1924 Vauxhall 30-98 OE Velox

The Vauxhall Ironworks was based near Vauxhall Bridge in London before the factory relocated to Luton in 1905, by which time the company had established its reputation for building high quality motorcars.

The 30-98 name appeared in 1913 - the ‘30’ is thought to be a reference to the power produced at 1000 rpm and ‘98’ being the maximum power output of its monobloc, four-cylinder, side-valve, 4,525cc engine, but that is an ongoing debate.

The early cars were known as the ‘E-Type’ before the superior ‘OE’ arrived in 1922. The chassis of the OE was lengthened and widened to provide more room for passengers and the engine was much improved with a detachable cylinder head and overhead valves. Capacity was smaller at 4,224cc but power was increased by some 30%. Early cars didn’t have front wheel brakes but cable-operated front brakes appeared in 1923.

The standard factory body was a lightweight, open four-seater design known as the Velox (latin for velocity).

The 30-98 was competitive on track at Brooklands and achieved many hillclimb successes. Today the 30-98 is seen as one of the most capable, versatile and best performing vintage sporting cars.

In the 1930s Phoenix Green Garage was known as the ‘home of the Vauxhall 30-98’. Indeed, the adjoining Phoenix Inn was owned by 30-98 racer and enthusiast Tim Carson who, with the then garage proprietors L. T. C. Rolt and John Passini, sold many 30-98s in the pre-war years.

It was perhaps inevitable that OE210 found its way to Phoenix Green Garage where it was advertised for sale in 1938. OE210 possibly remained unsold until after the war when sometime between 1946 and 1951 it was purchased by one R. N. Wellington.

A 2004 letter from Nic Portway (author of the definitive 30-98 book) to a previous owner states that OE210 had been dismantled by the time of R. N. Wellington’s purchase and that Wellington sold the car to Kinlochloe in the US in 1954. OE210 then passed through several US owners before British 30-98 specialist Julian Ghosh acquired it in a dismantled state and minus chassis and body panels. Ghosh returned the car to the UK and rebuilt it with a new replacement chassis (numbered OER 5/OE210) and a new ‘Peppercorn’ body. The engine, gearbox and many other parts present were from the original OE210.

Ghosh rebuilt the original engine to high-performance/competition specification using a balanced crankshaft, performance exhaust system and special camshaft and valve-gear.

On completion in 1992, vintage racing specialist Jeremy Brewster declared the car ‘the fastest 30-98 he had ever driven’ and ‘everything a Velox 30-98 OE should be’.

Ghosh then campaigned OER 5/OE210 in various VSCC trials, sprints and hillclimbs throughout the 1990s. The car’s next owner was Reading-based engineer and enthusiast Geoff Harris who purchased it in January 2000. Harris also competed with the car throughout the early 2000s achieving a 2nd in class in his first trial at Exmoor.

John Baldwin of Diss, Suffolk acquired the car in July 2003 before selling it to Roger Harrison of Ulverston, Cumbria in 2007 who in turn passed it on to a Mr. K. Howes in March 2008. John Noott of Broadway, Worcestershire was its registered keeper in 2009 before being purchased by the current owner in June 2010 with the intention of taking part in long distance rallies, tours and events.

Throughout his tenure the car has been event-prepared and maintained by numerous vintage specialists including Jeremy Brewster of Brewster Mudie Ltd, Paul Rogers Engineering, Blakeney Motorsport and GFR Engineering.

The engine was overhauled in 2013 when the cylinder head was replaced and new inlet and outlet valves fitted along with new valve springs and a competition sump. In 2015 the engine was stripped and inspected by Paul Rogers Engineering who confirmed the crankcase, cylinder head, flywheel, oil pump and crankshaft were all in good order but the block required a light skim and a conrod needed re-white metalling.

In 2017 the engine was stripped again and rebuilt by Brewster Mudie Ltd. The bores were honed and new piston rings fitted along with new crankshaft oil seals and cam followers.

The fuel delivery system was rebuilt in 2019 and new battery isolator switch, cigarette lighter connection, ignition coil and SU fuel pump fitted.

Brewster Mudie Ltd. carried out various refurbishment works between August 2020 and September 2021 which included stripping, cleaning and painting the chassis and front and rear axles. The front wings were repainted and the clutch, steering column, rear brakes and shock absorbers were all stripped, cleaned and rebuilt. The engine was compression tested and all four cylinders were found to be healthy with readings of 130 psi. A new battery and dynamo belt were also fitted with the invoices totalling £13,000. In addition the CAV headlights were restored by lighting experts Genius of the Lamp at a cost of £3,036.

More recent works include a general maintenance and overhaul in 2024 by Blakeney Motorsport which included a suspension geometry check, new steering arm, rod balls and cups, new magneto, and a full clutch rebuild at a cost of over £20,000.

This high-performing and well-maintained 30-98 is now available for sale and ready for its next adventures. The car is UK registered and comes complete with a comprehensive history file containing many invoices and MOT certificates along with VSCC eligibility papers.