Report and photos to follow! OE 100 - a celebration of Vintage Vauxhalls. June 16-18th 2023
Update May 9th
Tickets available now, via this link, Payments by card please. A couple of things to note:-
Staying for the weekend and both evening events? Select the bundled ticket.
Ordering multiple items? Add each item to the cart, and then go back one screen to the overview page to select the next item before checking out.
An email receipt will be sent from contact@vauxhallregister.com. Please save or print the email for registration when you arrive at Stonehurst Farm (see map).
Don't forget to book your accommodation (see below).
More ideas and volunteers for organising activities would be appreciated. Final call for businesses to advertise in the roadbook.
N.B: This event is open to ALL vintage Vauxhalls, not just 30-98s!
Please act fast - we need to know numbers ASAP please. Questions? Please email contact@vauxhallregister.com
And finally, keep checking back here for updates nearer the event.
Dave & Saul
Tickets available now, via this link, Payments by card please. A couple of things to note:-
Staying for the weekend and both evening events? Select the bundled ticket.
Ordering multiple items? Add each item to the cart, and then go back one screen to the overview page to select the next item before checking out.
An email receipt will be sent from contact@vauxhallregister.com. Please save or print the email for registration when you arrive at Stonehurst Farm (see map).
Don't forget to book your accommodation (see below).
More ideas and volunteers for organising activities would be appreciated. Final call for businesses to advertise in the roadbook.
N.B: This event is open to ALL vintage Vauxhalls, not just 30-98s!
Please act fast - we need to know numbers ASAP please. Questions? Please email contact@vauxhallregister.com
And finally, keep checking back here for updates nearer the event.
Dave & Saul
Update May 5th
Tickets will be available shortly, via this link, as soon as we are able to connect a payment gateway.
Those who wish to join the event for the weekend will be able to select the discounted, bundled ticket. Otherwise à la carte options are available. .
Provisional Timetable:
Arrival from 2pm on Friday
General assembly in 'paddock': 0930-1030 and 1630 onwards on Saturday. Please have your cars on site at these times for photography, telling unlikely stories to fellow owners, etc.
Friday buffet: 1900 onwards
Saturday hog roast: 18.30 onwards. If you are joining for Saturday only, please try to stay for this (sunset is late: 21.30!)
Sunday departure at leisure
Lunch stop on Friday: For anyone coming via the A1 or across from Norfolk, Sussex, Essex etc on Friday 16th, Charles Atkinson has proposed a lunch stop. Full details to follow from Saul Stevens
Saturday pm: cricket match proposed. Details to follow from Saul S. & Jonathan L.
Roadbook: Two routes: Charnwood Forest 23 miles, High Leicestershire 74 miles. Explore one or both routes, on Friday pm, Saturday or Sunday am. The roadbook includes a commentary covering local history and sights of interest. The historic hillclimb venue, Beacon Hill, is nearby.
Accommodation: there are many options available locally, including:
Quorn Grange https://www.quorngrangehotel.co.uk
Rothley Manor https://www.greenekinginns.co.uk/hotels/rothley-court-hotel/
Two onsite cottages https://johnshouse.co.uk/cottages (email direct for availability)
Camping at Stonehurst Farm, details here
Frequently asked questions:
My Vintage Vauxhall is off the road (or I don't have one yet)? Stonehurst Farm is offering day entry tickets for vintage cars @ £15. Pay on arrival.
Can I arrive in a 'modern'? Yes, standard entry prices at Stonehurst Farm apply, with parking in the regular car park.
Is there something to keep the kids/grandkids amused? Plenty, see here.
Is trailer parking available? Yes, no pre-booking needed.
Is there secure overnight parking? Yes, available at Stonehust Farm for those who wish to use taxis after dinner in the evenings.
More questions? Email: contact@vauxhallregister.com.
It's looking like a SUPEREXCELLENT weekend! We look forward to seeing you.
Dave Kirke & Saul Stevens
Tickets will be available shortly, via this link, as soon as we are able to connect a payment gateway.
Those who wish to join the event for the weekend will be able to select the discounted, bundled ticket. Otherwise à la carte options are available. .
Provisional Timetable:
Arrival from 2pm on Friday
General assembly in 'paddock': 0930-1030 and 1630 onwards on Saturday. Please have your cars on site at these times for photography, telling unlikely stories to fellow owners, etc.
Friday buffet: 1900 onwards
Saturday hog roast: 18.30 onwards. If you are joining for Saturday only, please try to stay for this (sunset is late: 21.30!)
Sunday departure at leisure
Lunch stop on Friday: For anyone coming via the A1 or across from Norfolk, Sussex, Essex etc on Friday 16th, Charles Atkinson has proposed a lunch stop. Full details to follow from Saul Stevens
Saturday pm: cricket match proposed. Details to follow from Saul S. & Jonathan L.
Roadbook: Two routes: Charnwood Forest 23 miles, High Leicestershire 74 miles. Explore one or both routes, on Friday pm, Saturday or Sunday am. The roadbook includes a commentary covering local history and sights of interest. The historic hillclimb venue, Beacon Hill, is nearby.
Accommodation: there are many options available locally, including:
Quorn Grange https://www.quorngrangehotel.co.uk
Rothley Manor https://www.greenekinginns.co.uk/hotels/rothley-court-hotel/
Two onsite cottages https://johnshouse.co.uk/cottages (email direct for availability)
Camping at Stonehurst Farm, details here
Frequently asked questions:
My Vintage Vauxhall is off the road (or I don't have one yet)? Stonehurst Farm is offering day entry tickets for vintage cars @ £15. Pay on arrival.
Can I arrive in a 'modern'? Yes, standard entry prices at Stonehurst Farm apply, with parking in the regular car park.
Is there something to keep the kids/grandkids amused? Plenty, see here.
Is trailer parking available? Yes, no pre-booking needed.
Is there secure overnight parking? Yes, available at Stonehust Farm for those who wish to use taxis after dinner in the evenings.
More questions? Email: contact@vauxhallregister.com.
It's looking like a SUPEREXCELLENT weekend! We look forward to seeing you.
Dave Kirke & Saul Stevens
Update April 24th
Arrangements for the ‘OE100’ event are progressing with speed. We have done a recce to Stonehurst Farm, and discussed food, logistics & activities with Tom Duffin. The road book is almost finished and advertising sponsors have been identified to help offset some of the costs. If there are any more potential sponsors out there......be quick as the road book is going to print shortly. Please note the event will be an informal tour and not a rally! Tickets for the weekend should be on sale by the end of this month, and participation will be strictly by prepaid tickets only. For anyone coming via the A1 or across from Norfolk, Sussex, Essex etc on Friday 16th, a lunch stop near Peterborough is planned: more details to follow. Quite a number of participants intend to move on to VSCC Caldwell Park on Sunday morning. Accommodation options to follow shortly.
What if your Edwardian/Vintage Vauxhall is currently off the road, or you simply don't yet have one? Stonehurst Farm will be offering day entry tickets for vintage cars, for those who wish to view the Vauxhalls, visit the Stonehurst museum, and see all the other facilities at the farm.
It's going to be a SUPEREXCELLENT event!
Dave Kirke & Saul Stevens
Arrangements for the ‘OE100’ event are progressing with speed. We have done a recce to Stonehurst Farm, and discussed food, logistics & activities with Tom Duffin. The road book is almost finished and advertising sponsors have been identified to help offset some of the costs. If there are any more potential sponsors out there......be quick as the road book is going to print shortly. Please note the event will be an informal tour and not a rally! Tickets for the weekend should be on sale by the end of this month, and participation will be strictly by prepaid tickets only. For anyone coming via the A1 or across from Norfolk, Sussex, Essex etc on Friday 16th, a lunch stop near Peterborough is planned: more details to follow. Quite a number of participants intend to move on to VSCC Caldwell Park on Sunday morning. Accommodation options to follow shortly.
What if your Edwardian/Vintage Vauxhall is currently off the road, or you simply don't yet have one? Stonehurst Farm will be offering day entry tickets for vintage cars, for those who wish to view the Vauxhalls, visit the Stonehurst museum, and see all the other facilities at the farm.
It's going to be a SUPEREXCELLENT event!
Dave Kirke & Saul Stevens
Update April 9th
There has been fantastic response to this event, scheduled to take place over the weekend 16-18th June. Over 50 Edwardian and Vintage Vauxhall have expressed interest, together with 110 pilots. navigators, junior navigators and marshalls. The event will be based at Stonehurst Farm Park, Mountsorrel in Leicestershire. (see map). Provisional entry details below:
There has been fantastic response to this event, scheduled to take place over the weekend 16-18th June. Over 50 Edwardian and Vintage Vauxhall have expressed interest, together with 110 pilots. navigators, junior navigators and marshalls. The event will be based at Stonehurst Farm Park, Mountsorrel in Leicestershire. (see map). Provisional entry details below:
Edwardians |
30-98 E type |
30-98 OE type |
14-40 |
D/OD (23-60) |
20-60 |
2 |
9 |
25 |
5 |
9 |
3 (inc. 2 Hurlingham) |
We are planning an informal buffet on Friday evening, and a hog roast on Saturday. Two driving routes are in preparation, Charnwood Forest and High Leicestershire. There are many historical sites in the area, which will be described in a commentary included in the route book. Several period hill climb venues are close by, including Beacon Hill, where Higginson competed in 1913. Camping will be available, and there is plenty of accommodation close by - details to follow. Sponsorship is being sought, & tickets will be available by the end of this month. Quite a few participants intend to move on to VSCC Caldwell park on Sunday morning.
If you've not expressed interest so far, please take a minute to do so here, so we have a good idea of numbers.
Dave Kirke & Saul Stevens
If you've not expressed interest so far, please take a minute to do so here, so we have a good idea of numbers.
Dave Kirke & Saul Stevens
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Event Summary
One hundred years ago in 1923, the Vauxhall 30-98 'OE' model was launched. This was also the first full year of production of the 23-60 and the 14-40 models, and the year in which Vauxhall Motors Ltd made a modest profit after 2 years of losses.......
2023 is also 120 years since the first Vauxhall car, a 5hp single cylinder 'light car', was produced at the Vauxhall Ironworks in London. But who needs an excuse? If you own an Edwardian or Vintage Vauxhall, you would be welcome to join this proposed event. An informal, à la carte style event on June 17th 2023 - or stay the weekend if you wish. |
Higginson on Beacon Hill near Mountsorrel. July 1913
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The organisation will be 'light touch', come and go as you please, individually or in groups. The proposed event will be based at Stonehurst Farm Park, Mountsorrel in Leicestershire. (see map). If you're interested to join in, just click and complete this form (NOW!).
UPDATE! Concours of Elegance 1-3 September 2023
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OE295 - Impressed!
By Diarmaid Boland
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I bought my 30-98 from the Polson Motor Company in late 2021. I had been looking for a 30-98 for a few years after my brother bought his 30-98. Having driven his car, I was very impressed by it’s performance and I felt it an ideal sized car in that it wasn’t too big and wasn’t too small, ideal for touring and taking part in events in Ireland. I know John & Ian Polson having dealt with them previously, and I was happy to take their recommendation that OE295 was a good and original car. I was keen to get a car with its original body, and being a late production car it also had hydraulic brakes.
Having driven the car over the last 12 months, I have to say I’m delighted with it and I couldn’t recommend the 30-98 highly enough. The performance and handling are exceptional, especially as by the time my car was built I’m sure they were considered old fashioned. I’m no expert but I would find it hard to believe that there is a better vintage car. I am having my car retrimmed over the winter, so hopefully I will have it back by the spring as I have it entered for the 2023 Gordon Bennett Rally. There should be a large turnout of 30-98’s as there are quite a few in Ireland now! (at least 10 according to the Register! -Ed) Diarmaid Boland |
Motor Sport Sept 1951. The car passed from
Thompson to Noble Jones in 1952.
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30-98 Picnic - September 2022
In early September a group of enthusiastic 30-98ers ventured to Worcestershire for the annual picnic, moved this year from the usual early August date. The weather threatened to dampen the proceedings, but in the event most of us managed to stay dry. The destination was Russell Cook's amazing collection of steam, combustion and fairground vehicles and memorabilia.
Words cannot do justice to this collection, it is simply astounding. Showman's steam engines, living vans, Scammell tractors, fairground rides & organs, Foden steam wagons, an American La France, supercharged Studebaker Avanti, plus a several barns full of veteran, vintage & classic cars and trucks.
And yes of course a Vauxhall 23-60 and a 30-98. Let the pictures below do the talking. With grateful thanks to Russell, his family, and his enthusiastic team of helpers for a memorable day.
Oct '22
Words cannot do justice to this collection, it is simply astounding. Showman's steam engines, living vans, Scammell tractors, fairground rides & organs, Foden steam wagons, an American La France, supercharged Studebaker Avanti, plus a several barns full of veteran, vintage & classic cars and trucks.
And yes of course a Vauxhall 23-60 and a 30-98. Let the pictures below do the talking. With grateful thanks to Russell, his family, and his enthusiastic team of helpers for a memorable day.
Oct '22
2022 Sydney Harbour Concours D’Elegance: Prix d’Honneur winner - Vauxhall 30-98 OE1078
From Just Cars Magazine July 2022: https://www.justcars.com.au/news-and-reviews/report-2022-sydney-harbour-concours-d-elegance/938003
OE1078 (Photo: Just Cars July 22)
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A Vauxhall 30-98 has won a major Concours event in Australia. The Boyd Edkins 'Presentation Car' won best in show at the 2022 Sydney Harbour event. Many congratulations to John Kent and the team at Crankstart Engineering in Melbourne who restored this important 30-98 a few years back.
OE1078. 1925
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An opportunity like no other
By Daniel Zampatti (reproduced with kind permission of VSCC Victoria, from their newsletter)
'Some of you may have heard that one of the VSCC Australia's historically significant cars, OE227 of Peter Holbeach, has had a change of ownership. Great things happen in our club like this is a story which ought to be told and as its beneficiary I offer the following. On the Vauxhall Rally this year whilst putting luggage into the back of the Ryan-Feehan Family Vauxhall, OE22, Peter approached me with the beaming grin which only Peter can manage, “Daniel, I want to talk to you about 227; I want you to take it on!” This set my mind racing wondering what exactly he meant: take it on for tomorrow's run, for future events ….... or long term? Given the current market and circumstances the latter seemed all but impossible for someone just approaching his thirtieth birthday.
A short dialogue then ensued between us................
“But Peter, there is no way I could afford it.”
“No, I want you to take it on at a figure you can afford.”
We continued to talk and finally agreed that we needed to have dinner to discuss this matter further. Dinner of pasta in Glenferrie Road was arranged and finally we were sitting at the restaurant table waiting for Edwina Holbeach, Peter’s daughter, to arrive when there passed between us three life-changing sentences:
“Now, what are we going to do about 227?”
“Well, I can do this and that.”
Peter's hand shot out, “We do this!” And then, I was speechless. Peter has been incredibly selfless.
Edwina arrived, pleasantries were exchanged as we introduced each other. Peter looked at his daughter and announced that I am taking over the Vauxhall. Her reaction on was one of immediate and great joy. Edwina then told me that when her father returned from the Vauxhall rally his mind was obviously content and he had made a significant decision so he felt that he is free to concentrate his energy on other projects.
From my point of view, an opportunity to have a privilege like this is beyond measure and the mortgage can wait. I feel that nowadays we are the custodians of these century old cars and they come with a sense of obliga-on which cannot be meas-ured in monetary terms: we ought to campaign them. They have nearly a hundred years of history and we should add to that and write their next chapter ….. and the next ….... and the next. Peter has been a great campaigner of his Vauxhall and a stalwart of the VSCC. He has worked with so many hats and still he keeps the club's wheels turning and that makes our club great. Leaving the restaurant, Peter asked when I would like to collect the car. With Winton but a week away I asked whether it would be too soon to collect it before the meeting. His response was pure Holbeach, “Drop the rear tyre pressure by 5 psi and slide it around!”
I thank Peter for trusting me and for facilitating so generously the privilege of my taking this incredible vehicle to its next phase of campaigning and vintage motor sport, as he has done for the past couple of decades. OE227 and I have already started with 5 psi less in the rear tyres and sliding it around.........'
June '22
A short dialogue then ensued between us................
“But Peter, there is no way I could afford it.”
“No, I want you to take it on at a figure you can afford.”
We continued to talk and finally agreed that we needed to have dinner to discuss this matter further. Dinner of pasta in Glenferrie Road was arranged and finally we were sitting at the restaurant table waiting for Edwina Holbeach, Peter’s daughter, to arrive when there passed between us three life-changing sentences:
“Now, what are we going to do about 227?”
“Well, I can do this and that.”
Peter's hand shot out, “We do this!” And then, I was speechless. Peter has been incredibly selfless.
Edwina arrived, pleasantries were exchanged as we introduced each other. Peter looked at his daughter and announced that I am taking over the Vauxhall. Her reaction on was one of immediate and great joy. Edwina then told me that when her father returned from the Vauxhall rally his mind was obviously content and he had made a significant decision so he felt that he is free to concentrate his energy on other projects.
From my point of view, an opportunity to have a privilege like this is beyond measure and the mortgage can wait. I feel that nowadays we are the custodians of these century old cars and they come with a sense of obliga-on which cannot be meas-ured in monetary terms: we ought to campaign them. They have nearly a hundred years of history and we should add to that and write their next chapter ….. and the next ….... and the next. Peter has been a great campaigner of his Vauxhall and a stalwart of the VSCC. He has worked with so many hats and still he keeps the club's wheels turning and that makes our club great. Leaving the restaurant, Peter asked when I would like to collect the car. With Winton but a week away I asked whether it would be too soon to collect it before the meeting. His response was pure Holbeach, “Drop the rear tyre pressure by 5 psi and slide it around!”
I thank Peter for trusting me and for facilitating so generously the privilege of my taking this incredible vehicle to its next phase of campaigning and vintage motor sport, as he has done for the past couple of decades. OE227 and I have already started with 5 psi less in the rear tyres and sliding it around.........'
June '22
Historic Winton 2022
Longstone 'Long Car' Race
VSCC Donington June 5th 2022
It was very, very wet, cold and slippery, but brilliant to see 5 30-98s, a 23-60 and a D type out on the track. Saul Stevens (OE239) commented 'The
upside of the conditions was that we didn't need any brakes, so perfect for a Thirsty. There was also a demonstration of Vauxhall drivers determination to compete with a full clutch removal, fix and refit in under 2 hours on OE19. True heroes'.
Congratulations to Andy Newbound (OE199), the first 30-98 across the line in 5th place, and to all the Vauxhall drivers for gallantly taking part!
Any more photos out there?
DK June '22
upside of the conditions was that we didn't need any brakes, so perfect for a Thirsty. There was also a demonstration of Vauxhall drivers determination to compete with a full clutch removal, fix and refit in under 2 hours on OE19. True heroes'.
Congratulations to Andy Newbound (OE199), the first 30-98 across the line in 5th place, and to all the Vauxhall drivers for gallantly taking part!
Any more photos out there?
DK June '22
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Calling OE180.......
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OE180 on the Brooklands test hill during the 2013 Centenary event, owned and driven by the late Douglas Sharp. After (another) restoration in UK, this car is now in California, but the Register has no details of the current owner......perhaps someone reading this knows?
email: contact@vauxhallregister.com UPDATE: NEW OWNER LOCATED: DETAILS IN THE NEXT REGISTER!
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OE180. July 2013 Brooklands test hill
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2022 Veteran and Vintage Vauxhall Rally - Oz
This event runs from May 1st-6th 2022, centred on Beechworth, Victoria. There are over 40 Vauxhalls entered. Check back here for photos as the Rally has now started! With many thanks to Steve B, Phil V, Glyn F and Richard W for the photos.
Turn up your speakers!
Dave K May '22
Turn up your speakers!
Dave K May '22
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Vauxhalls at Mansfield
showground May '22
OE53 at Lake Hume
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OE100
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Day 5: Bandiana Military Museum - Wodonga
Day 4: Mansfield Showground lunch stop
Day 3: Gold Dredger
Day 2: Bright and Bethanga pub
Day 1: Shepparton MOVE museum
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E467
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Amelia Island 2022
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Chip Wright lives in Florida, USA, which is an ideal location from which to enter the annual Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance event. This is one of the calendar’s biggest and most prestigious events of its kind in USA, featuring an RM Sotheby’s auction, a road tour, a Porsche driving experience and much more, including car-themed entertainment for the kids, as well as the world-class concours itself.
Chip entered OE153, possibly the first 30-98 ever to appear at this event? Chip reports that great fun was had by all the family! |
Competition in India
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Around 1926, Faly Petit brought back a Vauxhall 30-98 from a UK trip, and campaigned it enthusiastically in and around Bombay. This car remains unidentified, and likely has not survived.
Images courtesy of https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/vintage-cars-classics-india/ |
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JRD Tata with his Bugatti at the Malabar Hill residence, 30-98 in background
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The Car's the Star
I was recently reminded that 30-98s have been featured in several period drama productions in recent years. A selection is shown below.
There are no doubt others.........let us know please: contact@vauxhallregister.co.uk.
DK Dec 2021
There are no doubt others.........let us know please: contact@vauxhallregister.co.uk.
DK Dec 2021
OE282 (The Great Gatsby 2012)
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In 2012, OE282 was featured in the film 'The Great Gatsby'. The owner recalls:
'Our two days of filming for the Gatsby movie took place in November 2011. I remember we had to be at Manly (a beach side suburb on the northside of Sydney about two hours away) by 1.00pm to start filming at 4.00pm. I naively asked when we signed in if we'd be finished by midnight as we had to find sleeping accommodation. No, they said, we'll be working till daybreak! I also remember the week before, when I was fitted for my driver's uniform, I had to have a period haircut and was requested to take more care when shaving as my sideburns weren't the same length; I'd never noticed. My very small role in the movie was to drive two boxers and their manager to Gatsby's house party. There are three extremely brief scenes where you can just see three glimpses of the Vauxhall (rear-right, front-on & front-right) driving around Gatsby's swimming pool about 23 minutes into the movie. All this took 30 hours to film but if you blink you'll miss it. Because we have a centre brake-light tucked away in the gap between the body and fuel tank a scene had to be re-filmed on the off chance this light might be seen in the finished film (I removed the fuse for that circuit). I asked about the Vauxhall being right hand drive and wearing New York number plates, they said Gatsby had wealthy friends who could afford to import expensive overseas RH drive vehicles. One of the shots (right) shows the artificial moon-light hanging from a crane plus the temporary swimming pool and fake ivy on the walls. Under the driveway's white pebbles were sheets of plastic on top of the original red gravel. After the final night's filming we drove home during a fairly busy stop-go morning peak-hour through the Sydney Harbour tunnel. I don't think I'd attempt that journey today in busy traffic if there was an alternative. OE282's involvement in The Great Gatsby film was extremely small even though there was about a week's worth of work involved.'. |
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OE64. Brideshead Revisited 2008
Brideshead Revisited, the 2008 film directed by Julian Jarrold. The car featured is the Wensum bodied OE64, left and below.
Images: Miramax Films
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OE77 (The Avengers)
John Steed's car......
OE77, pictured left, appeared in two episodes of The Avengers: The Gravediggers & The Thirteenth Hole
You should really consider a 30-98 instead of a Bentley.....
OE153 (USA)
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OE153 recently found a new home in the warmer climes of Florida, with a very capable and enthusiastic new custodian, Chip Wright.
Chip is very well known in the vintage world in the USA, and he has written up the story of his 30-98 for prewarcar.com. You can read it here: Dave Kirke October '21 |
Vauxhall D-E Instruction Book (reproduction)
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The Register has arranged a reprint of the original factory issue Instruction Book covering D type and E type models (cover picture left).
A faithful reproduction with 22 pages, it includes tappet setting instructions. The price is £25 inc p&p, and orders can be placed here. Dave Kirke Mar '21 |
The Weldon Special (VV8)
Don Robinson 1948
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Around 8 years ago, I contacted David Birchall in Vancouver, Canada, in search of a 'Wensum' bodied 23-60, OD1207, which he had owned some years previously. That car eventually turned up in California, but in the course of our correspondence, David told me about the 'Weldon Special', which he had owned in the 1980s.
This story emerged again when compiling the 2021 Register, as David has acquired VV11, which was built in Australia and was more recently in California. David tells the Weldon story below. DK. February '21 |
"About November 1983 I was contacted by a friend about a Vauxhall racing car in Northern British Columbia that was advertised for sale in the Vancouver Sun newspaper. My friend had intended buying it and had even put a deposit on it but backed out when he realised how much work the car needed - I was not so wise.......
The car was in Prince George, about 500 miles north of Vancouver and I drove up there in December 1983 with a visiting New Zealand friend who is now married to Bruce McLaren's sister - so there is a racing connection here.
I had an old Volvo station wagon and after looking at photos of the Vauxhall I decided that he best method was to "flat tow" the Vauxhall with a tow bar attached to the front. We drove up there with reasonable weather and met the owner of the car Mr. Don Robinson.
Don Robinson had bought the car from Percy Weldon in the forties, Weldon had bought the car as a burned out wreck sometime around 1928/1930 was my understanding. The body was destroyed and he shortened the chassis and fitted a racing body that was readily available at the time for fitting to Model T and Model A Fords etc for flat track racing.
I never met Percy Weldon but a friend who is still alive did and confirmed that Weldon raced the car extensively in the Winnipeg area of Manitoba-a long way from Prince George where he moved in the forties I understand. He then moved to just east of Vancouver and died in the seventies apparently. I met people who new him at the local car museum.
When I arrived at Don Robinson's place he reluctantly accepted $700 for the car instead of the $2000 he had been asking. He let me put air in the fifty year old tires and attach the tow bar and we set off for Vancouver - just as a blizzard set in.
The Vauxhall vibrated terribly for the first few miles and then there was a terrific "Bang" and I looked in the mirror to see the remains of the driveshaft arcing through the air before burying itself in a snow drift. We backed up and dug out the driveshaft which was still too hot to touch! The Vauxhall towed much more smoothly after that! We made it back to Vancouver, taking one hour shifts at the wheel in the heavy snow conditions and receiving a heavy fine at one point for not having insurance on the Vauxhall.
The Vauxhall was in rough condition. Robinson had acquired the car about 1948 (see photo above). In about 1950 he rebuilt the engine using cast iron Model T pistons. There was a problem, and the car never ran again and was left sitting outside until I bought it. It still had it's racing body although this being steel and cheaply made it had collapsed. The dashboard still had the CAV switch panel with ammeter and the speedo read to either 100 or 120 mph so it was a 30-98 unit. The chassis had been brutally shortened -see photo - and the whole project was very daunting.
I kept the car until about 1992 and agonised over what to do with it. I wanted to preserve it's racing history and declined the suggestion by Julian Ghosh that I replace the chassis with a 30-98 item that he could supply. During this time Arthur Archer supplied me with an endless amount of advice and parts - he really was a guardian angel!
Finally I realised that I wanted a running vintage Vauxhall right now, and learned of a Wensum bodied 23-60 for sale in Ontario (OD1207). I bought that car, modified the engine to 30-98 specs and used it for almost ten years before selling it to a Californian (ex Brit) named Button who still owns it and has driven it to the tip of South America at least twice! With the funds from the sale of OD1207 I bought an Aston DB2 which is on the cover of the next March issue of "Classic and Sportscar" - the sale of that allowed the purchase of my next Vauxhall!
I sold the Weldon Special shortly after acquiring OD1207, to Julian Ghosh. I was sad that I was not able to do her justice but I realised that rebuilding the car was going to be a huge project.
I have tried to follow the car's progress over the years, and saw that a 30-98 chassis was substituted years ago. I am delighted to see that she now has a fitting body and is used properly.
I recently bought VV11 from Fantasy Junction in California after becoming aware of the car about three years ago and falling in love with her. This car is everything I wanted the Weldon Special to be! She is built to a very high standard - far higher than I would have attained had I persevered with the Weldon Special I think......". DAVID BIRCHALL
The car was in Prince George, about 500 miles north of Vancouver and I drove up there in December 1983 with a visiting New Zealand friend who is now married to Bruce McLaren's sister - so there is a racing connection here.
I had an old Volvo station wagon and after looking at photos of the Vauxhall I decided that he best method was to "flat tow" the Vauxhall with a tow bar attached to the front. We drove up there with reasonable weather and met the owner of the car Mr. Don Robinson.
Don Robinson had bought the car from Percy Weldon in the forties, Weldon had bought the car as a burned out wreck sometime around 1928/1930 was my understanding. The body was destroyed and he shortened the chassis and fitted a racing body that was readily available at the time for fitting to Model T and Model A Fords etc for flat track racing.
I never met Percy Weldon but a friend who is still alive did and confirmed that Weldon raced the car extensively in the Winnipeg area of Manitoba-a long way from Prince George where he moved in the forties I understand. He then moved to just east of Vancouver and died in the seventies apparently. I met people who new him at the local car museum.
When I arrived at Don Robinson's place he reluctantly accepted $700 for the car instead of the $2000 he had been asking. He let me put air in the fifty year old tires and attach the tow bar and we set off for Vancouver - just as a blizzard set in.
The Vauxhall vibrated terribly for the first few miles and then there was a terrific "Bang" and I looked in the mirror to see the remains of the driveshaft arcing through the air before burying itself in a snow drift. We backed up and dug out the driveshaft which was still too hot to touch! The Vauxhall towed much more smoothly after that! We made it back to Vancouver, taking one hour shifts at the wheel in the heavy snow conditions and receiving a heavy fine at one point for not having insurance on the Vauxhall.
The Vauxhall was in rough condition. Robinson had acquired the car about 1948 (see photo above). In about 1950 he rebuilt the engine using cast iron Model T pistons. There was a problem, and the car never ran again and was left sitting outside until I bought it. It still had it's racing body although this being steel and cheaply made it had collapsed. The dashboard still had the CAV switch panel with ammeter and the speedo read to either 100 or 120 mph so it was a 30-98 unit. The chassis had been brutally shortened -see photo - and the whole project was very daunting.
I kept the car until about 1992 and agonised over what to do with it. I wanted to preserve it's racing history and declined the suggestion by Julian Ghosh that I replace the chassis with a 30-98 item that he could supply. During this time Arthur Archer supplied me with an endless amount of advice and parts - he really was a guardian angel!
Finally I realised that I wanted a running vintage Vauxhall right now, and learned of a Wensum bodied 23-60 for sale in Ontario (OD1207). I bought that car, modified the engine to 30-98 specs and used it for almost ten years before selling it to a Californian (ex Brit) named Button who still owns it and has driven it to the tip of South America at least twice! With the funds from the sale of OD1207 I bought an Aston DB2 which is on the cover of the next March issue of "Classic and Sportscar" - the sale of that allowed the purchase of my next Vauxhall!
I sold the Weldon Special shortly after acquiring OD1207, to Julian Ghosh. I was sad that I was not able to do her justice but I realised that rebuilding the car was going to be a huge project.
I have tried to follow the car's progress over the years, and saw that a 30-98 chassis was substituted years ago. I am delighted to see that she now has a fitting body and is used properly.
I recently bought VV11 from Fantasy Junction in California after becoming aware of the car about three years ago and falling in love with her. This car is everything I wanted the Weldon Special to be! She is built to a very high standard - far higher than I would have attained had I persevered with the Weldon Special I think......". DAVID BIRCHALL
'Round the Houses' race, Bray, Co. Wicklow. May 1934
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An eagle eyed owner spotted a 30-98 competing in Ireland in this YouTube clip. It clearly shows a 30-98 right at the start, car number 3, possibly fitted with large, late model front wheel brakes?
The programme (right) is online, but only the cover. Can someone identify the car? |
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Piers Trevelyan wins Restoration of the Year: Vauxhall 30-98
Brilliant workmanship by Piers, well done!
October 2020 |
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RAC Club London - Rotunda Car - Vauxhall 30-98 E251 (1920)
October 2019
RAC Club London - Rotunda Car - Vauxhall 30-98 OE193 (1925)
March 2018
