1923 Vauxhall OD 23-60 Malvern Tourer

Prior to 1925, when Vauxhall was taken over by General Motors, the firm was renowned for producing handsome, finely engineered cars that put it on a par with Bentley or Sunbeam. Introduced in 1922, the 23-60 was a development of the 4.0-litre, four-cylinder, sidevalve-engined D-Type Vauxhall of 1913, which had been designed by the firm's famous Chief Engineer, Laurence Pomeroy. Production of the original D-Type was maintained during WWI when the model was widely used as an army staff car. Manufacture continued after the cessation of hostilities, though Pomeroy departed and his place was taken by Charles Evelyn King, who designed a new overhead-valve detachable cylinder head for both the D-Type and its legendary sporting stablemate, the 30-98. Updated with King's OHV 'head in mid-1922, the model was known thereafter as the 23-60 or OD and was built until 1926, by which time the Luton firm had become part of the General Motors conglomerate. The OD 23-60 Vauxhall was a popular overseas model and many were dispatched to British Empire markets. Approximately 1,300 were made, of which some 100 survive.

This delightful Vauxhall 23-60 Malvern tourer was delivered new to Australia and, pleasingly is accompanied by list of owners in that country dating back to 1932 which is rare in a car from the US or Australia and it’s nice to know where the old girl spent those 66 years.

In May 1998, the car was imported into the UK by Andrew Booth (Orchid Cars), registered as SV 7736 and sold to a Mr Ray Harris of the West Midlands. The car then had two further owners before its acquisition by our vendor in September 2022. We understand from the previous owner that the Vauxhall has been repainted and reupholstered but remains all original with its chassis number on the scuttle, floorboards and so on and both wings, apparently, are date-stamped. Shortly after our vendor’s purchase, it successfully competed on the Long Course at the VSCC Prescott September Meeting, not missing a beat and was driven there and back on the road. It was proudly displayed at London Classic Car Show in February this year, however, it’s now being offered for sale as our vendor has been tempted by the prospect of racing a recently purchased single-seater with the VSCC.

Recently maintained by Keith Pointing, the car is said to have no known faults, whilst the rare and spacious seven-seater Malvern tourer coachwork makes it an even more attractive prospect. Offered with a good history file, we welcome your inspection of this handsome Malvern Tourer.