Lot Ended
Description
1923 Vauxhall OD 23-60 Kington Tourer
Probably
the best available; ground-up restoration of a well-known and highly original
example; powerful 4-litre touring car; most impressive!
At the turn
of the last century, Vauxhall’s reputation as a builder of cars for the top
echelons of society was well understood, the Vauxhall being considered somewhat
more sporting in nature than its competitors. Indeed, Vauxhall are often
credited with producing Britain’s first sportscar – the Prince Henry, or C-type
model.
The Prince Henry’s spiritual successor, the 30-98 made its debut
as early as 1913, although very few left the factory before war broke out.
Vauxhall’s popular 25hp model became the transport of choice for staff officers
during the War and when hostilities ceased, Vauxhall soon introduced their new
models, the D-type 23-60 which was an updated 25hp and the E-type which was a
mildly revamped pre-war 30-98 model.
Both shared many features, the
D-type having a longer and heavier chassis than the overtly sporting E-type, the
former proving particularly popular with outside coachbuilders who often fitted
formal closed coachwork rather than the elegant open offerings from the
factory.
The D-type 23-60 used a four-cylinder monobloc 3,969cc fixed
head engine, producing about 60bhp at 2,000rpm, driving through a four-speed
gearbox. It was good for over 60mph with factory open coachwork. Front brakes
were initially considered sissy and retardation on the 23-60 was supplied by the
two rear brakes and a transmission brake. However front-wheel brakes were
offered as an option and from 1924 onwards they became standard which no doubt
saved a few cars from ending their days in a ditch.
As early as 1922, the
D-type 23-60 had been given overhead valves, the 30-98 having to wait
until early 1923 to be similarly upgraded. They were known from then on as the
OD and OE respectively. More bhp was on offer but it came at the expense of some
of the extraordinary flexibility of the earlier cars due to a shorter stroke,
although they were still strong performers by any measure.
Prices were
generally slightly below those of the comparable Rolls Royce, although Vauxhall
began to drop their prices in response to the recession of the early 1920s. The
23-60 was in production from 1922 and was eventually dropped by General Motors
shortly after their takeover of Vauxhall in 1925. Around 1,300 examples were
produced with fewer than 10% thought to survive today.
Nothing is known
of the very early history of this car, the buff logbook that accompanies it
showing its owners from the early 1950s onwards. Anthony Broome bought the car
in 1955, for £112, through an advert
in Motorsport and took it back to
Nottingham where it was used as his everyday transport.
A letter from Mr
Broome refers to "many happy hours and some heart-stopping moments" – the
Vauxhall not having four-wheel brakes at that time. Mr Broome also mentions "a
lot of complaints that the passage of the car reduced TV pictures to a snow
storm", which, these days, can only be seen as improving the viewing
experience.
Sold on to D Smeeton, also in Nottingham, in 1957, the car
was then laid up 1960 and remained unused for the next 27 years. It was
purchased in highly original condition in 1987 by well-known VSCC member John
Brydon, who got the car back on the road loaning it on occasion to fellow VSCC
member, Ron Birkett.
It was then sold to a local gentleman in
2011 and was by then, decidedly tired. He decided to strip the car to its
bare chassis and embark on a thorough restoration. There are bills and
correspondence to show the extent and the expense of the work.
The car
was gone through mechanically and any faults rectified. This included the
fitting of an NOS cylinder head – where did he find that? The engine breathes
through a bronze Zenith carburettor and a coil conversion has been fitted to
improve engine performance and tractability.
At some time it had been
fitted with a Delage front axle with man-sized brake drums and all components of
the axle and steering were repaired or replaced as required. Soft brake linings
were fitted which work well and do away with those 'heart-stopping moments'. The
wheels were rebuilt by Richards Brothers of Cardiff and fitted with new 5.25x600
Blockley tyres.
The radiator was rebuilt at a cost of £3,500 and the CAV
headlamps restored by Genius of The Lamp, the quality of whose work is
legendary. The car also has complementary CAV side-lamps and the ‘front of
house’ is finished off with a period-correct and very splendid Griffin
mascot.
Brightwells sold it for him five years ago into a
well-known Vintage motoring family, but now the kids have grown up it isn't
getting the use it was, hence its inclusion in our British Icons
sale.
Little work was needed to keep it ship-shape and Bristol fashion,
although the front and rear sidelight wiring has been embellished with a
flashing indicator circuit.
The Vauxhall comes with 10 old MOTs and some
tax discs dating back to 1959, bills, correspondence and notes from Vauxhall
specialist Arthur Archer. There are also photographs and letters from 1955, a
copy of the original instruction book, an old buff logbook, and a
(non-transferable) VSCC buff form.
Much care and attention was taken with
the restoration of the body, the original metalwork being carefully preserved
while a new wooden frame was constructed to the original pattern. The
floorboards, running boards and wings are all original. Not a ha’porth of tar
has been saved anywhere, as can be seen in the quality of the replacement hood,
tonneau covers (front and rear) and the impressive hide upholstery.
A
local vintage Vauxhall specialist has described XN 9955 as "a peach of a car"
and who could disagree? It has been lovingly brought back to the superb
condition you see today, retaining all of its original
components and body and should give
its fortunate new custodian immense pleasure for many years to
come.
For more information - contact [email protected]
* All charges are subject to VAT