eric Peppercorn, a recognised authority on Vauxhall bodies, while this car's dashboard has been illustrated in the 30-98 Register. All the instruments and controls are original and include a Watford rev counter, Watford clock, Watford speedometer, Ki-Gas primer, dash light, CAV switch panel, and Vauxhall air and oil pressure gauges.

'E303' has a Delage D8 front axle, a common and beneficial modification, accepted and indeed encouraged by marque specialists, which delivers greatly improved braking. The bodywork is finished in Royal Blue with black wings and running boards skinned in aluminium. The upholstery is deep-buttoned grey leather, while the carpet is grey (in rear footwell only). Other noteworthy features include a very good hood and tonneau, with half zip, and a luggage rack. The vendor advises us that the car is very well presented throughout and in sound working order.

'E303' was purchased from Alistair Templeton by Brian and Ruth Moore in 1993, and was sold on by them to John Brydon in 2001 before being transferred to his son's ownership in 2007. It is reported that the car was rallied extensively during this period. The current owner acquired the 30-98 in 2013 and since then has enjoyed many private tours in it, including a 1,000-mile road trip in the summer of 2017. The car has been well maintained over the years, as evidenced by numerous invoices from recognised specialists such as Arthur Archer and Brewster Mudie in the history file, which also contains a number of expired MoT certificates and tax discs. A copy of the current Vauxhall Register and a V5C Registration Certificate are also included