Vauxhall 30-98 Tyres
Vauxhall 30/98 on tour with Longstone Tyres in Portugal on beaded edge tyres
Vauxhall 30/98 1913–1927
- The first of the E-Type Vauxhall 30/98 fitted 880 - 120 beaded edge tyres from Dunlop. In this size the best available tyre is the 880 x 120 Ensign Chevron Cord.
- By the end of the Great War the side-valve E-Type 30/98 had moved to the more sporting, lower 820-120 beaded edge tyres. In this size we recommend the 820-120 Ensign Chevron Cord.
- In 1922 Vauxhall uprated the engine to overhead valve; these OE-type 30/98 models continued to fit 820 - 120 Dunlop beaded edge tyres. Fortunately the 820 - 120 Ensign Chevron Cord tyres use the same tread pattern and mould as the original Dunlop Chevron Cord fitted in the 1920s.
- Some export Colonial E-Type and OE 30/98 models still fitted the taller 880 - 120 Dunlop Chevron Cord tyres for long-distance work and greater ground clearance.
- All beaded-edge tyres need innertubes. The best tubes for these tyres is the Central Valve H/D Michelin Inner Tube 880x120.
- Later models fitted straight-sided 23" tyres. Our recommended 23" tyre is the 32 x 4 1/2 (23" rim) 500 x 23 Lucas.
1926 Vauxhall 30/98
- For these 23" straight-sided tyres the best innertube is the Reinforced Inner Tube 815X105, and these wheels must also be fitted with 23" flaps.
- Beaded-edge tyres need high pressures — a minimum of 60psi, often 70–80psi depending on body style and weight. Straight-sided 23" high-pressure tyres should be fitted with around 65psi.
- Because of historic supply difficulty with beaded-edge tyres, and because obsolete beaded-edge technology is not suited to modern grippy tarmac roads, many owners fitted 21" wheels. 21" wheels are an easier, more reliable and safer option.
- On 21" wheels we recommend the 5.25 x 21 Lucas or 5.25 x 21 Firestone.
- For these 21" Vauxhall 30/98 tyres the best innertube is the Michelin 19/20H. They are strong and reinforced, ideal for these applications. Pressures on 525-21 tyres should be approximately 35–45psi depending on body style and usage.
We have period Vauxhall 30-98 Specification sheets below, one specifically covering the 1926 Vauxhall 30/98 Colonial model, and a 1918–1929 Vauxhall Tyre Specifications book that focueses on wheel and tyre information.
Vauxhall 30-98 Recommended Tyres
Other Options for Vauxhall 30-98 Tyres
History of the Vauxhall 30-98
The Vauxhall 30–98 is an automobile produced by Vauxhall from 1913 to 1927. It was authoritatively regarded as one of Britain's best-known sports cars, and Automobile Quarterly noted in the mid-20th century that it was lovingly known as the "last of the Edwardians," and recognised as the first and maybe the greatest British sports vehicle.
The designation 30–98 is said to come from the engine's output of 30 bhp at 1,000 rpm and 98 horsepower at 3,000 rpm. Another possibility is that it had a RAC horsepower rating of 30 and a cylinder bore of 98 mm, albeit the most likely reason is that there existed a popular but heavier and slower Mercedes 38/90 at the time.
Vauxhall 30/98 Tyre Specifications
1926 Vauxhall 30/98 Colonial Model Specifications
