Above: Vauxhall D types on test near the Luton factory, with local Bedfordshire trade plates.
Edited September 2025
Vauxhall began 1925 with a chaotic product programme, an outdated production system, and in a weak financial position. Significant sums of money had been spent on the unsuccessful 1922 TT cars and a short-lived diversification into the motorcycle market.
The 23-60 and 30-98 models were essentially updated Edwardian designs, and although the side valve 14-40 was a solid performer (updated in 1925 with the LM model), it was falling behind the competition who were moving to overhead valve designs. A new model, the sleeve valve S type 25-70, was behind schedule and was aimed at a luxury market segment which was declining rapidly. This model was eventually launched in 1927 and was a commercial failure.
Regarding production, Leslie Walton, Company Chairman, stated that 'Vauxhall was not equipped, trained or had any desire to produce large quantities of mass produced cars and would continue the policy to produce a “reasonable” number of high class cars at a “moderate” price and this must always be our policy'.
In any event, it was now too late to make major changes; Vauxhall did not have the capital available at the time to make the huge investment that mass production would have involved. However, the Vauxhall brand image was still strong with a loyal customer base, and the 30-98 continued to be successful in competition. Importantly, there was an established distribution network covering most of the British Dominion territories. There was still much to like!
Meanwhile, General Motors in America was searching for a European production site, and the UK market looked particularly attractive as it offered access to the large British Empire market. A task force was sent by GM Overseas Operations (GMOO) to investigate the options and made a recommendation that GM should acquire the Austin Motor Company. The deal was close to finalisation until at the last minute it was rejected by the Austin board of directors. On the rebound, a deal was swiftly concluded with Vauxhall Motors on November 16th 1925, for the sum of $2.5m. The Vauxhall directors, and the company debtors, must have been quietly relieved……..
And now the usual plea: we now have pictures of almost all of the approximately 185 surviving cars worldwide. Further photographs to fill the gaps are of course welcome! We are especially keen to track ownership changes in order to keep the Register up to date. Please send us additional material: rally reports, articles, technical tips, photographs and period documents are all welcome.
Feedback about our website is always welcome: please drop a quick email to the address below and let us know what you would like to see more (or less!) of.
Dave Kirke (email:[email protected])
September 2025
Vauxhall began 1925 with a chaotic product programme, an outdated production system, and in a weak financial position. Significant sums of money had been spent on the unsuccessful 1922 TT cars and a short-lived diversification into the motorcycle market.
The 23-60 and 30-98 models were essentially updated Edwardian designs, and although the side valve 14-40 was a solid performer (updated in 1925 with the LM model), it was falling behind the competition who were moving to overhead valve designs. A new model, the sleeve valve S type 25-70, was behind schedule and was aimed at a luxury market segment which was declining rapidly. This model was eventually launched in 1927 and was a commercial failure.
Regarding production, Leslie Walton, Company Chairman, stated that 'Vauxhall was not equipped, trained or had any desire to produce large quantities of mass produced cars and would continue the policy to produce a “reasonable” number of high class cars at a “moderate” price and this must always be our policy'.
In any event, it was now too late to make major changes; Vauxhall did not have the capital available at the time to make the huge investment that mass production would have involved. However, the Vauxhall brand image was still strong with a loyal customer base, and the 30-98 continued to be successful in competition. Importantly, there was an established distribution network covering most of the British Dominion territories. There was still much to like!
Meanwhile, General Motors in America was searching for a European production site, and the UK market looked particularly attractive as it offered access to the large British Empire market. A task force was sent by GM Overseas Operations (GMOO) to investigate the options and made a recommendation that GM should acquire the Austin Motor Company. The deal was close to finalisation until at the last minute it was rejected by the Austin board of directors. On the rebound, a deal was swiftly concluded with Vauxhall Motors on November 16th 1925, for the sum of $2.5m. The Vauxhall directors, and the company debtors, must have been quietly relieved……..
And now the usual plea: we now have pictures of almost all of the approximately 185 surviving cars worldwide. Further photographs to fill the gaps are of course welcome! We are especially keen to track ownership changes in order to keep the Register up to date. Please send us additional material: rally reports, articles, technical tips, photographs and period documents are all welcome.
Feedback about our website is always welcome: please drop a quick email to the address below and let us know what you would like to see more (or less!) of.
Dave Kirke (email:[email protected])
September 2025
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2025 Register - new publication
The big news is the launch of a new printed version of the VVV Register. Full details of how to order and pay are here. |
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Nic Portway's books
Nic still has a few copies of his superb books available for sale, including the 2 volume Edwardian book, as well as the two 30-98 books. Order your copies while they are still available! Details here |
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The 30-98 Register Website
If you were looking for the 30-98 Register website, you can find it here. |
Prince Henry,
Pomeroy driving at speed.
From 'The Autocar'
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PREVIOUS UPDATES
Don't miss the updated articles in UK News, For Sale, and the excellent Newsletters from Dave Stuart in Australia. We have also started to collect historic Vauxhall Registers, which although incomplete, will assist owners in researching their cars' history. 100 years ago, major changes were going on at Luton after the Armistice as peace finally returned: more here.
Don't miss the updated articles in UK News, For Sale, and the excellent Newsletters from Dave Stuart in Australia. We have also started to collect historic Vauxhall Registers, which although incomplete, will assist owners in researching their cars' history. 100 years ago, major changes were going on at Luton after the Armistice as peace finally returned: more here.
See also our Flickr site for additional pictures: https://www.flickr.com
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