This Vauxhall 30-98 ‘Drain Pipe Special’ is a 1920s open-bodied tourer, with an interesting history. According to the Vauxhall 30-98 register, ‘OE221’ started life in 1924 with a Velox body. Owned by JJ Leahy, it was written off after being crashed at a Bathurst event at Blayney Road. Bill Chadwick, a founding member of the Vintage Sports Car Club of Australia (VSCCA) and president of the Bathurst Light Car Club, bought the remains and created the ‘Drain Pipe Special’. He built a new chassis along the lines of the Maybach special, and used the car in competition club events and hill climbs in the Bathurst area and at Mount Panorama during the 1950s. Jumbo Goddard, a well-known competitor, persuaded Bill to sell him the car and later commissioned the fitment of a V8 Hispano-Suiza aircraft engine, intending a vintage speed record attempt. Unfortunately, he passed away before the work was completed. The remaining parts were bought by Fred Hemmings, who rebuilt the car to its Drain Pipe Special specification. Power comes from a 4,225cc straight-four, producing around 115bhp / 86kW, paired with a four-speed manual transmission. The odometer shows 89,082 miles, though this is not warranted. In November 1922, it was announced that the 30-98 engine would be updated with overhead valves and a detachable cylinder head, and renamed ‘OE’. The ‘OE’ production run consisted of 313 cars. The stroke was returned to its original length which gave a slightly smaller capacity of 4,225cc, but power output increased by 30% to 115 bhp (86 kW). Low speed torque was also improved. The wheelbase was lengthened four inches and widened by three inches, for improved interior comfort. This Drain Pipe Special features a four-inch tubular chassis along the lines of the Maybach special, with torsion bar front suspension and quarter ellipticals on the rear. The crankcase is a D-type unit modified to 30-98 specification with a four-bolt centre main cap. The cylinder head, block, camshaft, followers, crankshaft and inlet manifold are all 30-98 items. There is a four-branch exhaust manifold, as originally fitted by Bill Chadwick, and a lightened flywheel with a Borg & Beck clutch. The gearbox is fitted with high-ratio constant mesh gears, and the rear axle has a 3.31 crown wheel and pinion. Stopping power is from finned alloy Fiat 519 brakes. Accompanying the vehicle will be the original chassis build drawings, a collection of photographs and literature, and vintage car awards from Show & Shine Australia Day 2021 and Noosa Beach Classic Car Club 2017. Please refer to the photo gallery to assess the exterior and interior condition. Specific notes from the seller include: the seats are worn with an appealing patina; the car has some minor oil leaks. During the seller's ownership, the sump has been removed to attend to an oil leak, and the main and big end caps were removed for inspection of the white metal bearings. This Vauxhall 30-98 is a 1920s open-bodied tourer, which was rebuilt as a ‘Drain Pipe Special’ by Bill Chadwick, a founding member of the Vintage Sports Car Club of Australia (VSCCA) and president of the Bathurst Light Car Club, and later campaigned in competition club events and hill climbs during the 1950s. Having won two vintage car awards in recent years, it would make a desirable addition to a classic collection, as well as a head-turning weekend cruiser and car show companion. The description of this consignment is, to the best of the seller’s knowledge, accurate and not misleading. Collecting Cars requests a range of detail about the lot from the seller and performs a level of due diligence. However, potential buyers must independently satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description. Potential buyers should view or arrange inspections as well as conduct any research they feel is necessary before committing to bid or buy. Please note that it is not uncommon for classic or collectible vehicles to have received cosmetic repairs in the past, either to rectify damage or refresh appearance, and this work may be undetectable even upon visual inspection. Unless there is an explicit statement by the seller to the contrary, please assume that any vehicle could have had bodywork or paintwork during its life. Furthermore, photographs may not reflect the true colour or full condition of the vehicle. It is a bidder’s responsibility to satisfy themselves of the colour and condition of a vehicle, including its interior and the existence of any remedial bodywork or paintwork, before committing to bid or buy. This includes by raising enquiries with the seller in the comments section. For vehicles, unless otherwise stated, potential buyers should also assume that any cherished registration may be retained by the seller. Please see our Terms and Conditions for full details. This vehicle’s VIN has been checked against the Australian Personal Property Securities Register, and there is no security interest or other registration kind logged against the serial number. This vehicle has been checked through the Austroads NEVDIS system, and there are no markers under the written-off or stolen databases.