 1920 D-Type |
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1921 Vauxhall 30/98E news, pictures, and information | ||
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The original 30/98 was solidly built, which made it heavy, but it was also fast, and combined impressive performance with good road holding by the standards of the 1920's.
A fully road-equipped 30/98 was capable of around 85 mph, and when stripped for racing the company guaranteed a top-speed in excess of 100 mph for the later overhead-valve models, a capability demonstrated at Brooklands on numerous occasions.
About 270 cars were built before a redesign followed in 1922, which produced the equally legendary OE-Type. The main change was to the engine, which was converted to overhead-valve operation on advice from Ricardo (this explains the 'O' of the new title). This vehicle produced a rousing 115 horsepower. It was an outstanding car, though increasingly this was measured by pre-war standards, and compared to the Bentley it was still a light motor car.
Alexander Wilson founded the company in Vauxhall, London in 1857. Originally it was named Alex Wilson and Company, then Vauxhall Iron Works. The company built pumps and marine engines. In 1903, the company built its first car, a five horsepower model steered using a tiller, with two forward gears and no reverse gear. In 1925, Vauxhall was bought by GM for $2.5 million.
The performance era of Vauxhall really came into form when L.H Pomeroy was made chief engineer. He had a passion for racing and was able to convince his bosses that they should try their luck in the racing area. By 1910, the company had built their first hand-built sporting vehicle and raced in the German Prince Henry trials. The cars endured amazing success. To commemorate, a series of road going cars, dubbed the 'Prince Henry', were created.
In 1913, the Vauxhall 30/98 was introduced. Within time, it evolved into one of the fastest road-going cars available, with a large and powerful engine that was able to carry the vehicle to speeds reaching 100 mph. The car came with an expensive price tag, making it very exclusive and rare.
After World War I, the 30/98 E-Type model was introduced. During the pre-War era, the company had produced the B, C, and D-Type versions of the 30/98. The E-Type had a side-valve engine that produced around 90 horsepower. The performance was good and the car was well constructed; the main drawbacks was its weight.
Production of the E-Type continued until 1922, with around 270 examples being constructed. Vauxhall introduced the OE-Type; the main changes were improvements to the engine. The 'O' represented the new overhead-valve operated engine, which helped boost horsepower output to 115. Later, power was increased again, now to 120 bhp.
Production continued until 1927, with a total of 312 examples being constructed.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2008
For more information and related vehicles, click hereThe performance era of Vauxhall really came into form when L.H Pomeroy was made chief engineer. He had a passion for racing and was able to convince his bosses that they should try their luck in the racing area. By 1910, the company had built their first hand-built sporting vehicle and raced in the German Prince Henry trials. The cars endured amazing success. To commemorate, a series of road going cars, dubbed the 'Prince Henry', were created.
In 1913, the Vauxhall 30/98 was introduced. Within time, it evolved into one of the fastest road-going cars available, with a large and powerful engine that was able to carry the vehicle to speeds reaching 100 mph. The car came with an expensive price tag, making it very exclusive and rare.
After World War I, the 30/98 E-Type model was introduced. During the pre-War era, the company had produced the B, C, and D-Type versions of the 30/98. The E-Type had a side-valve engine that produced around 90 horsepower. The performance was good and the car was well constructed; the main drawbacks was its weight.
Production of the E-Type continued until 1922, with around 270 examples being constructed. Vauxhall introduced the OE-Type; the main changes were improvements to the engine. The 'O' represented the new overhead-valve operated engine, which helped boost horsepower output to 115. Later, power was increased again, now to 120 bhp.
Production continued until 1927, with a total of 312 examples being constructed.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2008
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