Vauxhall 30-98
| Vauxhall 30-98 E and OE |
|
|---|---|
30-98 OE Velox tourer 1924
|
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Vauxhall |
| Production | 1913–15: 13 cars 1919–22: 261 cars 1922–27: 313 cars E — : 274 cars OE—: 313 cars |
| Assembly | Luton |
| Designer | Laurence Pomeroy |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 4-seater Open tourer Closed coupé 2-seater Sports tourer chassis available for special bodies |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | I4 |
| Transmission | E — multi-disc clutch, Hardy disc joint between clutch and gearbox, 4-speeds and reverse right-hand change gearbox, open propellor shaft, final drive by straight-cut bevel OE — as E but final drive by spiral bevel |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | E — 114 in (2,896 mm) OE — 118 in (2,997 mm) Track 54 in (1,372 mm) |
| Kerb weight | Chassis only: 2,912 lb (1,321 kg) Velox tourer: 3,360 lb (1,520 kg) Weymann saloon: 3,472 lb (1,575 kg) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Vauxhall Prince Henry |
| Successor | none |
| E and OE engines | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Vauxhall Motors Limited |
| Production | as cars |
| Combustion chamber | |
| Configuration | Straight 4-cylinder |
| Displacement | E — 4,525 cc (276 cu in) OE—4,225 cc (258 cu in) |
| Cylinder bore | 98 mm (3.9 in) |
| Piston stroke | E — 150 mm (5.9 in) OE—140 mm (5.5 in) die-cast aluminium pistons; duralumin connecting rods |
| Cylinder block alloy | E — cast iron monobloc OE—cast iron, separate cast iron head |
| Cylinder head alloy | E — non-detachable L-head OE—detachable, cast iron, OHV (with manifolds in place and without disturbing valve gear) |
| Valvetrain | E — Side-valves operated by push rods from a camshaft low in the block OE—Overhead valves operated by duralumin push-rods and rockers; valves have double springs; timing by chain externally adjustable |
| Combustion | |
| Fuel system | single Zenith carburettor, petrol feed by air pressure, later by Autovac, ignition by magneto three-branch inlet manifold, four-branch exhaust manifold OE — two-branch inlet manifold with water-jacket in centre |
| Cooling system | Fan mounted behind the radiator with its spindle linked to a water impeller OE — 2-valve thermostatic control of circulation |
| Output | |
| Power output | E — 90 bhp (67 kW; 91 PS) @3,000 rpm OE—112 bhp (84 kW; 114 PS) @3,300 rpm later — 120 bhp (89 kW; 120 PS) Tax horsepower 23.82 Designers E — Laurence Pomeroy OE—Clarence Evelyn King |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Prince Henry |
| Successor | none |
The Vauxhall 30-98 is a car manufactured by Vauxhall at Luton, Bedfordshire from 1913 to 1927. In its day, its best-known configuration was the Vauxhall Velox (velox, veloc- being Latin for "swift"/"fleet" and the source of English velocity) standard 4-seater with open tourer body. Vauxhall's own description was the 30-98 hp Vauxhall-Velox sporting car. The 30-98 is also known to enthusiasts by Vauxhall's chassis code E.
In 1995 it was authoritatively described as one of Britain's best-known sports cars and in the mid-20th century reported by Automobile Quarterly to be affectionately known as the last of the Edwardians and decreed as the first and perhaps the best British sports car.
The first 30-98 was constructed at the behest of car dealer and motor sport competitor Joseph Higginson, inventor of the Autovac fuel lifter. He won the Shelsley Walsh hill-climb motoring competition on 7 June 1913 in his new Vauxhall, setting a hill record in the process, having in previous weeks made fastest time of the day at Waddington Pike and Aston Clinton.
However they were not racing machines but fast touring cars. The exhaust made a tranquillising rumble, there was no howl, no shriek, no wail. But there was the quiet satisfaction, if stripped for action, the car could lap Brooklands at 100 mph (160 km/h). The makers guaranteed that. Some owners had to watch their car being given the test to be reassured.
The 30-98s used the Prince Henry chassis, they were distinguished by having more-or-less flat rather than V-shaped radiators. Laurence Pomeroy took the Prince Henry L-head side-valve engine, bored it out 3 mm, then cold-stretched the crankshaft throws 5 mm using a steam power hammer to lengthen the stroke. The camshaft was given a new chain drive at the front of the engine, high lift cams and new tappet clearances. The Prince Henry chassis was slightly modified and the whole given a narrow alloy four-seater body, a pair of alloy wings (front mudguards) and no doors.
Before war intervened only 13 30-98s were made and they were for selected drivers, the last in 1915 for Percy Kidner a joint managing director (CEO) of Vauxhall. Actual production began in 1919.
...
Wikipedia