British Cars only please HA

There used to be a very nice SS Jaguar in Dallas that would work for me. It was for sale (not in my price range) a couple of years ago. I don't know where it went. Great car though.

Of course, I still like Bentleys... <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Vauxhall 30-98 is my own favorite,the sidevalve models were guaranteed by the factory to do 100 mph. In 1922 when overhead valves were added, along with a shorter stroke crank 125 was possible with the right crown and pinion set. Light, precise handling that gives confidence. They were famed for their acceleration,almost always winning hill climbs in standard trim. The 4 wheel brakes are rather poor though and the chassis is basically an edwardian design and thus somewhat flexible but alot quicker off the mark than a 3 liter Bentley which was the main competition.

Ettore Bugatti once said of W. O. Bentley "he builds the fastest trucks on earth".

It seems I lied the other day. We DO have a Vauxhall 30-98 in CCCA. It showed up at the CCCA Annual Meeting. It's a very awesome car. It certainly got lots of attention.

I'm a dummy, Chuck. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> I'd like to see a picture of a Vauxhall. Wayne

I'll try to find a picture of a Vauxhall and post it where you can see it.

Click on the above link.

sooo...how does the driver enter this vehicle? Only the british would build something like that, <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> HA!

Shawn

Ettore I wonder if when he said that about W.O.B. he might have been jealous of Bentley. If memory serves me right I think W.O. won LeMans four times with his cars and the Bentley boys back in the 20's. Something more than can be said about Vuxhall and Bugatti. Its seems that one of Bugatti's first luxuary cars he built was on a Packard chassis and running gear

Thanks Carleton! Look those low mounted lights. Ashamed to tell you why. Very nice looking car. Wayne

Shawn, he enters it from curbside of course! Same reason our older Classics don't have a keyhole in the driver's door.

Mike

Carleton: Can you tell me who was the coach builder of the body on the Vuxhull in your attachment?

I have no idea who the coachbuilder is chiefly because I'ts not my car being shown,just a pic I dragged off the net to show what a GOOD 30-98 looks like, very likely Vanden Plas body{silent "s" vern,}. Mine has a questionable repro skiff body and looks like hell,although running well and complete was restored 40 years ago and looks it, kinda like the Stellite I had. Most well restored 30-98's command in the area of 60,000 to 90,000 Pounds sterling, mine cost 30,000, go figure.

Mike,

Ok, I guess that makes sense, sort of, but how would you let the "ladies first" rule apply since you would either have to get in before her or climb over her after she gets in. Maybe she gets to ride in the back and this is meant to be a chaffeur driven car?

Shawn

Go to the CCCA home page, www.classiccarclub.org to see a picture of the Vauxhall that was at the Annual Meeting. I just posted it.

Quirky and British it certainly is, but it would look great in my garage!

Chuck, Very nice car. That red works real well with the blue body. Thanks. Wayne

my favourite is the low chassis S type invicta. i also like the chain driven frazer nash, riley mph and the Lagonda LG45 rapide.i also love my lagonda V12 rapide, but its too bulky for spirited driving,a wonderful high speed tourer though....

I'll agree with our friend from India and weigh in with the Lagonda, especially the V12 rapides, but also the 6 cylinder cars are very nice too, both with cabriolet, closed and sporting coachwork. I also agree that the Invicta seems to be superior to the average British sports car. Another car that looked very good, but I don't know much about is the big series mid 30s Triumph roadster owned by a member down in Dallas. I also must admit that although they aren't classics, I would really like to have a DB6 or DB7. I think that the Ian Callum designed DB7 is the best looking modern car on the road; it has lines that flow like the best classics.

Hi Folks,

I've got to say that the pre-World War II Rolls Royces still are among the most classic looking cars. Their coachbuilt bodies, often one of a kind, many of alumunium seem to have held up well too - no rust to deal with. And that classic "Greek Temple" radiator and Spirit of Ecstasy will always turn heads as you drive by. I'm, of course, biased as I drive a 1934. But I do have to admit many of the other pre-WWII British cars look great too. Classic or not, there were some pretty cars produced in the UK.

EdA

i think you mean the eight cylinder triumph dolomites of about 1937-38?, only a handful were made mainly because no one wanted to buy a triumph that cost almost as much as a bentley. these are extremely capable cars and i would rate them as a poor mans alfa 8C, the poor man in this case would have to be quite rich to own one....

I have to agree with Carleton with his two picks. I've always liked the looks of the 30-98 Vauxhall, haven't seen one yet. The photo I'm posting was on the cover of the 1949 issue of the SCCA news letter. The car was owned by George Felton, later it was sold to Ed Roy of Boston, wonder who has it now. I failed to win Power Ball last night and will not be bidding on the 1927 short wheelbase 3 liter Bentley this Saturday.Check out PreWarCar.com for the details.