1924' Vauxhall 30-98

Burgundy with Dark Red leather, 1 of just 312 OE-Type examples produced, According to highly respected 30-98 historian Mr Nic Portway and surviving factory records, this matching numbers example chassis #OE178 left the Vauxhall Luton factory in December 1924 and was equipped with Factory four-seater 'Velox' Tourer coachwork, 4. 2 litre four-cylinder OHV engine #OE187, both of which it retains today along with all its other original components. It is also important to note that this post 1923 production example is factory fitted with the highly desirable cable operated front braking system and, interestingly, OE178 was the prototype production 30-98 for fitment of the much improved counterbalanced crankshaft. The car’s first UK owner was Mr Lex Buckle, who purchased the car from Vauxhall Motors, and it was believed that the car had competed at Brooklands. In the mid 1930’s Mr Buckle relocated to Australia taking the 30-98 with him, and in 1952, after 28 years of ownership, the 30-98 was sold to Vauxhall restorer Mr Barry Ford before passing into the hands of Mr Brian Marsland in 1955. By late 1955 the 30-98 was in the ownership of the Braid family of Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, the start of a very long association lasting over 56 years. OE178 was bodily and cosmetically restored between 2007 and 2009 by restorer Barry Ford on behalf of the Braid family, The car remained with the Braid family until 2011 when it was sold to undoubtedly one of the foremost UK specialist restorers of the 30-98 Vauxhall, Mr Julian Ghosh. Having been involved with the model for in excess of 50 years, he recognised a most correct example of the most sought after variant, importantly retaining its original engine and body. Mr Ghosh began a mechanical restoration of the vehicle to his own extremely high standards with the engine being rebuilt by highly respected 30-98 engine specialist Phil Hill of Vintage Motor Sport (New cylinder block, Head, Crankshaft, Con-rods, Valves and Re-white-metalled bearings), Gearbox rebuild (New bearings, New prop-shaft flange), Steering box rebuild (New gears, New drop arm), Front axle rebuild (New hubs, Bearings, Steering joints), Rear axle rebuild (New internals, Half-shafts, Hubs), Chassis frame (Re-aligned, New radiator cross member, New shackle pins, New bushes, Springs re-set), Shock absorbers rebuilt and New 820 x 120 Beaded edge wire wheels and tyres. OE178 is complete with a highly impressive provenance file including period correspondence from Vauxhall Motors and past custodians. To round off the restoration, Ghosh obtained a correct 1924 Luton registration number NM 6189. NM 6189 is recognized by many knowledgeable enthusiasts to be the most correct, original and one of the finest OE 30-98 examples in existence. An opportunity to purchase such a highly rare level of originality and correctness coupled with outstanding condition, such as this, seldom arises.