An example of the glorious Vauxhall 30-98 – the car usually credited with being the first proper sports car (see C&SC August) – is coming up for sale at Shannons on 21 July.
Carrying an estimate of $220-260,000, the 1920 example features a replica Velox polished aluminium body with contrasting blue wings.
The car was subject to a restoration that started in 1971 and finished 20 years later using components collected by two of its owners.
The Frawley family bought the Vauxhall in 1948, when it was known as ‘the honeymoon car’ thanks to its Australian-built two-seater body.
The E-type was allocated chassis number E319/318 on the basis of its back axle (E317) and the existence of engine E318.
The 30-98 was the first British car capable of 100mph and was so called thanks to its ability to produce 30hp at 1000rpm and 98hp at 3000rpm.
During a 14-year production period 584 examples were built, around a third are thought to exist today.