The 30-98 Record Breakers
Number 3: A different kind of record - 1948 Watkins Glenn GP USA
OE305 was already 22 years old when entered into this race, possibly the oldest car to ever enter a GP? Qualifying in 4th place on the grid confirms that the car was still competitive in a field of mainly 1930s cars. It was sadly classified as DNF, but the reason is not recorded in the race report. The car survives in the Miles Collier Collection (Revs) in Florida USA. Does anyone know more? The owner and driver from '48-'49 was Colonel George Felton.
DK Jan '24
DK Jan '24
OE305 'Quicksilver'. Miles Collier Collection
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The grid: OE305 on the 4th row
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Apparently the engine was sent to UK for rebuild, we believe to Templeton Engineering, around 10 years ago.
Number 2: Tom Plowman - Luton UK 1953
Montlhéry 1953 - Motorsport July 1989
In 1935, Tom Plowman acquired a rather tired 30-98, OE18, from a London dealer. Following some extensive fettling, he enjoyed considerable competition successes in the late 1930s and 40s. By the early 1950s he was preparing for an undertaking he had had in mind for some years — to see whether he could officially exceed 100 miles in one hour with the old Vauxhall.
The run, at Montlhéry in 1953, was entirely successful. Certificate No 1511 of the Automobile Club de France shows that the 30-98 did 106.91 miles in the hour, with a best lap at 109 mph. As Plowman, who was 57 years of age at the time, remarked: “They go better when they get run in!”
Full story here.
In 1935, Tom Plowman acquired a rather tired 30-98, OE18, from a London dealer. Following some extensive fettling, he enjoyed considerable competition successes in the late 1930s and 40s. By the early 1950s he was preparing for an undertaking he had had in mind for some years — to see whether he could officially exceed 100 miles in one hour with the old Vauxhall.
The run, at Montlhéry in 1953, was entirely successful. Certificate No 1511 of the Automobile Club de France shows that the 30-98 did 106.91 miles in the hour, with a best lap at 109 mph. As Plowman, who was 57 years of age at the time, remarked: “They go better when they get run in!”
Full story here.
VSCC Luton Hoo March 1948
Tom Plowman. VSCC Luton Hoo March 1948
Tom Plowman. VSCC Luton Hoo March 1948
OE18/OE200. 30-98 Register meeting Luton Sept 1964
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Dave Kirke Feb '23
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Number 1: T B 'Paddy' Adair - Johannesburg SA 1922
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The exploits of the Australian long distance record breakers (Edkins, Burton & Bradley, Balmer & Kent etc) are relatively well known. Less so are those of T.B. 'Paddy' Adair in South Africa. Appointed as the official Vauxhall agent in Johannesburg sometime before 1912, Adair was committed to the 'Win on Sunday, sell on Monday' ethos.
He started his competition career with a 20hp Prince Henry. Sadly, in May 1913 while competing for the Transvaal Automobile cup, he left the road at speed resulting in the death of two of his passengers. Adair escaped serious injury, and was soon competing & selling again, this time with a 25hp Prince Henry. By 1921, Adair was campaigning an E type 30-98. Reporting on the successes achieved by British cars overseas, The Autocar recorded that first place was attained in the Pretoria Motor Club's speed trial in November 1921. Over the measured half mile, covered in both directions, the 30-98 achieved an average of 81.08mph, with 3 up! Long distance records were certain to generate significant publicity, and by 1922 Adair had replaced the factory Velox body with a rather crude, lightweight 2 seater affair. The otherwise standard 30-98 made the run from Durban to Johannesburg, a distance of 406 miles, in 10 hr. 53 min, and onwards to Pretoria - a further 44 miles in 61 minutes. On unmade dirt roads! D .Kirke. May '22 |
Adair's advert for Vauxhall Cars, October 1912
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E type 30-98: Lightweight 2 seater body, ready for intercity record breaking
E type 30-98 (Velox body reinstated). Transvaal Auto Club hillclimb FTD, Aug 1926. (photo: NWP collection)
