Description

Chassis No. OE180
Engine No. OE180
Body No. OE180

Nearly 110 years ago, on 7 June 1913, a new competitor entered the fledgling sports car scene at the Shelsley Walsh hill climb in Worcestershire, England. Joseph Higginson, the defending champion, asked Lawrence Pomeroy, Works Manager of Vauxhall, to build him a British-built sports car that was capable of beating anything brought over from the continent. Thus the Vauxhall 30-98 was born. Not only did Pomeroy build a winning car, but incredibly, he built the world's first 100 mph sports car.

Sports car development ceased shortly after the launch of the 30-98 but quickly resumed once the hostilities of World War I concluded. The 30-98 was initially equipped with a 4,525 cc four-cylinder monobloc, fixed cylinder head, side-valve engine producing an impressive 90 hp. Starting in November of 1922, the engine was revised; now 4,224 cc, with a detachable cylinder head, and overhead valves, they produced 112 hp.

The undisputed fastest car in its era, this Vauxhall 30-98 completed production in Luton on 10 February 1925 before heading to its first owner, Amy Walker, in London. The car was ordered with a Velox body and the optional twin side-mounted spare wheels. The Velox body is a low-slung four-seater with a light and elegant appearance. Like many affluent British, Ms. Walker would embark on a tour of continental Europe, with her new Vauxhall being ideally suited for the task. Two photo albums were discovered by leading Vauxhall historian Nic Portway showing a 30-98 during a grand tour of Europe. One of the photos shows two women, and their chauffeur, plainly described as 'Lady Links' and 'Lady Rechts,' with one of them believed to be Ms. Walker. Both of these albums recount the fascinating early life of OE180, but it also gives a glimpse into the life of high society and European travel during the period.

It is unknown when Ms. Walker would sell her beloved 30-98, but the next owner on record is Mr. L. Titywater in 1945. The car traded hands several times during the 1950s and appeared in Motorsport Magazine's classified section. The car would appear at the Southern Counties Auctions (now British car Auctions) in 1962, where it would be purchased by Vauxhall Motors Ltd., outbidding an enthusiastic Douglas Sharp. The car was restored with an updated color scheme and smaller diameter wheels before it was sent to America in May 1963 as a gift for General Motors retiring engineering director and car collector Charles A. Chayne.

Mr. Chayne would keep the 30-98 until his death in 1977. Following this, the car would trade hands several times before residing in a small Ohio museum owned by Paul Bray. Mr. Bray would bring the car back to England in 2003 for Vauxhall's centenary celebrations. While in England, the engine would suffer main bearing failure and be sent back to America for repair.

During the celebrations, Mr. Bray would meet David Kirke. Mr. Kirke, a Vauxhall employee and historian, would relay the story of meeting the present owner of OE180 to his friend and underbidder for OE180 in 1962, Douglas Sharp. The two could connect, and Mr. Sharp was finally granted the opportunity to own OE180. Mr. Sharp longed to restore the car back to its original specification, but was advised against it being in his 80s. He did, however, fit the proper 21-inch wheels and re-registered the car with Ms. Walker's original London registration number, 'XX 7454'. Clearly delighted with his purchase, he then thoroughly enjoyed it, even attending the 2013 centenary celebration events for the Vauxhall 30-98.

Mr. Sharp would keep the car until he was 92, at which point the car was sold to its next caretaker. The car was then restored in approximately 2018 to its original specification with the chassis finished in black, a beautiful contrast to the blue body and nickel-plated brightwork. Once again back in the United States, this Vauxhall is a fantastic example of what was once the world's fastest car, and OE180 presents a unique opportunity to acquire a rare 30-98 with its original coachwork, per previous owner's research, and a thoroughly documented past, including the two early photograph albums, restoration photos, and numerous other documents pertaining to the car.