For Rolls-Royce and Bentley Enthusiasts PRÆCLARVM The National Journal of the Rolls-Royce Owners’ Club of Australia No. 1-17 February 2017

1950 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith, WHD101, emerges from its 20 year long restoration

Quidvis recte factum quamvis humile præclarum Whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble. Royce, 1924

PRÆCLARVM The National Journal of the Rolls-Royce Owners’ Club of Australia No. 1-17, February 2017 Issue 288 Features Regular Items Events Calendar 7097 From the Editor 7098 From the Federal President 7099 From the Sir Henry Royce Foundation Chairman 7100 News from the Registers 7120 Market Place 7126

Regular contributor to Præclarvm, Ian Irwin Articles and Features this month tells the tale of the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, 30NA supporting Field Marshal Documentation and Tales of a 1914 Silver Ghost in Military 7101 Sir John French and its driver Sergeant William Service. In this edition Ian Irwin (ACT) tells of the operation of the Silver Young, see the story on page 7101. Ghost, 30NA, in the service of Field Marshal Sir John French in WWI. An unusual Royce artefact donated to the Foundation. Gilbert 7103 Ralph, Hon. Archivist SHRF, tells us of the recent donation of a Royce company solenoid probably made in the 1880s. Travel Snaps. As part of this series of Rolls-Royce and Bentley inspired 7104 photographs taken by Members; Geoff Shepherd (Vic) tells of his visit to Torre Loizaga in Spain; the world’s largest Private Rolls-Royce Collection. Wealthy Widow Rolls-Royce Driver. David Neely (NSW) Continues in 7106 tracing the histories of Australian-delivered Company vehicles; this time he talks of the Horden Family of Sydney’s Silver Ghost (2617). Sir Henry Royce Foundation Surplus Book and Magazine Sales. 7106 SHRF Archivist Gilbert Ralph gives the details The Foundation advertises many books in their collection that are of the oldest item now in the Archive. It is duplicated and are therefore for sale. a pipe organ operating Solenoid made by The Rolls-Royce Tender: James Stejskal, (Virginia USA) continues 7107 Royce’s company in about 1888. Præclarvm’s series on the Silver Ghost Armoured Cars this time detailing Read the story on page 7103. the service of Silver Ghosts used as tenders, the unarmed derivative. A Serendipitous Group of Photographs of Rolls-Royce Fighting 7110 Cars. Your Editor shows perhaps previously unseen photographs, from member Ralph Schmidt (Vic), of Rolls-Royce armoured and tender cars. 1950 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith - WHD101 - Part III – 20 years on 7112 – getting serious and fi nishing the job: ACT member Martin Bennett fi nalises the 20 year story of his rebuilding of his Silver Wraith. My ‘Journey’ with a Turbo R - BRK25143: Roland Sharman (SA) 7116 details the refurbishment of his Bentley Turbo R, the fi rst SMART car to be so described in Præclarvm’s pages. Twenty Topics No 66 - 100 years since the Battle of Jutland 7120 in WWI. In this edition David Davis (NSW) continues to discuss many This edition centre-spread is a group of interesting topics related to the Rolls-Royce 20 HP world. perhaps unseen photos of the Rolls-Royce Ghost armoured cars and tenders in use in Iran during WWI The were discovered by Ralph Schmidt (Vic) at an auto swap meet. See the photos on page 7110.

front cover: Martin Bennett, former and longest serving Editor of PRÆCLARVM, last wrote of the restoration of his 1950, Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith, WHD101, in edition 3 of 1996. In 2016, and a long 20 years later, he is able to complete the restoration story as the car undertook its fi rst outing; to the 2016, MotorClassica Display in Melbourne last October. See the story of the years of effort on page 7112.

Club Website: www.rroc.org.au Back Issues of Præclarvm: http://praeclarum.rroc.org.au/ Roland Sharman (SA) gives Præclarvm full Views expressed in Præclarvm are those of the individual writers. details of his refurbishment of his 1988 Bentley Turbo R (BRK25143). The deadline for the April 2017 issue is 15 March 2017. Read the story on page 7116. 7096 PRÆCLARVM 1-17 Præclarvm (ISSN 0159-4583) is published six times per year by the Federal Council of the Rolls- Events Calendar Royce Owners’ Club of Australia. Whilst every Federal, Register & Overseas Events care is taken to check information published, no responsibility can be accepted for errors. Views 9-15 Mar 17 ‘High Country’ Overlander to 2017 Federal Rally Allan Simpson 02-9362-9440 expressed by the Editor and contributors are their own and do not necessarily refl ect the policies 15-20 Mar 2017 Federal Rally, Canberra Ian Irwin 0413-582-687 of the Club. Nothing in this journal, including 23-25 Jun RREC (UK) Annual Rally, Burghley House, Stamford Trevor Baldwin +44-1733- 262-680 any advertisement, should be construed as endorsement by the Editor or the Club of the quality 22-24 Sep Dawn Patrol XVI, Details TBA. John Harriman 0499-555-243 or suitability of any product, service or procedure. Australian Capital Territory Branch - President: Ian Irwin Change of Address: Members should notify their New South Wales Branch - President: Bruce Duncan Branch Secretary (address below), not the Editor, in the fi rst instance to advise change of address or 11 Feb Breakfast at Hunters Hill Club, Hunters Hill Judith Merlin 02-4308-3811 non-receipt of an issue. 11 Feb Highlands Steam And Vintage Fair, Oberon Judith Merlin 02-4308-3811 Contributions: Articles, letters and/or illustrations 15 Feb General Meeting, Barnwell Park Golf Club, Five Dock Judith Merlin 02-4308-3811 for publication should be sent to the Editor, address below. Articles should preferably be sent as Text fi le 18-19 Feb The Gnoo Blas Classic Car Club Show, Orange Judith Merlin 02-4308-3811 on CD, or emailed to [email protected] (otherwise 21 Feb Cafe Del Mar, Cockle Bay Wharf, Dineamics Lunch Judith Merlin 02-4308-3811 as typed hard copy). 25 Feb Technical Day, Hornsby Judith Merlin 02-4308-3811 Federal Executive 5 Mar Clean Up Australia, Putney Judith Merlin 02-4308-3811 President: Neil Matthews, PO Box 443, Berwick, VIC, 3806 11 Mar Breakfast at Hunters Hill Club, Hunters Hill Judith Merlin 02-4308-3811 0408-995-720 (m) 22 Mar General Meeting, Barnwell Park Golf Club, Five Dock Judith Merlin 02-4308-3811 Email: [email protected] Secretary: Steve McDonald, 2 Apr Commemoration Day, Hunters Hill Club Judith Merlin 02-4308-3811 1/24 Homedale Cres, Connells Point, NSW, 2221 19 Apr General Meeting, Barnwell Park Golf Club, Five Dock Judith Merlin 02-4308-3811 02-8064-9900 Email: [email protected] Queensland Branch - President: Ian Maitland Treasurer: Peter Chan, 21 Feb Garage Visit & Lunch at Parkwood Golf Club, Gold Coast Ian Maitland 0498-47-275 PO Box 827, Fyshwick, ACT. 2609 20 Mar Carpark Capers Brett Roberts 07-3353-9915 02-6161-7316 Email: [email protected] 23 Apr Golden Oldies Run to Flame Hill Winery, Montville Frank Carroll 0418-775-963 South Australian Branch - President: David Furniss The Sir Henry Royce Foundation Russell Rolls, 26 Feb Cruising Yacht Club Run, North Haven Peter Forbes 0411-246-841 PO Box 140, South Yarra Vic, 3141. 2 Apr Concours and lunch at Hahndorf Peter Forbes 0411-246-841 0418-325-086 (m) Email: [email protected] Victoria Branch - President: Noel Baker 19 Feb RACV Classic Showcase, Flemington Racecourse Brian Williams 0458-888-767 Federal Publications Præclarvm Editor: Tim Dean, 19 Feb Deloraine Street Rally, Deloraine, Tasmania Section Carney Cox 0400-098-197 1630 Malvern Road, Glen Iris, VIC, 3146. 5 Mar Southern Vineyards Open Day, Teatree, Tasmania Sec Carney Cox 0400-098-197 0401-987-808 (m) 03-9886-9024 (fax) Email: [email protected] 9 Mar General Meeting, Bill Allsep House, Rowville Brian Williams 0458-888-767 Registrar (Chassis Plate): 6 Apr 60th Year Anniversary General Meeting, Bill Allsep House Brian Williams 0458-888-767 David Neely, 23/1 Bay Drive, Meadowbank, NSW, 2114. Western Australia Branch - President: Diane Magrath 02-8084-8465 (h) 12 Feb ‘Beat the Heat’ run to Penguin Island, Rockingham Diane Magrath 08-9291-6549 Email: [email protected] Mailing list: Ian Dunn, 26 Mar Casual pub lunch run Diane Magrath 08-9291-6549 40 Murranji Street, Hawker, ACT, 2614. 2 Apr Curtin Radio Classic Car Show, Trinity College, Manning Diane Magrath 08-9291-6549 02-6278-3763 Email: [email protected]

Branch Secretaries Australian Capital Territory: Peter Hyland, PO Box 773, Mawson, ACT, 2606. 02-6286-4265 (h) Email: [email protected] New South Wales: Judith Merlin, 9 Twin Lakes Drive, Lake Haven, NSW, 2263. 02-4308-3811 (h) 0421-690-299 (m) Email: [email protected] Queensland: Glenn Cuffe, 87 Kauri Road, Ashgrove, Qld, 4060 Tel: 07-3366-6306 (h) Email: [email protected] South Australia: Peter Forbes, PO Box 355, Welland, SA 5007 0411-246-841 Email: [email protected] Victoria: Brian Williams, PO Box 21, Kew, VIC, 3101. 0458-888-767 Email: [email protected] Western Australia: Alan Dickson, PO Box 590, Kalamunda, WA, 6926. 08-9246-3295 Email: [email protected] Section Contacts above: Bentley recently announced its fastest and most powerful production model to date: Northern Territory: Keith Preston, the new Bentley Continental Supersports. With a top speed of 209 mph (336 km/h) and a 0-60 PO Box 1066, Palmerston, NT, 0831. mph time of 3.4 seconds (0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds) new Continental Supersports is the world’s 08-8983-1029 fastest and most powerful luxury four-seat car. Similarly, its soft-top sibling, the Continental Tasmania: Carney Cox, Supersports Convertible, is the fastest four-seat convertible in the world, despatching the 115 Gloucester St, West Launceston, TAS, 7005 sprint to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds (0-100 km/h in 3.9 secs) on its way to a 205 mph (330 km/h) 0400-098-197 top speed. (photo courtesy of Bentley Motors) PRÆCLARVM 1-17 7097 F rom the Editor Welcome to 2017: This first edition for 2017 holds much information and items of interest to Club members. The centre-spread is of special note where Victorian Member, Ralph Schmidt, shares some rare, and perhaps previously unseen, photos of Silver Ghost armoured and tender vehicles in operation in Iraq. Ralph was given the photos by another attendee at a swap meet in response to Ralph’s sign asking if anyone had any items of a Rolls-Royce or Bentley nature to share (see page 7110 for the full story). Ralph also shared photos of a cap badge from the British Armoured Car force and a model of a 1920 Armoured Car in the Matchbox Models of Yesteryear range. This all triggers your Editor’s interest to wonder what other items of ephemera other Members may have in their keeping that they may be interested in sharing with other members. If you have something interesting Præclarvm would be glad to receive any details and a few photos of your item, that is relevant to Rolls- Royce or Bentley, for inclusion in a future edition. I look forward to being flooded with all sorts of material of interest. Canberra Federal Rally 2017: As you might expect there is a hint of excitement growing in the ACT Branch as their upcoming hosting of the 2017 comes ever closer. There are a few matters to bring to members attention: The Final Message from the Branch: Please see page 7119 for the last information from the Branch. There are a few things to especially note: Early-bird entries have now closed and the Final Date for th entries is 28 February. The ACT Branch warns that although above top: Ralph Schmidt’s 1920 Rolls-Royce Armoured Car entries may be accepted after that date, they cannot be from the Matchbox Models of Yesteryear range. guaranteed access to all events of the entrant’s choice. above: Ralph’s British Armoured Car, troops’ hat badge with the Car Display Day: motto: Celere Exploratu - translating to: Swift Investigation.. Cars attending the Public Display Day, to be held on the SMART Registrar: Patrick White Lawns, will need to be Registered as they need You will read in this edition President Neil Matthew’s National Capital Authority permission to park on the lawns. announcement of Bruce Duncan (NSW President) as the new All unauthorised vehicles on the site will be subject to ACT SMART Registrar. This is good new for the Club as the ever Government Parking fines. It has hurt many before this, be growing area of the Club will again enjoy model-specific activities warned! perhaps separately from the other models. Bruce fell to my Swap Table at Display Day: prompting and sent a short personal introduction, his interest in the SMART models and all things Rolls-Royce and Bentley. Bob Roberts (NSW) informs Præclarvm that he will be Præclarvm wishes him well in his new role and hopes that the organising the Swap Table at the Canberra Rally. Members are SMART Register becomes a great contributor to its pages. asked to bring along items they may wish to sell and that they place sensible prices on each items. He will then attempt to sell The Victoria Branch Turns 60: them on the Display Day. Members wishing for him to take larger The 6th April this year sees Victoria’s 60th Birthday. Apart items to the rally in his trailer should please contact him well from the Anniversary Meeting on April 6th many other events are before on 0407-002-350. being planned. Of note is the Birthday Black-tie Dinner to be held at the Brighton Yacht Club on May 20th. All Members of our Club are invited to attend The Sir Henry Royce Foundation any of the events. More details in the next Invitation Præclarvm.

F J Engish Award for Club I hope to see you all in Canberra,

Photography for 2016 Happy motoring,

Entries are invited for the 2016 F J Engish Award for Club Photography. Tim Dean (Vic) The award has been named by the Trustees in recognition of Fred’s contribution of the GBK58, BSH20044 F J Engish Photographic Archive, which contains over 12,000 images of Club events. The Foundation is grateful to Fred Engish for his continued support of the award. The competition is now in its eighth year. The winner receives a cash prize of $500. The competition is open to members of the RROCA. The photograph must be taken at a RROCA event in the 2016 calendar year and there is a limit of one photograph per member. The judging will be undertaken by the Trustees with the assistance of an external artistic consultant, the criteria being for a photograph that exemplifi es the “spirit” of Rolls-Royce and Bentley motor cars and of the “friendly atmosphere” of Club outings. Also taken into account will be the “artistic composition” of the subject material. Entries close on 28 February 2017. The Winner will be announced at the 2017 Federal Rally in Canberra in March. Please email the photographs to the Præclarvm Editor: [email protected] 7098 PRÆCLARVM 1-17 F rom the Federal President nother year zooms by – every year spare day, numerous cups Athey seem to go more quickly, or is of tea, case hardened it that it takes me longer to do things? knuckles, a severe dose of I may need some guidance on this from determination and voilà! someone more senior than myself….. No more embarrassing Louise and I attended the fi nal event noises! for the 60th Birthday celebrations of the On a positive note, NSW Branch. The presentation dinner when some of the studs at the Royal Automobile Club in Sydney. were removed, all of the A spectacularly beautiful function radiator water drained room and a fi tting formal backdrop to out. Never realised how fi nalise the birthday of the NSW Branch. close together exhaust Wonderful company and we thoroughly ports and water jackets enjoyed the camaraderie of the evening. were in the block. I have attended the majority of the Another thing to worry Sir Henry Royce Foundation meetings in about when driving – I above: Club President Neil and Louise my Presidency. It is good to see that the wonder if the new studs are leaking water? Yes back to the positive note - Matthews attended the NSW Branch 60th Foundation is moving ahead with many Birthday Dinner at the RAC in Sydney. interesting and varied acquisitions. Bertha then had a radiator fl ush and new saw some unfortunate date choices of Funding is always a question raised at coolant added. Another thing to worry Club functions that could have easily the meetings and the Foundation could about when driving – did I do up the hose been avoided with a bit of foresight and do so much more with ongoing funding. clamps properly? Touring in a 65 year old investigation – the Præclarvm Events The Trustees are working hard to fi nd a Rolls-Royce in potentially 30 plus degrees Calendar is always a good source of suitable solution to this problem. is such a stress-free way to see Australia! I would not have it any other way. upcoming major Club events. A few things are coming up, a Brian Carson from the Queensland Perth visit in February to spend some Now for the leaky windscreen – maybe Branch I would consider to be a Rolls- time with the WA Branch at their Beat it might not rain in Canberra. Although Royce and Bentley tragic. To give you the Heat run to Penguin Island. This if I do not fi x the leak, it will defi nitely some idea of what I mean, he is the only reminds me to write that it is important rain. Lloyd Missen did mention a magical person I have ever met that has taken to ensure that future events for your sealing product that is made in the UK (so a photograph of every Rolls-Royce and branch are advertised in the Events it must be good). Apparently you wave it Bentley attending an RREC Rally. I have Calendar section of Præclarvm so that in the general direction of the windscreen to say his passion runs very deep! over-border visitors can come along if and it fi xes all leaks. I shall email Lloyd they are in your State. and ask his advice. I will advise you next Brian has offered his services to time of the results as this could take a set up a RROCA Facebook page. The Of course in March, the most while. In the meantime a full service, Facebook page is underway now and important event of the RROCA calendar, oils, fi lter and replace brake fl uid. Now all for those with the knowledge it can be the Federal Rally in Canberra. President done and ready for the Federal Rally. I found if you search Facebook for: Rolls- of ACT Branch, Ian Irwin tells me that advise that you take similar precautions Royce Owners’ Club of Australia. Thank the Rally Headquarters at Rydges is to ensure stress-free travel ! you Brian for coming up with the skills nearly full and the entry forms are and supporting the Club in this way – rolling in very quickly now. By the time I mentioned in the last edition of most appreciated! you read this edition of Præclarvm, Præclarvm that the Federal Executive event co-ordination will be complete. were looking for a volunteer for the The Trademark agreement with Rolls- Can I suggest that you consider the position of SMART Registrar – that is a Royce Motor Cars Limited is still under idea of entering the Concours if you Registrar for Spirit, Mulsanne and related discussion and hopefully a positive are attending the Canberra Rally? The types. I am happy to report that Bruce outcome will be forthcoming prior to the experience is well worth the effort Duncan, the incumbent President of Federal Rally. and for those who have never entered the NSW Branch offered to take on this I think this is all I have to report this Concours, it is rewarding in many ways. position. The Federal Executive endorsed time around. Of course there will be a ACT Branch always put on a terrifi c Rally, this and now Bruce has taken on the role. full Presidential report for the post-Rally so I strongly recommend that you join For those who enjoyed the last Dawn edition of Præclarvm in the next edition. us in our capital city. Patrol to Wagga, you may remember that Look forward to seeing you all in In relation to distance travelling, Bruce was most instrumental in arranging Canberra. Louise has always made notes this rally. Bruce has earned his wings and we would like to thank him for picking up Until next time, safe travels. as we travel, of immediate life or Neil Matthews (VIC) death maintenance problems like air the baton. I feel certain that all Members conditioning not working or the seat will support Bruce in this needs fi xing or some such issue. One additional position. Be ready problem on the list that I thought for a SMART event really needed immediate attention was the soon! annoying fl uffi ng noise coming from the I will be encouraging all leaky gasket on the exhaust manifold. of the Registrars to begin Always embarrassing at slow speeds like discussions about their walking pace - I could always feel Bertha plans for the coming 12 blushing. However, if you have all of the months and importantly bits in hand, gaskets by 3, new studs by ensuring that any national 6, broken stud extractor by 2 (one always gatherings do not clash breaks) new exhaust nuts (exorbitantly with currently publicised expensive made from unobtainium), a Club functions. Last year

PRÆCLARVM 1-17 7099 F rom The Sir Henry Royce Foundation Donation of 1967 Phantom V – publicly this generous donation by Ian. standards and reporting requirements. 5VF155 It is an indication of confidence in The I am please to report that The n January 1968 the Australian Foundation as the logical “custodian” Foundation’s 2016 Annual Information IGovernment took delivery of two of historic Australian Rolls-Royce and Statement has been lodged with 1967 Phantom V limousines – 5VF155 Bentley cars and associated memorabilia. the ACNC. As a consequence, The and 5VF159. Both cars had identical It will be a memorable occasion when Foundation is entitled to use the specifications and were a special order legal ownership of 5VF155 passes to “Registered Charity Tick” to show that for use by visiting royalty, heads of state The Foundation. 5VF155 and 5VF159 its governance and financial processes and the Governor-General. In 1993, are identical “sister” cars, having been meet the exacting requirements of the along with other Federal Government- ordered as purpose-built royal transport. Government’s regulations. owned Rolls-Royces, these two cars There will be few other pairs of royal Donations of material for the were put up for sale by tender. The cars under single ownership anywhere “Archive” reason given for the sale was “the need in the world. The Foundation “Archive” is an for greater security, which these older Trustees Meeting important repository for all historical vehicles could not provide”. The Trustees will meet, this time in documentation relating to the RROCA, The upshot of this sale was that Melbourne, over the weekend of February the Club Branches, and Rolls-Royce 5VF159 came into the ownership of 4 and February 5. The Saturday meeting and Bentley in Australia. Gilbert Ralph NSW Members John Matheson and will be held at Bill Allsep House and (Honourary Archivist) and his team of Jeanne Eve with 5VF155 coming into will follow a normal agenda considering volunteers meet at Bill Allsep House the ownership of Victorian Member Ian such matters as Foundation finances, every second Monday to manage the Tonkin. the “Archive” and the activities of the “Archive”. John and Jeanne were enthusiastic “Archive” volunteers, participation Since the last edition of “Praeclarvm” owners of 5VF159, driving it across the in Motorclassica 2017, progress with there have been further donations of Nullarbor to a Federal Rally in WA and “refreshing” the website, etc. The Sunday material to the “Archive”. The following subsequently taking it on the Peking meeting will be a workshop, focusing on people made donations of a wide to Paris Motor Challenge. In 2000, the future direction and strategy of The variety of interesting documentation: John and Jeanne donated the car to Foundation. There will be a formal report Tim Dean, Fergus Nutt and David The Foundation. Since that time it has on the outcome of this workshop at the Marshall-Martin. been a regular attender at both Federal forthcoming Canberra Federal Rally. If you have books, photographs or Rallies and NSW Branch events and is Consultative Committee any material of historical interest relating an outstanding “ambassador” for The to matters Rolls-Royce or Bentley please Foundation. The formal channel of communication between the RROCA Branches and The give consideration to donating them to I am delighted to announce that Foundation is the Consultative Committee. The Foundation. Ian Tonkin has initiated the process to This Committee will meet again at the Late last year, Gilbert and his team donate 5VF155 to The Foundation. Ian 2017 Federal Rally, immediately after the of volunteers conducted a detailed has been a long-time Member of the RROCA Federal Council Meeting. Any stocktake check of material in the Victoria Branch and has been a regular Member is welcome to make input to The “Archive”. This check confirmed that attender at Branch events with the car. Foundation via their Branch President. there are 36,484 items of historical Ian now believes it is time for a “new importance in the “Archive”. This life” for 5VF155 and has decided that Registered Charity Tick is an indication of the strength of The Foundation is the ideal “custodian” The Foundation is a reportable The Foundation in documenting and of such an historic vehicle. The formal entity under the Federal Government’s preserving the Rolls-Royce and Bentley documentation required under The Registered Charities and Not-for-profits heritage in Australia. (An item is defined Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Commission (ACNC). The ACNC was as a separately identifiable thing such Act 1986 and the Australian Taxation established to regulate the charity as a book, a magazine, a photograph, Office has been lodged. When these sector and to ensure that appropriate a picture, a drawing, a model or any authorities have signed off on the governance standards are maintained individual object. Magazines bound into donation, formal ownership of 5VF155 by all tax-exempt charity organisations. a volume are taken as one item whereas will pass to The Foundation. In the Greater trust can be placed in all images are regarded as separate interim, 5VF155 is under the care of The organisations that are registered with and items.) Foundation. regulated by the ACNC. To assist with Members are referred to The The Trustees wish to acknowledge the identification of registered charities, the Federal Government has introduced Foundation’s website – www. the “Registered roycefoundation.com.au - where there Charity Tick”. is a listing of most of the items in the This is a symbol collection. that registered Foundation Website charities can use In the last issue of “Praeclarvm” to show that they I announced that Roger Thiedeman are transparent, had volunteered his services to assist accountable and with the “refresh” of The Foundation’s meet the ACNC’s website. Roger has started this process governance and will continue to review and update left: The 1967 website pages, as required, through Phantom V (5V155) 2017. If you come across information MPW Limousine that is incorrect or out-of-date or links recently donated to the that are broken, please let me know. SHRF on display at the 2016, Bendigo Federal Russell Rolls Rally. Chairman Of Trustees 7100 PRÆCLARVM 1-17 Documentation and Tales of a 1914 Silver Ghost in Military Service Ian Irwin (ACT) In this issue, Ian Irwin turns the clock back a hundred years or so, and delves into documentation relating to the exceptional military roles of a Great War warrior, a Silver Ghost that provided performance above and beyond, in the service of God, King and Country. ield Marshall Sir John Denton Pinkstone French KP, GCB, OM, GCVO, KCMG, ADC, PC, was Fborn to Anglo-Irish parents, in Kent, on 28 September 1852. As a young man he joined the Royal Navy as a midshipman, but later joined the cavalry as an offi cer. The cavalry movement was always his passion and belief. He became a national hero during the Boer War when he won the Battle of Elandslaagte, near Ladysmith, escaping on the last train before a siege of the town. He was knighted in 1901. In the Edwardian period, he commanded 1 Corps at Aldershot Barracks, becoming Inspector- General of the Army soon after. In 1912 he was appointed Chief of the Imperial General Staff in 1912 becoming heavily involved in preparations for the war that seemed inevitable. He was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the British Expeditionary Force, and held this position for the fi rst eighteen months of The Great War. His military career was not without controversy, however, being in confl ict with other leading military personnel on strategies thought best during phases of the war. He had serious differences with the French General Lanzerac, and the British Secretary of State for War, Lord Kitchener. The writer is not a student of military history, so for those seeking further background on this, the world wide web can supply a wealth of history related to this period of British involvement. Enter Sergeant William Young. For the following, I am indebted to a photocopy of a press article, undated, but thought to be from 1933, from the British magazine, People, from the private papers of William Young. The correspondent from People, called upon Young, then the host at the Stag and Hounds Inn on the Basingstoke-Winchester main road. Young was obviously very proud of his own military career. He had at fi rst been chauffeur to Lord Roberts, Chief of General Staff from 1904 until his death in November 1914. ‘Take a look at that’ he said. His guest found a gold French coin known colloquially as a Louis, which Young had pplaced on the bar. abovea top: Commander of the British Expedi- tionaryt Force, Field Marshal Sir John French in AugustA 1915. aabove: The historic Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, CChassis 30NA, used by Commander-in-Chief, GGeneral Sir John French in France lleft: the 1933 People Magazine cutting from WWilliam Young’s papers.

Young had been a military Chauffeur attached tto the War Offi ce, and driven kings and princes, aall manner of military ‘top brass’ in France from bbefore and following the outset of the war. Young rrevealed that royalty and great statesmen had ddriven behind him as he drove them across the bbattle-scarred fi elds of Flanders. ‘I would never part with that coin, and I will ttell you why. It is the last coin that Lord Roberts eever handled, and I am the last man who drove hhim. I was his chauffeur when he inspected the bbattlefi elds in 1914,’ he said. ‘It was in November and I remember that it wwas a terrible night when we drove back to the bbase- cold, wet and miserable. I am sure that it was that last drive through such bad weather tthat hastened his end. He stepped out of the car

PRÆCLARVM 11-17-17 7101 He said that on one occasion, Sir John sought relief from the vehicle and walked ahead to a British camp, ordering Young to follow slowly behind. He reached the base well ahead of the car, and found the troops preparing a meal. French, in a plain macintosh and with an oxidised hat badge, asked ‘Well and how are you fellows feeding?” he asked. The cook did not recognise him, and thinking it was some refl ection on his culinary art, swung round and immediately asked ‘What the ----‘s it go to do with you?’ Young said the cook‘s face showed his embarrassment when he realised who he had just spoken to. Young said he had driven Lord Plumer, Lord Kitchener, Earl Haig, Viscount Allenby, Lord Derby, Mr Balfour (Ex-PM of Great Britain), and Winston Churchill. Also President Poincare, who awarded him the Medaille Militaire, and French Generals Joffre and Foch, as well as Sir Henry Wilson who was assassinated. The French General Ferdinand Foch was a master military theorist and tactician, who in 1918 was appointed Supreme Allied Commander during the fi nal year of the Great War. It would be fair to say that rarely, if ever, has any Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost driver had such responsibility thrust upon him. Sergeant Young received a letter from Rolls-Royce Ltd dated June 12th 1916, seeking comment from Lord French upon the performance of the Rolls-Royce 30NA, as the company wished to compile a record of such reports to publish, with the sanction of the authorities at the conclusion of the war. This letter, and the reply authorised by Lord French are appended, and are suffi ciently clear as not to warrant their being transcribed. Sadly, the last known record of at 6.30 pm and said “Thank you, driver”, and pressed that Louis you ownership of the car was held by Rolls-Royce Ltd in 1932. are holding, into my hand. Next morning he was dead.’ Young then proudly displayed for his visitor, a tiny tattered Union Jack. ‘I fl ew this fl ag on the front of my car when I drove The King [George V] from Dunkirk to meet the King of Belgium.’ A photograph on the wall in the lounge of the Inn was testament to this fact, and was signed by King George and King Albert as well as a host of dignitaries. King George gave him a gold watch, a gold pencil and a pair of gold cuff links with the Royal crest and monogram for his services. Young’s car was the Rolls-Royce, Chassis 30NA. Built as a 1914 Monte Carlo Trials Car, Chassis 30NA was soon to be sold to H.M. War Offi ce to be assigned to the Volunteer Transport Corps for General French. Carrying Limousine coachwork by Barker, the car bore the military identifi cation M1727. Young recalled that he drove many thousands of miles in France in 30NA, and never once experienced an accident nor a breakdown. ‘On some of the journeys, a breakdown would have been disastrous’ he said, ‘because often I was driving the brass hats to important conferences at which the plans for offensives were discussed. If they had been delayed or not arrived at all, it might have cost thousands of lives.’ ‘At the outbreak of the war, I was appointed chauffeur to Field-Marshall Sir Lord French, afterwards Lord Ypres. I well remember one wild drive with him to Paris.’ ‘We did not start until after dark, and drove through the night. I was not allowed to show even a glimmer of a light, and believe me it was a nerve-wracking business steering the car around hairpin bends at speed in pitch darkness. But we got there safely and on time too.’ above: The 1916 letter from Rolls-Royce Motor Works seeking information on FM Sir John French’s car military service. right: William Young’s reply giving details of the car (30NA) and relaying Viscount French’s agreement to these details being published. 7102 PRÆCLARVM 11-17 17 From the Sir Henry Royce Foundation Archives An unusual Royce artefact donated to the Foundation Gilbert M Ralph Hon. Archivist SHRF he history of F H Royce & Co is well with Commonwealth Tdocumented. Frederick Henry Royce Aircraft Corporation entered into a partnership with Ernest and its relationship with Claremont in 1884 and they started Rolls-Royce. Neville, business in Cooke Street, Manchester who is a Life Member making domestic electrical fi ttings such of the Theatre Organ as door bells and switches. In about 1888 Society of Australia, an organ builder, Robert Hope-Jones gave an explanation from Lancaster, asked Royce to produce of the signifi cance of a number of small electric solenoids the Royce solenoid he needed as part of an organ control and its function. For valve he was developing to replace the the technically-minded mechanically controlled valves currently reader he supplied the in use at the time. Royce readily satisfi ed diagrams below showing Hope-Jones request and Hope-Jones how the solenoids were used the solenoids in an organ he built used in the operation of for St Johns Church at Birkenhead, near the large pipes’ main air Liverpool. This was the fi rst successful supply valves. application of electro-pneumatic control of a pipe organ. right: The solenoid and its The Royce-made solenoid (see mounting materials beside photograph) was donated to the a tape measure to give Foundation by Nicholas Lang of some idea of the size of the oldest item in the SHRF’s Victoria and it has been certifi ed by Archive. The Lancastrian Theatre Organ Trust below: This exploded view (UK) as one of the type used in the St shows the valve system for Johns church organ. This is a rare item opening the Pallet which of signifi cant value and the Foundation supplies pressurised air to greatly appreciated Nicholas Lang’s each individual organ pipe. generous gift. In the Rest Position the There is a reference to these bellows pressure fi lls the chest and seals the pallet, solenoids in the writings of John de with no loss of pressure. Looze, Company Secretary of F H Royce below right: When the & Co in a document in which he wrote, solenoid is actuated, by a ‘and “inter alia” Electro Magnetos for switch on the key, the high Hope-Jones organ manufactured at pressure air is removed Birkenhead, the work was not of such a from the top of the shuttle nature as would call the attention of the valve which allows the “man in the street” who is desirous of Secondary Motor to be making his fortune with little risk’. The pressure closed and the quaintly described ‘Electro Magnetos’ are Pallet open to provide high pressure air to the Pipe, what we now usually call solenoids. thus producing the required The electro-pneumatic action is a note. control system for pipe organs in which the individual keys on the console act as switches which open valves within wind chests allowing low pressure air to enter the appropriate organ pipes with the resultant sound being emitted. This system allows the console to be physically separated from the organ itself, the only connection being an electric cable. It was this feature which was adopted by the Rudolph Wurlitzer Company in USA when they began building ‘Wurlitzer’ theatre organs for cinemas at the beginning of the 20th century. Wurlitzer organs were a notable feature in the Regent cinemas in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide and no doubt many others. The donated solenoid was shown for the fi rst time to members of the RROCA at a Victoria Branch meeting on 11th August when the guest speaker, Neville Smith, talked about his years

PRÆCLARVM 1-17 7103 Travel Snaps An occasional series of Rolls-Royce and Bentley-inspired photographs taken by Members

n this continuation of Praeclarum’s occasional series Iof members’ travel photographs, here are some taken by Geoff Shepherd (Vic.) and his partner Simone Kaplan when they visited the World’s largest private Rolls-Royce Collection in Torre Loizaga, Spain, and their account of the visit. y partner, Simone, and I have a love of travel and on one of Mour many sojourns we met a lady in San Sebastian, Spain, who knew of a private car collection which included a substantial Rolls-Royce collection that was located in a 13th century castle near Bilbao. The owner had sadly passed on and the collection was past to his immediate family, including Maria, who is managing the estate on behalf of the family. Our contact offered to ring her and see if a viewing could be arranged. After a day on the beach in San Sebastian we arrived back at our hotel to fi nd an urgent note, to contact a niece of the collector Signora Maria Lopez-Tapia de la Via who was managing the estate after the death of her Uncle, the collector, Snr Miguel de la Via. The visit had already been organised for the next day, and I could not believe our luck. We arrived at the entrance to the grand estate and peered through the heavily-fortifi ed gates. We waited until the Mechanic emerged and in broken English introduced himself and then opened the gates. Once through, the fi rst thing we saw was a large workshop with a Royal Sedanca Wraith on the hoist surrounded by many damaged Rolls-Royce grilles and bonnets (more on those later). On cue Maria arrived and introduced herself, and the tour started. I was just speechless, here was a Royal Sedanca, a Ghost, a Twenty, and new Phantom, a James Young-bodied Cloud. Some were dismantled and some of them appeared damaged. The sad story was then explained; that a large tree had crashed through one of the sheds (shed was an understatement) and caused signifi cant damage. After the workshop tour we went off to the fi rst shed. What I did not realise was that the sheds were located in a 13th Century Castle. Through the most beautiful enclosed stone wall entrance we walked into the grounds of the castle (it was breath-taking and not unlike Windsor Castle) we continued on until we came to a sign: Pavilion No 1. These were not sheds, they were huge pavilions. The doors were opened and in we went: Ferraris, Bugattis, Porsches, Hispano Suizas, Mercedes SL all just great, but I was itching to see the Rolls-Royces. We moved to Pavilion 2, and fi nally some proper motor cars: Spirits, Shadows and more, all beautifully restored and standing in above top: The door in the front gate to opens to Torre Loizaga the magnifi cent pavilion. I was impressed and thought this was a home to Europe’s largest 1910 - 1988 Rolls-Royce and Bentley great fi nd and we should be content with what we had seen. But, to collection. surrounding: several views of Pavilion No 3 of the museum with Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars stretching into the distance. below: On the right is one of the 1958 Regal Australian HJ Mulliner Silver Wraith Limousines (perhaps identifi ed as HLW50? - ed))

71047104 PRÆCLARVM 11-17-17 my surprise, more there was because we were just working from the latest models backwards, so on to Pavilion 3 we went. I was invited to start lifting the covers off, and the fi rst car was a Phantom IV, a Franco car, only one of 18, and then another Royal Wraith (yes, one of the Australian cars). On and on the cars went and we walked to Pavilion 4 (empty and minus roof) then to Pavilion 5, the biggest collection of Twenties, Ghosts, Phantoms and 25/30s. They just kept coming... Again I thought we had fi nished but Maria stated we are only half way through and would you like to see the Castle and state rooms. So into the castle and its state rooms; the décor was stunning and to add to this, yes, more cars! The fi rst car I had to blink and I thought, what is Denis Deasey’s Ghost doing here? Actually it was a twin to Denis’s car! We went on to pass more Ghosts, Twenty H.P.s, more staterooms and then fi nally the last car, a 1912 Ghost chassis 1997; on inspection I then noticed an RACV sticker and a Victorian registration label, then I read the story board, the car had been purchased from Victorian member, David Jones. After four hours the tour of the Castle had fi nished. We de- briefed with a few glasses of local wine by the pool in the grounds of the castle. Maria then told us the story of the castle. Her Uncle hadgrown up in the area and had always been fascinated with the site and the rubble and one wall of the 13th Century castle. As little boy he played in the rubble and dreamt that one day he would buy the site and re-build the castle and reinstate its grandeur. During his life he went from rags to riches, becoming a very successful business man and in his 50s he recreated the castle with a full time workforce of 1200 tradesmen. On its completion he fi lled the castle with Rolls- Royce cars and his art work as he was also a prolifi c artist. Simone and I are indebted to Maria and her generosity to open Torre Loizaga just for the day for us as it became the highlight of my 40th year association with Rolls-Royce. I must be one of the most fortunate of members having served a factory apprenticeship, owned over 12 ‘proper’ motor cars while I have been involved with the Club for over 25 years being involved with judging and organising some aboveabove top: GeoGeoffff ShepherdShepheh rdd didisdiscussescusses the cars with Jose the memorable events. museum’s mechanic Maria offered Torre Loizago and its collection, on behalf of the above and bottom: lounge relaxation and fi ne dining both require cars within reach! (below the body double to Denis Deasey’s Silver Trust, if our Club would like to visit it. She has asked that we may Ghost Doctor’s Coupé (122EU) be interested inviting our English and American Club brothers and below: one of the more modern cars, a Camargue sits between a members may wish to think about a visit/rally to Europe in 2018. It Silver Shadow II (r) and a Fixed Head Corniche (l). would visit Spain and perhaps, the UK, for the RREC Concours at Goodwood, then Antibe and the Villa Mimosa, as well as some other magnifi cent museums. I certainly would like to organise an event, and I would be interested if any other members would like to assist or have the appetite or ideas for such a tour. San Sebastian in the Basque country of Spain would be a great base, with some of the most beautiful beaches, tapas and wine and close to Torre Loizaga. Interested Members are welcome to contact me, email simone.geoff@y7mail. com or 0419-137-711 More details about Torre Loizago at www.torreloizaga. com.

PRÆCLARVM 11-17-17 771 71050055 Wealthy Widow Rolls-Royce Driver David Neely (NSW)

n extraordinary news snippet appeared in the 15 February 1917 issue of ‘Punch’, a AMelbourne publication, “A widow, who is on the highest rung of the social ladder, is blossoming out in the near future as a motor driver to timid and nervous women who are afraid of the male chauffeurs’ hair-breadth driving. The charge for her services will be a pretty high one; but the money is to go to a patriotic fund, so that’s the why and wherefore of the handsome widow taking charge of the steering-wheel. Her car is one of the most up-to-date of Rolls-Royce, and has the appointments that only wealthy widows can have.” While it was a Melbourne publication the item appeared under the heading: “In The Harbour City”. So my search for a wealthy widow with impeccable social standing and a suitable Rolls-Royce in 1917 led me to the Sydney Hordern family, who owned many Rolls-Royces. Mrs Hordern (nee Jane Maria Booth [1858-1945]) is associated with a 1913 Silver Ghost, chassis 2617, a Barker limousine, which arrived in mid-1914. Her husband, Samuel (b.1849), had died in 1909. They married in 1875 and one of their sons was Sir Samuel Hordern. Mrs Hordern was 59 in 1917 and while it might be doubtful that she would be accustomed to handling a car like 2617, many women were by this time accomplished drivers. Miss Marjorie Williamson, for example, drove 1912 Silver Ghost, 2142, from Sydney to Melbourne in March 1917. So Mrs Hordern may have been the wealthy widow, who planned to drive her 1913 Silver Ghost, in this unusual venture, which intended to raise funds for the war effort in 1917. above: A young Jane Booth, who married Samuel Hordern in 1875. Her father was John Booth [1831-1914], a Sydney Council Alderman 1895- 1902. [Photo: Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW].

left: This photo of the Barker limousine coachwork on 1913 Silver Ghost, chassis 2617, is from an article by Bert Ward in the December 1976 issue of PRÆCLARVM. Bert Ward wrote of 2617,”It was a beauty, painted a deep purple with black guards and all bronze fi ttings. It had artillery wheels, and was always kept polished like a mirror. The bronze radiator and wheel caps looked like gold.” [PRÆCLARVM 76-6 p206]

Sir Henry Royce Foundation Surplus Book and Magazine Sales

Over recent years the Foundation has received quite a number of - I feel I Should Plough Something Back by Henry Beran books and magazines which have been donated from deceased - Flying Lady 1951-65 (RROC Inc bound set) estates, or members wishing to reduce their libraries, and as - Rolls-Royce & Bentley Vol 3 1965-85 by Graham Robson a consequence we now have a number of duplicate copies of numerous books and magazines which we are able to offer to - Rolls-Royce & Bentley 1950-1965 by Road & Track members. Here is a list of currently available items: - Rolls-Royce & Bentley 1966-1984 by Road & Track - Those Elegant Rolls-Royces by Laurence Dalton - Twenty Silver Ghosts (small edition) by Melbourne Brindle - The Magic of a Name by David Pugh - Rolls-Royce 75 Years of Motoring Excellence by Edward Eves - The Rolls-Royce and Bentley Standard Productions 1945-65 by - Rolls-Royce and Bentley – The History of the Cars by Martin Graham Robson Bennett - Rolls-Royce to Wraith by Alec Harvey Bailey - Royal Rolls-Royces by Andrew Pastouna - The Best 599 Rolls-Royce Stories by Mike Fox and Steve - The Derby Bentleys by Alex Harvey-Bailey Smyth - Rolls-Royce – The Pursuit of Excellence by Alex Harvey-Bailey - Luxury Toys by Telenews In addition to these books we have duplicate copies of most of - The Classic Rolls-Royce by Georgano the following magazines; Præclarvm, RREC Bulletin, Flying Lady, - Rolls-Royce by George Fenn Pinnacle and Queste. We also have a few spare copies of Rolls- Royce and Bentley Sales Catalogues, Brochures and Service - Great Marques – Rolls Royce by Jonathan Wood Instructions. If you would like any of these please email Gilbert M - Quality is Timeless by Rolls-Royce Ralph, Sir Henry Royce Foundation, Hon Archivist, on archives@ - Motoring Memories by Harold Paynting roycefoundation.com.au for details and prices. 7106 PRÆCLARVM 1-17 The Rolls-Royce Tender James Stejskal, Virginia, USA

This article fi rst appeared in the Silver Ghost Association’s The Silver Ghost Tourer, edition of 1st Quarter 2016. It is reproduced here by the gracious approval of the outgoing editor, Mary White, the Silver Ghost Association and the author, James Stejskal. It is the third in a series about these iconic vehicles. James Stejskal served 23 years with the US Army and another 14 as a US Foreign Service diplomat, mostly in Africa, until his retirement in 2012. Given his background in military, intelligence, and international political and security affairs, following his retire- ment, he began to devote more time to historical research and quickly evolved into a military historian. He is the author of a number of articles on military history and confl ict archaeology, and holds a Master’s Degree in Military Studies and a Bachelor’s Degree in History. His fi rst book: The Horns of the Beast: The Swakop River and World War I in South-west Africa, 1914-1915 was published in August 2014. He is the current caretaker of a 1947 Bentley: The Black Adder Special and is in the process of restoring ‘26 CW’ a 1919, Rolls Royce Silver Ghost, Connaught Roadster, to its former glory.

n the 4th Quarter 2015 edition of the SGA “Tourer,” we discussed Ithe Rolls-Royce Armoured Car in detail. Now I would like to briefl y present its very important if less well-known companion: the Rolls- Royce Silver Ghost 40/50 HP Tender. In naval parlance, a tender is a support vessel and when the Royal Navy’s Armoured Car Service went ashore, its support vehicles or “tenders” were assigned to carry supplies, fuel, and personnel that could not be accommodated in the cramped battle wagons. Initially, Wolseley and Ford cars were used in the role, which suffi ced when distances were short and adequate roads existed. That said, 14 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps swore by their Crossleys and the Royal Field Artillery Motor Section needed their Talbot trucks to move the 10 pounder guns they used so effectively. Not everyone was a Rolls-Royce fan. above: Beasts of Burden - three tenders fully laden and an armoured In North Africa, however, neither Wolseley or Ford was well car ready for a mission. suited for combat, although they were used in other support roles. be joined by at least two other tenders, one called “Blue Mist” They could not keep pace with the Rolls-Royces on long missions (possibly 1512) which was an earlier 1908 (or 1911) Ghost and across the harsh terrain and often broke down, only to be towed another 1914 - possibly “Bloodhound” (44LB). After Lawrence was back to base by the armoured cars. The solution was found in the photographed arriving in Damascus as a passenger in “Blue Mist,” armoured cars themselves. Several cars from the Duke of West- it became the most well known of the cars. That said, “Blast” was minster’s RNAS Number 2 Squadron were stripped of their heavy his choice for operations. armour and fi tted with simple metal and wood coachwork and a With their rag-tag tribal forces, Lawrence and the other British bench seat (sometimes nothing more than a rudimentary chair advisors to the Arab Revolt realized that hit and run operations bolted to the fl oor). The rear of the vehicle consisted of an open against the rail system were a better course of action than trying bed with a tailgate that could be loaded with food, water, fuel, and to take on the Turkish Army directly. At fi rst, raids that exploited all manner of items necessary for combat operations. Even fully the Arabs’ knowledge of the desert and their fl eet-footed camels loaded, the tenders could maintain sixty to seventy miles an hour were used to good, if limited, effect. Then technology propelled across level desert terrain. them forward. With the arrival of machine guns, artillery, motor When the Hejaz Armoured Car Battery landed at Akaba in today’s vehicles and airplanes (manned mostly by Commonwealth soldiers), Jordan to serve with T.E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt, two of the the Arabs’ fi ghting capabilities were enhanced. ten cars had been re-bodied as tenders. The two were known as None of the tenders were identical. Their bodies were construct- “Blast” (57LB) and “Grey Knight” (chassis unknown). They would ed at the Ordnance Depot in Egypt and followed no plan, relying below: LC 341 - Hejaz Armoured Car Section. This is likely “Blast” instead on the workers’ ingenuity and the materials available. The (57LB) driven by S.C. Rolls. The “Broad Arrow” indicates the vehicle is army and shows its military below: LC 304, a tender with a top. This car shows it is Army with its registration number: “LC 341”. “Broad Arrow” mark on the bonnet in front of its number.

PRÆCLARVM 1-17 7107 above: “Blue Mist” arriving in Damascus with T.E.Lawrence as passenger in October 1918. The driver was identifi ed as Corporal J. McKechnie of the Army Service Corps (Coutesy of the Rolls-Royce Trust)

above: “Blue Mist” at Wadi Itm with artillery wheels in the rear and wire wheels in front. (IWM Q 59573) chassis retained the heavier springs of the armoured cars, as well as the double wheels on the back axle (the Hejaz armoured cars ran double wheels front and back). A wood cargo area was built above: An early parallel bonnet car that is almost certainly “Blue behind the driver’s area. At least one of the tenders was equipped Mist.” Shown early in the campaign (circa 1916) when it still was equipped with wooden artillery wheels. (Tank Museum, Bovington) with a folding fabric top and several had a door on the passenger side. Others were simply left open for ease (read: speed) of entry ations, picking up and running supplies from Akaba to the forward and exit. bases. This included the millions in Commonwealth of Australia gold sovereigns, off-loaded from British ships, used to pay the Despite being intended for logistics work, the cars were not rebel troops and maintain their loyalty to the leader of the revolt, defenseless. The driver kept a rifl e within easy reach in a scabbard Sharif Hussein and his son Emir Faisal, the commander of the Arab along with his issued pistol. A Vickers machine gun on a tripod Northern Army. The tenders were also used to evacuate the sick usually sat in the back bed of the car for additional fi repower. and wounded back to Akaba, including Turkish prisoners of war, The cars were the lifeline for the battery and Lawrence’s oper- below: Typical Hejaz railway bridge near Mudowwara in Jordan. It below: Purportedly taken by Lawrence himself, a photo showing a was destroyed in WWI and rebuilt in the 1960s for anticipated tourist Turkish repair crew fi xing a bridge south of Ma’an (in today’s Jordan) traffi c after the movie “Lawrence of Arabia” appeared. This portion of damaged by Arab rebels under Feisal. the line is now inactive.

7108 PRÆCLARVM 1-17 above: LC 356 “Columbine” in North Africa. The “anchor” device above: An unknown tender, probably in Egypt, with a Vickers machine shows it belongs to a Royal Navy Armoured Car Squadron, either the gun in the cargo bed Number 2 or the “Emergency Squadron.” Note the driver’s rifl e close They didn’t have much time to ponder their fate though, as rifl e at hand. bullets began to sing over their heads. The Turkish observation as they were the fastest and the most comfortable (under the posts had fi nally noted their presence and responded with gun fi re circumstances) transport available. from hundreds of yards away. It was time to make an escape. With But the Rolls’ most signifi cant job was raids on the railroad line. Lawrence gesturing wildly to the other cars, Rolls gunned his own The tenders carried the fuel, food, ammunition and explosives car and shot away into the desert, past the armoured cars that required to destroy the bridges, block houses and tracks of the were providing covering fi re for the withdrawal. Hejaz railway. The system was the Ottoman Turks’ main line of The tenders were the fastest of the battery’s cars, but all the communication between Damascus in the north and Medina in Rolls-Royces had similar traits: the reliability to get their cargo to the south, a distance of over 1,300 kilometers. They relied on it the target, a quiet engine useful for a silent approach, and the to keep their beleaguered forces in Mecca supplied and maintain horsepower to get out of the area when the job was done. their tenuous hold on the land between the two cities. Unlike the armoured cars, the tenders mostly disappeared The armoured cars could not carry the large amounts of gun from Britain’s military after the war. But, like the armoured cars, cotton or gelignite necessary to wreck miles of track, whereas the they proved themselves eminently capable of accomplishing the tenders could. Along with the explosives, wire and exploders, the unconventional task assigned to them in the Great War. Far from demolition experts rode in the tenders. While the armoured cars being “just” the best passenger car in the world, they were pretty secured the area, the tenders moved in close to the track to emplace good war machines as well. explosives and retreat out of the area before all hell broke loose. Lawrence said it best: “A Rolls in the desert is above rubies.” If Lawrence’s driver, S.C. Rolls (no relation to Charles), recounted he could have anything from the war, he said, it would be a Rolls a typical mission in his book Steel Chariots in the Desert. It did not with a lifetime supply of petrol and tires. end as peacefully as he hoped. His group was trying to destroy a long stretch of the rail line and after setting many blocks of gun Author’s Note: Identifying the chassis numbers of these cars cotton, Lawrence sent everyone back to the cars and began to has been facilitated, but not totally confi rmed, through John Fasal light the time fuses. Then he, too, ran back to “Blast,” which was & Bryon Goodman’s ‘The Edwardian Rolls-Royce’. theoretically now out of harm’s way behind an embankment. But, before he reached the car, the charges began to explode and a section of rail that had been cut by the explosion came hurtling out of the sky to land on the front seat where Lawrence usually sat. The nine-inch piece of steel embedded itself in the wood under the cushion. Both men saw the incident for what it was: testimony to the near misses and escapes they had experienced in the desert thus far. right: Remnants of Wadi Rutm Station - destroyed by Arab Rebels led by Lawrence. The station was attacked by camel-mounted cavalry, artillery, and Rolls-Royce armoured cars. below: Looking south from Ottoman Turkish fort above Ras al Naqb at Wadi Rutm in today’s Jordan. This fort was attacked by the Arab forces at the same time the station below was attacked.

PRÆCLARVM 1-17 7109 A Serendipitous Grou Rolls-Royce F Tim Dean,

ollowing the 2 previous editions of Præclarvm a Fforwarded to the Editor a small group of photog Ghosts as Armoured and Tender Fighting Cars. U clear yet as Ralph casually made contact with the National Swap Meet and his latest location will requ donated to the SHRF Archive and if anyone wishes the Foundation’s Archivist, Gilbert Ralph. No details of the photos are known, but the sign been taken between Baghdad and Ctesiphon, 30 k British and India Army force were defeated by the the British tried to take Baghdad to gain control of

below: A Rolls-Royce tender with a timber body and missing its engine hoods. The sign behind says (to the left) CTESIPHON and (to the right) BAGHDAD. Presumably this was taken in November 1915.

above: The forward view of the interior of an armoured cushioned, padded seat, the driver’s more substantial on Vickers machine gun in the turret. below: Operation in North Africa and the Middle East br above and below: The British often operated from central bases with good garaging most operations were undertaken in many varieties of ter facilities, using their fi ghting cars’ range and rapid speeds. Note the differing wheel types and tyre sizes and other individual differences on each car.

7110 PRÆCLARVM 1-17 up of Photographs of Fighting Cars Editor (VIC)

Victorian Member, Ralph Schmidt, whom we thank, raphs associated with the use of Rolls-Royce Silver nfortunately the back story of these photos is not original Owner of the photographs at the Bendigo ire some investigation. The photographs have been to explore them more please contact the Editor or n post in the photo to the left shows they may have km to its south, in Iraq. Here in November 1915 a Otoman Empire force in 2 days of hard fi ghting as the local oilfi elds.

below: A Rolls-Royce armoured car tests the depth of a water crossing before committing to

its depths

d car. Many details are clearly visible; the passenger’s 2 ne and many rounds of belt fed .303 ammunition for the rings to mind open miles of desert sands, where, in fact, rrain. above: With such heavy vehicles and roads in poor condition there was often a need to recover the Rolls-Royce cars, here an armoured car is to be towed back onto the track. below: Often cars were abandoned when they were not able to be recovered, such as this armoured car that has been left, stripped of all loose, useful materials.

PRÆCLARVM 1-17 7111 1950 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith - WHD101 Part III – 20 years on – getting serious and fi nishing the job Martin Bennett (ACT) year or so ago I was embarrassed Ato fi nd that in PRÆCLARVM 3-96 I had written “Part II – making a start”, dealing with the commencement of the restoration of my 1950 Silver Wraith WHD101. Embarrassed because after nearly two decades I still had not fi nished the restoration – and therefore hadn’t written Part III either! Although I offer no excuses, there are plausible explanations: the intervening, demanding ownership of another coachbuilt car, the building of a house and innumerable other calls on time and funds are given as contributory factors rather than excuses. If I were inclined to lapse into adages I might express the views that Rome wasn’t built in a day, that a stitch in time saves nine, that slow and steady wins the race, or that all’s well that ends well. But I’m not, so I won’t. Not that there was no work delivered in the silver & blue. Its interior, above: The colour catalogue picture of the on the car. There was quite a bit going on, Silver Wraith H.J. Mulliner touring limousine, like that of the ‘Showing the Flag’ car, was but the sale of the James Young Bentley depicted in its ‘signature’ colour scheme in 2013 meant that I was able to fund the in red leather. The H.J. Mulliner coachwork of silver & blue. The small home-market work on WHD101, which had become the records for WHD101 describe the colour bumpers and centre-lamp contrast with sole focus of my aims, despite various scheme as “silver & blue as Operation WHD101’s export features. temptations which included the possibility Inskip car”. engine overhaul at their Commercial Road, of acquiring WGC3, the actual car of the It is not known how long Mr Carroll kept South Yarra premises, along with other same coachwork style and colour scheme WHD101 but by the mid-1960s it was in mechanical work, but nothing appears to that I can trace my Rolls-Royce enthusiasm Kellows’ Russell Street showroom, still in have been done to address the by then back to. Having bungled that I become very good condition, offered for sale. I know rather shabby condition of the coachwork. much more serious about concentrating on that because I saw it there. To the best of This has fallen to me since I purchased fi nishing WHD101, so the pace of work was my knowledge, and according to Rolls- the car from Mr McDermott’s son Robert in signifi cantly stepped up. Royce & Bentley in the Sunburnt Country, 1994. To reiterate a little before dealing with the next owner was Melbourne taxi owner/ One of the main stumbling blocks to the reinvigorated restoration, Silver Wraith driver Jack Witham, who was a member of completing a restoration of this kind was chassis WHD101 emerged as a complete the R.R.O.C.A. (Victoria Branch). Having fi nding suitable craftsmen to complete work car from the premises of coachbuilder repainted it black (though still silver and that I couldn’t do myself such as coachwork H.J. Mulliner & Co., in the fashionable blue inside the doors) he used it as a taxi repairs, painting, and upholstery. An early west London ‘garden suburb’ of Bedford in Melbourne for three years, during which major task was carried out by my friend Park, Chiswick, in time to be tested by time it appears to have had rather a hard and fellow A.C.T. Branch member Bryce Rolls-Royce Ltd on October 12th, 1950. time, judging by the battering taken by Ronning who made some new hardwood Just over a month later it was shipped to the coachwork, particularly the lower rear structural members which restored the the customer, Edward Carroll of Edward quarters which showed unmistakable signs original rigidity of the coachwork. After Carroll Pty Ltd, St Kilda Road, Melbourne, of having been collided with and repaired that came several false starts and fi nding on SS Moreton Bay. The then Rolls-Royce & several times. After that there was a further somebody to complete the coachwork Bentley ‘special retailer’ for Victoria and the owner before it was acquired by another below: WHD101 was shipped to Australia, Southern Riverina was Kellow-Falkiner Pty Club member, the late Arthur McDermott of Melbourne, in 1972. It is believed that Mr departing London on 14th November 1950, Ltd of Melbourne. The H.J. Mulliner touring aboard SS Moreton Bay of the Aberdeen & limousine coachwork was illustrated in the McDermott had Kellow-Falkiner carry out an Commonwealth Line. brochures of the period in the silver over blue colour scheme in which the prototype of the body style, on chassis WTA69, fi rst appeared on the 1947 ‘Showing the Flag’ tour of North America. That export-drive exercise, code-named ‘Operation Inskip’ within the Company in honour of the New York importers J.S. Inskip Inc., enabled Rolls-Royce Ltd and coachbuilders to show off their wares with four Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith and three Bentley Mk VI cars. Perhaps Kellows promoted the ‘signature’ colour scheme for this body style, because WHD101 was the third of three that they

7112 PRÆCLARVM 1-17 to fading or discolouration. Matching the blue presented no problems and although there were preserved sections of the silver, it was more problematic: it was clear that modern boldly metallic fi nishes would not be suitable. Although the original silver was certainly metallic, it was a much more subtle fi nish than today’s metallics. These old fi nishes were sometimes described as ‘opalescent’, ‘jewelescent’ or ‘polychromatic’ in the jargon of the time. The solution lay in adopting a ‘micro-metallic’ fi nish which, as the term suggests, is much more subtly metallic than the fi nishes seen on today’s cars and I am happy that the appearance we were looking for was achieved in full. Choosing the interior upholstery materials was much more straightforward. Although the original leather had been recoloured in the mid-1960s, hidden areas of hide had escaped the recolouring process, repairs was resolved when another A.C.T. As mentioned earlier, some important and it was found that the original colour Branch member, Ludy Bobruk, offered coachwork structural timbers were made was able to be very closely matched from to take on that vital task, as well as by Bryce Ronning, himself the owner of a the Muirhead (Scottish) leather standard undercoating in readiness for painting. superb Silver Wraith, WFC67. That work range. Red carpet of the correct Wilton Unfortunately the actual colour-coating later came to include remaking the side weave was purchased and of course the would need to go elsewhere as Ludy and steps, or concealed running boards, of only replacement for the original grey West his son Jason, who operate the Real Steel which little had survived after decades of of England cloth headlining was new grey restoration business in Queanbeyan, were rust and wood-rot doing their worst. Bryce West of England cloth! A suitable interior then neither equipped nor staffed for that and I worked together on these, re-making trimmer was of course needed to carry work. However, circumstances have a way them from scratch just as they had been out the upholstery work to the required of changing, and Ludy soon informed me originally, with steel panels made by Ludy standard. By the time the paintwork was that the Real Steel business was moving into over our hardwood framing, with adherence completed some of the interior work had larger premises with a modern spray-booth to originality ensured by referring to dozens already been carried out, but the rear seat, and taking on a craftsman painter, so the of photographs which I had taken under a carpets, headlining and some detail work coachwork repairs and undercoating could similar car. still needed doing. Real Steel had by then progress seamlessly to colour-coating. All The guiding aim of the project from the moved into interior trimming and Daniel of the work there – panel repairs, priming, outset was to adhere as closely as possible achieved remarkably fi ne results. colour fi nishing and eventually even to how the car looked when it left H.J. Having started the interior woodwork interior trimming – were carried out to a Mulliner & Co. more than 65 years ago. repairs early in my ownership, I continued conspicuously high standard. In those days this coachbuilder tended the work with the help of our Branch Senior Vice-President Gos Cory who helped with above and below: It has been many a long to describe paint colours in vague terms year since WHD101 looked like this – in fact it rather than having very specifi c colour the actual spraying of the clear fi nish. was 1965, when it was painted black for three descriptions. As mentioned earlier, the H.J. Whilst I make no claims of perfection in the years of taxi work in Melbourne and never Mulliner build records for WHD101 described work I did personally, the result is pleasing restored to its original colours until now. It is the colours somewhat unhelpfully as “silver and the satisfaction to be had in carrying seen here in the workshop after Real Steel’s & blue”, so it came down to matching out any hands-on phase of a restoration is magic had been worked, with the truck taking the original colours of which some had considerable. The most potentially diffi cult it to Melbourne for Motorclassica only minutes part of restoring the woodwork was the away. fortunately survived in places not subject

PRÆCLARVM 1-17 7113 glove-box lid, the whereabouts of which had been unknown since Jack Witham removed it to fi t his taxi meter. Diffi cult for me but ‘a piece of cake’ for Bryce, who simply made a new one! If I hadn’t made this known, nobody would ever have suspected that it wasn’t the original. He didn’t merely cut it out of a single piece of wood, either, but carefully made it up in sections designed to eliminate warping and minimise exposed end-grain. He even veneered it with fl ame-pattern walnut just like the original, blending it beautifully with the surrounding original veneer. A replacement lock, being a standard ‘Yale’ item found on several Rolls-Royce & Bentley models, was easily obtained, but the distinctive chrome handle proved more elusive, so Bryce made an exquisite replica of that, too, which I would defy anybody to distinguish from a genuine H.J. Mulliner one! I only had half of each of the two glove-box hinges, the other halves presumably being attached to the lost original glove-box door. You guessed it: Bryce made new ones and again they are indistinguishable from originals. At one stage the rear seat squab was destroyed in a disastrous trimshop/house fi re in Sydney, which led me to wonder where I would be without the Rolls-Royce Owners’ Club and the camaraderie it engenders. Club people came out of the woodwork left, right and centre, from three Branches of the Club, very kindly offering genuine, practical help with this seemingly insurmountable problem, having heard within an amazingly short time through what is clearly a highly effective ‘grape- vine’. For that alone the annual subscription is wonderful value and I certainly do not begrudge paying it. Garry Scorgie kindly loaned me the rear seat squab from his H.J. Mulliner coachwork, which I collected from his home in Yass, and Bryce Ronning came to the rescue yet again, remaking the hardwood seat frame, working from Garry’s seat as a pattern, using doweled and glued construction exactly like the original. Andrew Gibson even rescued, literally from the ashes, the badly scorched but essentially intact folding centre armrest complete with its linkages and delivered it to me. The seat was then rebuilt and reupholstered by Daniel, Real Steel’s highly skilled trimmer, with new springs, etc., again working from Garry’s seat as a pattern and overcoming innumerable diffi culties. It was a wonderful solution, turning what at fi rst sight seemed an impossibly diffi cult setback right top and centre: The interior was restored with no departures from original. Rear seat passengers have the benefi t of a pair of picnic tables fl anking a cabinet with a radio speaker and a secret compartment containing a fl ask and a pair of shot glasses. Above that, in the division rail, is an ash-tray fl anked by an art deco style lighter and a cigar stubber. right: The bevelled-edge mirrors in the rear quarters are described in the H.J. Mulliner instruction booklet as ‘companions’. Above the rear window is concealed lighting operated by the switch in the side armrest above the division buttons. 7114 PRÆCLARVM 1-17 into a relatively minor one, particularly in light of the losses others suffered in the same fi re. One small point which I regard as vitally important and to which I adhere very strictly, is that as there were no Phillips-head screws in an early post-war Rolls-Royce car (nor obviously in a pre-war one) there shouldn’t be any in a restored one, either. Any Phillips-head screws that had crept in over the years were ruthlessly hunted down, even where they could not be seen after reassembly. Only traditional slotted- head screws were used for all replacements. Although they have become diffi cult to fi nd in Australia, they are still readily available in England and I have bought large quantities of high-quality brass woodscrews there, both in person and with the assistance of my good friend Richard Mann. These, along with some beautiful chrome screws that Richard gave me, allowed correct screws to be used throughout the restoration of the and I fi tted a new thermostat, fuel pump, above: H.J. Mulliner & Co. excelled in coachwork. For the chassis, engineering radiator core and some other assemblies coachwork styling throughout the 1930s to ‘60s period. A test of good styling is how good it fi xings with British threads such as BA, that needed to be replaced as part of the BSF and Whitworth were obtained from looks from the three-quarter rear aspect, and recommissioning process. I also rebuilt in the writer’s opinion this coachwork passes Lee Bros. of Parramatta, sometimes known the brake master cylinder and the front the test convincingly. Note the rectangular as ‘The Nut House’. Their extensive range wheel cylinders (the rears are of course Lucas lamps for the turn indicators. These have seldom disappoints, and includes slotted mechanical). Elwyn Bickley of Tablelands orange bulbs behind the clear glass and avoid ‘pan-head’ and ‘cheese-head’ screws, Engineering in Goulburn (famous for racing the use both of non-authentic light fi ttings and as well as both fl at- and raised-head cars) carried out a number of precision orange lenses. countersunk screws, and many other types engineering tasks on various aspects of the came around it still wasn’t really, completely of fastener with British threads found on car, including rebuilding the water pump. fi nished, and a few details needed to be the Rolls-Royce chassis. After that was refi tted, Gos Cory came ‘faked’ a little: for example the side-steps Another point is that although I regard round and started the engine for me, for were not fi nished (keep the doors closed), good fl ashing turn indicators as essential the fi rst time in over 20 years, its having the boot interior hadn’t been trimmed (don’t equipment, I have an aversion to additional defi ed my own attempts to do the same. open it) and some of the interior woodwork lamps with orange lenses on a pre-1955 Replacing the rear wheel bearings on a hadn’t been properly refi nished (keep the car. If lamps need to be added at all I precautionary basis is under consideration, windows closed and hope the paying public prefer them to be authentic: that is, of a too. I am also indebted to Neil McLean who won’t look too closely!). Also, a few bits and type used by Rolls-Royce during the period kindly provided replacements for some pieces were temporarily screwed back on of the car. WHD101 had been converted to hard-to-fi nd coachwork fi ttings and to in their unrestored state. Nevertheless it fl ashing indicators in the early 1960s, by Peter Anderson who supplied some chassis looked fabulous in the historic surroundings Kellow-Falkiner. The front of the car was components that needed to be replaced. of the Royal Exhibition Building, where I satisfactorily dealt with, but at the rear Once I began to take the restoration used to go to Motor Shows in the 1960s and they had fi tted additional plastic orange seriously the car gradually took on the judging by the comments I’m pretty sure I lamps that, frankly, were pretty hideous. appearance and ‘feel’ of how it must have got away with it! The end is now certainly My dissatisfaction with them led to their been when new, and I confess to being in view, the Motorclassica experience is removal in favour of a pair of handsome rather proud of that, and the satisfaction to behind me and the Federal Rally in Canberra Lucas lamps of a type found in the Silver be gained from carrying out hands-on work beckons.! Wraith parts book, having colourless glass is not to be under-estimated – even if it did lenses. With modern high-intensity orange take a couple of decades or so! below: Engine number W100D, which is in bulbs they show a good, strong fl ashing I had confi dently expected it to be most respects much as I found it. It runs orange light when operating, while avoiding well, so I’m keeping fi ngers crossed! Some completed by the end of 2015 and when any hint of orange at any other time. The tidying is in order but there will be no going that didn’t happen I was sure it would be ‘frosted’ type orange bulbs are even more overboard on this. ready in time for the inconspicuous behind clear glass. The bulb- Bendigo Federal Rally, holder needed a simple modifi cation to which I attended with accommodate the offset pins of the modern Bryce and Gos in their orange bulb. The indicators are worked cars! As completion by the original ‘Scintilla’ timer switch that grew nearer I received originally worked the semaphore indicators, an invitation to exhibit which remain in place though disconnected. the car at Motorclassica Because many mechanical aspects of in Melbourne. This the car appear to have been well attended panicked me a little to before I acquired it, there was not a as it was still far from great deal of mechanical work to do (says fi nished, and I toyed with he, while touching wood!). Garrath Will the idea of turning down at TK Motors machined and relined the such an attractive offer, crankshaft vibration damper, while Club but it’s amazing how a member David Thurlow supervised and deadline concentrates assisted with its removal and re-installation, the mind! When the day PRÆCLARVM 1-17 7115 My ‘Journey’ with a Turbo R - BRK25143 Roland Sharman (SA)

have owned many Bentleys before With a very cooperative seller who indicating a major C service was done I moving to Australia. They ranged not only answered 120 questions but shortly before it was sold. from “Chinese eye” convertibles in my also had the car on a hoist and sent On Wednesday‎, 18 ‎November‎ ‎2009 twenties, through to an Azure, which me the 22 specifi c photos I requested. ‎my Wedgwood Blue Turbo R was sitting I sold prior to leaving California for All was good and a price of £9,000 was in my driveway, behind the EIGHT, at a Adelaide in 1999. I had thought to agreed upon. total cost of $28,272.09! purchase a replacement when I arrived And here begins the journey, a At this point I should mention that I here but at 5 times the price I did not. journey that would not have been am a bit OCD about my cars. This starts Instead I settled into a boring period of possible without Flying Spares and the with all items fundamental to safety motoring until in 2006 when I purchased excellent work by Sam at Payneham such as tyres, brakes, suspension and a nice Bentley Eight (BEJ24517). Motors in Adelaide. drivetrain need to be working and/or in With three years of pleasant and On that date the car had an indicated good condition. So in the fi rst week it enjoyable daily use I had truly got back 70,802 miles (113,944 km) and, at had all these checked and, as expected, into the habit, so I started to look for time of writing, it has now travelled all were OK. something a bit better. In July of 2009 I 117,904 miles (189,749 km) with a lot I have had bad experiences with found a 1989 model Turbo R advertised happening inbetween. transmission failures in remote places on eBay in the UK. Several things The car I received was exactly as so I immediately had the transmission struck me, one was the very unusual described, in very good condition both completely rebuilt by Jason of TranSteer. and attractive colour while the other cosmetically and mechanically. By Jason’s background as a builder of race was that the vendor did not mention anyone’s standards it was an excellent winning transmissions means that the it was a Turbo R nor did he seem to car for its age. It was virtually rust free car now has a ‘bulletproof’ gearbox. appreciate its possible value. and came with full service records, Over the ensuing years much has been done to the car to make it a reliable daily driver with technological, performance and cosmetic enhancements. I have added some Contemporary technology that was not available at the time the car was built. All such additions were installed without modifying any part of the vehicle to accommodate them. Additions are: rain sensor to control the wipers, light sensor to control headlights lights, HUD (Heads Up Display) for speedo and Hella LED always-on driving lights mounted below above: The front view of the 1989 Bentley Turbo R after it refurbishment.. left: Wednesday, 18th November, 2009, the Turbo R stands behind the author’s Bentley Eight in their driveway, 7116 PRÆCLARVM 1-17 the front bumper. A new entertainment centre with fold-out screen, reversing camera, Bluetooth, hands- free etc. was installed to replace the original Blaupunkt radio/cd player.

PERFORMANCE CHANGES:

1. The fi rst change was to remove the dual-pipe, multi-muffl er COSMETIC system and replace it with a new, WORK: custom built, all stainless exhaust. The factory exhaust goes from 1. The major a single 3½ inch manifold into a item undertaken dual 1½ inch system with multiple was a complete silencers. The new custom built bare metal exhaust is crafted from 3½ inch repaint in March stainless steel pipe with two in-line 2016. Now, minor stainless steel catalytic convertors rust issues, of terminating with a single Dynamax which there muffl er. The muffl er becomes were very few, straight-through under exhaust were addressed pressure, the harder you go, the by completely less restriction there is. cutting out the 2. Addition of Residual Boost area around the Kit. Normal turbo operation is at 6 rust and welding PSI. The addition of the Residual in a new section Boost Kit, which is linked to the of steel. This then kick-down, provides very quick blended into the turbo boost at 9 PSI for one second, panel with lead. 8 PSI for one second, 7 PSI for one 2. There was second and then it resolves to the quite a lot of rot standard 6PSI. on the right lower 3. The modifi ed transmission. corner of the rear The combination of these three screen, the area performance tweaks has resulted was cut out and in a substantial increase in power new steel fabricated to fi t. Again, which is very evident if comparing with a laser cut stainless steel this was lead fi lled for a fi ne fi t and this to an unmodifi ed Turbo R. We honeycomb grille. A ‘fl ying B’ was fi nish. have also recorded sub-six second added to the radiator surround. 3. A new windscreen and a zero to one hundred times. The headlights were replaced with new rear screen were fi tted with fl at crystal lens tribar lights and new rubbers. New rubber gaskets the headlamp surround was colour above upper: A view of the heads-up dis- for the mirrors and new rubber matched to the car. play now fi tted to the Turbo R mouldings on the doors and 5. Although the interior of above lower: The replaced interior of the around the side windows were also the car was in exceptionally good Turbo R with parchment interior with blue installed. Inside the rear doors the condition I took the opportunity piping to match the exterior. window support levers were rotted to acquire all the seats and centre below: In 2016 the full respray of the to nothing and were replaced. console from a 1997 Brooklands car utilised lead loading where rust was 4. At the front of the car the which were a total colour match. removed’.. vertical slat grille was replaced The Brooklands had very low mileage so the seats were like new. The new seats supply lumbar and lower back adjustable air cushions and heating. The console substitutes the individual armrests for a better, shared centre armrest and lots of storage. 6. I was very lucky to be able to purchase a rare factory original wood rimmed steering wheel. 7. The lamb’s wool over rugs are replaced as needed and always in very good condition. 8. The wheels are 5 spoke 17 inch alloys which were polished then copper-plated prior to being chrome plated.

PRÆCLARVM 1-17 7117 MECHANICAL:

The only major moving part not replaced is the differential. At 115,201 miles, the engine was replaced with a Bentley factory rebuild. While replacing the engine all mountings and sub-frame mounts were replaced. The total count of parts replaced is 286, of which 95% was supplied by Flying Spares, at a cost of $41,739 excluding labour. Starting from the front of the car the main items are: Radiator, Water pump, Compressor, Alternator, all belts, steering rack, brake accumulators, brake pads, brake rotors, brake calipers, front outer wheel bushes, shock absorbers, ball joints, compliant mounts, lower triangle lever bush, track rods, exhaust system, anti-roll bar, all bushings, all things metalastic, fuel pump, fuel pump fi lter, rear brake pads, rear brake rotors, rear brake calipers, rear gas spring and seal, Gator Lobro shaft in and out and a new battery.

SUMMARY:

I own a vehicle that provides me with infi nite pleasure. It is very pleasing on the eye and much admired by strangers. It is safe and reliable. It is very fast when I want, it rumbles discreetly when masquerading as a boulevard cruiser and grumbles and roars when pushed. It is very comfortable in a manner not achieved in new cars and it has an aroma of fi ne leather. If I have a back-ache and drive for an hour or so the seats are so good that the back- ache will have gone. Regarding the seats, I met with a Bentley employee this year who described how back in the late eighties he made each seat individually from the ground up the same way as you would make a luxury sofa. After a lot of time and money my result is a Bentley Turbo R that is close to a new car (dare I say it might be quicker than when new). I drive the car every day and every time it gives me pleasure, not a car that one gets bored with.

right top: The optional walnut factory door inserts and steering wheel set off the interior. right centre: The Bentley factory rebuilt engine being uncrated before installation into the Turbo R. right: The Author’s 1989 Bentley Turbo R (BRK25143 following its total refurbishment. 7118 PRÆCLARVM 1-17 59th Federal Rally Rolls-Royce Owners’ Club of Australia CelebraƟ ng Our NaƟ onal Heritage Canberra 15-20 March 2017 Federal Rally 2017 - Final pre-Rally Report Hello and Happy New Year to all from Canberra. As we get closer to the Federal Rally, there are some matters we wish to draw to the attention of those attending this major national event. • At the time of going to press, there are still rooms at Rally HQ, Rydges. But don’t delay!! • We would still welcome offers of more pre-War cars for the Dawn Patrol. This year it is a spectacular location for the breakfast. • Please do not forget to send a photo of your car for the Rally Program direct to Martin Bennett on [email protected] • Circumstances have required us to relocate the Final Dinner and we are delighted that we have been able to secure the main foyer of the fabulous National Museum of Australia. • The NSW Branch is managing the Swap / Sale table for the SHRF. If you intend placing any items on the stall, or for information on the stall, please contact Bob Roberts: 0407 002 350. • If you can assist with judging please contact Kim Stapleton on (02) 93986949 • The Public Display. If you can assist as a marshal pls email Al Kinloch at [email protected] • The Farewell Breakfast is open from 7 am to 9.30 am at Sutton. Just come as it suits you. • Rally HQ Offi ce Hours at Rydges will be posted on the Rally Offi ce glass door along to the left as you pass by reception. Sorry, there are no Eftpos facilities at the Rally Offi ce. • If we can help with any problems you have en-route, please call Ian Irwin 0413 582 687 • Rally Seminars: Register name on relevant sheet when you register in at the Rally HQ. Friday 17 March 2017: 3pm to 4 pm: Conservation / Preservation / Restoration? Presenter Ms Laura Kennedy, Head Conservator, Australian War Memorial. Saturday 18 March 2017: 10am to 11 am: Treasures of The Sir Henry Royce Foundation. A Hands-on Seminar. Speaker: Russell Rolls, Chairman of the SHRF. Saturday 18 March 2017: 3pm to 4 pm: The Fabulous Phantom III. Part 1. Tested to Destruction. Part 2. Infamous Owners and Their Cars. Presenter: Steve Stuckey. The acknowledged World Expert on the Phantom III cars. Secure your bookings at the Rally Offi ce. • The Public Display Day will be on the Patrick White Lawns. National Capital Authority permission grant- ed for Rally participants and invited cars. All unauthorised vehicles on the site will be subject to ACT Government Parking fi nes. It has hurt many before this! Be warned. Non-transferable NCA stickers must be fi tted to windscreens of all authorised display vehicles. • Cars on the Public Display must have a drip tray. Be warned. Fines apply. We are supplying drip trays to cars registered for the Rally. • Final date for entries is 28 February. Entries may be accepted after that date, but cannot be guaranteed access to all events of the entrant’s choice. • Entry Forms were in the Nov-Dec PRÆCLARVM or email [email protected] ACCOMMODATION BOOKINGS We have reserved accommodation at Rydges Capital Hill, 17 Canberra Avenue, Forrest, ACT, (Rally Headquarters), but it is fi lling rapidly! To get our specially arranged rates, please note: •A diversity of rooms is available and bookings may be made directly at: http://www.rydges.com/customised-web-page/rolls-royce-owners-club-of-australia/ (or www.rydges.com and put rolls in the search box) •or alternatively call Rydges on 02 6295 3144 •our booking code is 1703ROLLSR

PRÆCLARVM 1-17 7119 News from the Registers

Twenty Topics No. 66

100 years since the Battle of Jutland in WWI he Centenary of the Battle of TJutland last year has thrown up all sorts of surprising information. The 2016 Autumn edition of “This England” has a report about the adventures of Albie Smith who was personal steward and valet to the Captain of the HMS Caroline. He had transferred from the Merchant Navy in 1915. The Caroline was at the Battle and surprisingly is the only vessel from that engagement, still afloat and presently moored in Belfast. The Caroline involvement at Jutland acquired from the Family by Rolls-Royce above: Twenty 40G9 taken on the HMS was its first engagement and its speed in 1948. He also owned chassis 1647 Hood’s 1924 Tour in Ceylon. No doubt the ensured that it was early on the scene. which was a Mulliner Saloon which had person in the rear is Albie remembered seeing the HMS enormous Palmer Cord tyres. There is a Rear Admiral CTM. Fuller . Invincible blow up and sink with nearly photo of both cars outside his country a yellow brick, rambling, free Jacobean all hands. The sky was thick with vast home, Castle Malwood, on page 409 of style house with large acreage, in 1910. clouds of smoke which blocked out the the Edwardian Rolls-Royce by Fasal and It was used as a children’s refuge during sun. Goodman. World War II. Albie was employed there as well at nearby Minstead Village Following the War, Albie returned Daniel Hanbury was a Director of Allen Hall where thousands of soldiers were to the Merchant Navy. During the and Hanbury which made pharmaceutical billeted during the War, probably prior Depression life became difficult for products. It was founded in 1715 and to the D Day invasion. The Hanbury merchant seaman but Albie was was conducted from the mid-19th Family went on several Continental trips fortunate to secure a position as Cook/ century by the Quaker Hanbury Family, in both AX201 and 1647 but it is not Steward on the Steam Yacht Mandolin until acquired by Glaxo Laboratories known if Albie accompanied them. No which was a twin-screw schooner of in 1958. Its products included infants’ doubt, the trips were arduous for the 118 tons built in 1923. He was working foods, surgical instruments and health cars due to the roads in those days. on the Yacht when it took part in King foods. It launched Ventolin in 1968 and George V’s Jubilee Review of the Fleet the Allen and Hanbury business name 1647 was ultimately converted to a at Spithead in 1935 and no doubt when was phased out in 2013. Quakers had a hearse. Albie died on 25th April 1977 the yacht formed part of the Coronation reputation of business competence and aged 87. Daniel Hanbury died in 1947. Review of the Fleet in May 1937. other companies started by them include The fate of the Mandolin is not known The Mandolin was owned by Daniel Lloyd’s Bank, Barclay’s Bank, Friends but no doubt it took part in World War Hanbury, who bought AX201, The Provident, Cadbury’s and Rowntree. II. Silver Ghost, in 1908 and which was re- Daniel Hanbury bought Castle Malwood, 40G9 and HMS Hood in WWII Naval associations remind one of Registrars the 1924 World Tour of the HMS Hood which suffered a similar fate to the Bryan Inder, 7 Pibrac Avenue, Tel: 02-9487-4153 Invincible as a result of a shell from Registrar, Warrawee Fax: 02-9489-8323 the Bismark. During the 1924 World Silver Ghost Register NSW, 2074 [email protected] Tour, the Hood carried Twenty, 40G9, Peter Jordan-Hill, PO Box 54, Tel: 0412 204 321 with driver for the use of the Admiral, Registrar, Kalista, [email protected] during the voyage. There are photos of Small Horsepower Register Vic 3791 it in various locations including Sydney Frank Carroll, P.O. Box 6007, Tel: 07-5446-6881 and Colombo which lead many on a Registrar, Upper Mt Gravatt, Fax: 07-3343-4299 merry dance as to how it got to those Derby Phantom Register QLD, 4122 [email protected] places until its carriage on the Hood was established. There is a photo of Mal Henderson, PO Box 150 Tel: 02-9542-8401 the Hood in the American Publication Registrar, Caringbah, [email protected] “The Living Legend” which reproduces Derby Bentley Register NSW, 1495 English and Springfield Rolls-Royce John Harriman, Registrar, 5 Moor Street, Tel: 03-9598-6702 publicity material and the car can Silver Wraith, Silver Dawn, Sandringham, [email protected] be seen on the deck of the Hood, Bentley MkVI and R-Type VIC, 3191 amidships. I found a photo of it being Register loaded onto the ship at Singapore by a steam crane. The quality of the photo Geoff Down, PO Box 18183 Tel: 03-9415-6760 Registrar, Collins St East [email protected] is terrible but the car can be made out Silver Cloud, Bentley S Series, Melbourne against the sky background. On the Phantom V and VI Register VIC, 8003 return of the Hood to Plymouth the car was sold to H.G. Gosling in December Bill Coburn, Registrar, PO Box 1775 Tel: 02-6161-7316 1924 and to S.S. Lamert in July 1935. It Silver Shadow, Bentley T Fyshwick Fax: 02-6296-5892 has disappeared so is presumed to have Series and Derivatives Register ACT, 2609 [email protected] been scrapped. Bruce Duncan, Registrar, 5 Fadden Place, Tel: 02 9487 3095 Its chassis cards are interesting, its Silver Spirit, Bentley Mulsanne Wahroona [email protected] works number was listed as no.22 on and Related Types (SMART) NSW, 2076 the Chassis Cards but is listed as no. 6 Register in the Depot Sheets, it was dispatched 7120 PRÆCLARVM 1-17 News from the Registers from Derby on 3/10/1922 , fitted with a Barker open tourer “ex dummy” 20HP Speeds in Gear showing Overdrive Increases with a 14x60 rear axle ratio which was Four Speed Three speed the higher ratio originally specified by 11/50 axle 13/60 axle Royce, so it would have been a good driver. The early Twentys had a similar Gear MPH at 2000rpm Gear MPH at 2000rpm performance to AX201. Most Twentys 111113 were fitted with 11x50 axles because of 218225 the heavy bodies fitted, which spoiled the 3 speed gear box ratios. My own car 3 28 2 od 30 was originally fitted with a 13x60 axle which would have been hopeless, as the 3 od 33 3 41 car stopped on hill-starts between first 4 42 3 od 49 and second gear with the later fitted 11 4 od 50 x 50 axle. Its replacement by a 4:1 ratio has made the car much more drivable pictures of 1997 illustrate what he was above: The table above shows the and is very close to the ratio fitted to talking about and show the contemporary estimated speed at 2000 RPM for 4 and 40G9. I am sure that the low rear axle high sided style with scuttle and set 3 speed cars with the ‘od’ gear speeds generally fitted was the cause of lack back screen, providing better protection inserted into the list of standard gear speeds. of interest in the early Twentys leading from bad weather. One can appreciate to many being scrapped, particularly in the natural progression from the style from second overdrive to normal top England. The gear box of the 4 speed of 1997 to a tapered bonnet and flush gear is 11 MPH. This gives a very neat cars introduced in 1925 was designed sided tourer which one associates with intermediary step between second and for the 11x50 axle so did not have the post WWI, indeed as in the picture of third gear and transforms the car’s ability mismatch of the earlier cars. Even so, 2009 on the top of page 7032. Ian Irwin’s climbing any sort of hill where second is overdrives are popular for highway Book, The Silver Ghosts of Australia and too low and top is a slog at 20 MPH in cruising. New Zealand relates that the body in the top gear Local 20 Activities picture was built by Floods in 1919 and This advantage is transformational in Nigel Steele Scott is making good that a tapered bonnet was fitted. By the a three speed and it looks as if it would progress with 53S7 which he bought time the Twenty was announced tourer be pretty useful in a four-speed as well at auction not so long ago. (see Nigel’s bodywork had developed more elegance although the difference between third article on 20HP Overdrives following including the Barker barrel-sided style and top is not as large as the difference this article - Ed) It will be great to see it fitted to 40G9 and which is so popular between second and top in a three on the road after a very long absence. today. Closed cars of the Edwardian speed. The end result is a lovely close Geoff Harrison, after fitting an overdrive period and later were more conservative ratio gearbox with a much better ratio to GPK42, the first 4 wheel braker to as illustrated by the picture of 2009 on between each gear. page 7031. By way of comparison with arrive in Australia, is having all the My three speed car is very comfortable 1997 on page 7029, the Lanchester, with brightwork replated before sending the at around 1800 to 2000 RPM and certainly its short bonnet, high wheels and guards car to be re-upholstered and repainted can be pushed on to much higher revs looks unbelievably old fashioned even which will complete a long personal but it is easy to feel that everything is though the bodywork is high sided. restoration. The first 4 wheel braker to working much harder. The peace and be sold is GPK1 has been brought to Rolls–Royce Advertisement, The quiet of an overdrive with a 20 running at Australia. Bob Clarke has seen it and Motor, 30th October, 1925 40 to 45 MPH (provided there are no hills says that its performance is remarkable, Concerning the new 20 H.P. Rolls- or head winds) is wonderful. for a Twenty. Royce: “My new 20H.P. Rolls is the first on Nigel Steele Scott (SA) 42G7, 53S7 Clare and I drove to Albury and back the road in New South Wales. She floats in the Twenty during the Spring. On the so comfortably and with such effortless way back a motor cyclist commented ease over our miss-called highways that Silver Ghost Register that it went well for a vintage car. He one begins to think you have discovered alleged that we were almost doing 100 the ultimate secret of the perfect car”. Recognising 110 years of KPH but my GPS Speedo said that the David Davis (NSW) 42G1 the Silver Ghost maximum speed we achieved was just on 80 and that was downhill! David n the 20th November 2016 we Berthon commented that there must Overdrives on a 20 HP Ocelebrated the release in 1906 of the new model 40/50 h.p. Rolls-Royce one have been a tail wind! I can report that n the April 2016 edition of Præclarvm, hundred and ten years ago. It is now moving the fan closer to the radiator David Davis discussed the pros and I time to commemorate the achievements so as to match that of later cars has cons of overdrives on the 20 HP cars of the twelfth 40/50 h.p. model, chassis produced a remarkable reduction in and concluded there was not much to be #60551, produced one hundred and engine temperature on the highway. gained on four-speed cars. As I have since ten years ago. This vehicle was taken Clearly more air is being pulled through discussed with him I think he missed the by Claude Johnson in April 1907, fi tted the core than before. most important benefi t of an overdrive with a Barker open tourer body and Body Styles in Early Cars which comes into play on a three speed painted in silver with silver-plated fi ttings car. That is the gap between second and PRÆCLARVM no 5-16 on page 7029 and named the “The Silver Ghost” with top in a three speed. and 7030 has 2 photos which I found registration number “AX 201”. of interest. If one carefully looks at the Most overdrives give around a 20-23% In April 1907 Claude Johnson then photos of 1997 (1912) one can see that decrease in revolutions for the same road did what he did best, and embarked the mudguards are domed. The photo at speed. If you look at the table above you on a publicity campaign, in the Silver the top of page 7030 shows the domed will see that in a three speed without an Ghost, fi rstly taking journalists on trial guards more clearly. The electric lights overdrive, there is a speed differential runs. Then in May he took part in the can also be seen. I remember Bert Ward between second and third gear of 16 MPH Scottish Reliability Trial, a two thousand commenting to me on that very topic (speeds estimated with the engine at 2000 mile run under supervision from the now years ago. He maintained that many RPM). With an overdrive the ratio between “Royal” Automobile Club, winning a gold restorations were too old fashioned. The second to second overdrive 5 MPH and PRÆCLARVM 1-17 7121 News from the Registers

left: “The Silver Ghost”, AX201 Chassis 60551” left lower: the engine of “The Silver Ghost” vehicles have benefi ted from this remarkable reputation and this continues today. There were 6173 40/50 h.p. model Silver Ghosts built in the United Kingdom between 1906-1925 and 1703 Springfi eld Silver Ghosts built in America between 1921-1926. I estimate there are 850 UK and 260 Springfi eld built Silver Ghosts still in existence, on the roads, in museums and under restoration today. Our Register motto is ‘to keep the Silver Ghosts running and on the roads’. In March 2017 all roads lead to Canberra for our 59th Federal Rally. As always it will be a great time to meet and I encourage all Silver Ghost custodians to get behind the wheel of their vehicle and set the destination -- ‘Canberra’. Bryan Inder (NSW) 12HG

Derby Phantom Register

Displaying Your Cars History n my Register report in the October Iedition of PRÆCLARVM (edition 5-16, p7051) I lamented that we sometimes miss the opportunity to give others the full details of our cars, both to members of our Club and to the general public, at events like MotorClassica. This is especially true where custodians go to such trouble to restore and present cars, but don’t tell observers much about the product, or the pain, that may have been involved. In response to this I received an email medal. The car then commenced a run found in the engine or gear box. To bring from a Victoria Member, Alan Dyer, who under scrutiny which would cover fi fteen the car to as new condition, two pounds two enclosed his recently sold car’s information thousand miles. The car was driven day shillings and seven pence was spent on new sheet (1975 Silver Shadow SRH22107 - and night [except Sunday] on a round parts, although the parts replaced could see next page), which gives much of the route between London and Edinburgh via have lasted longer. The Royal Automobile feel of what a complete and informative Glasgow until fi fteen thousand miles had Club costed the running of a Rolls-Royce sheet might look like. Thank you Alan. been covered. This entailed twenty seven at four and a half pence per mile including Frank Carroll (QLD) 39LF round trips and took place between the tyres making it a very economical means 21st June and the 8th August 1907. The of transport. The ‘Silver Ghost’ was sold by only involuntary stop occurred when the the company in July 1908 and repurchased petrol tap vibrated shut causing a minutes by the company in 1948. This car has had Derby Bentley Register delay at the 629th mile. The non-stop several restorations and is still in active distance set by the Silver Ghost was 14371 use. It is a priceless asset and an important miles [629 + 14371 = 15000 miles]. part of British motoring history.” [The Silver nother year without a Derby event in The car was followed by another 40/50 Ghost, Chassis #60551, AX 201 is now in AAustralia. h.p. model carrying reporters, after the the custodianship of Bentley Motors Ltd If anyone has any ideas or suggestions previous record of 7089 miles completed and on loan to a local heritage museum I am happy to hear from you and assist in a Siddeley, had been broken. collection.] with getting something happening. On completion of the fi fteen thousand Achieving these results in 1907 ‘The Anyone seeking parts, I am happy to miles the car was driven to a Royal Silver Ghost’ earned the 40/50 h.p. model promote your request or on the other part Automobile Club garage. The car was the reputation of “The Best Car in the anyone with bits to sell, I am happy to stripped and no measurable wear was World”. All our Rolls-Royce and Bentley promote that as well. 7122 PRÆCLARVM 1-17 News from the Registers Our Derby’s had a few trips, the 4.25 attended the overlander to Bendigo and of course the excellent Federal rally that Victoria hosted. The only issue of concern was that the fuse on the ignition circuit blew occasionally/ intermittently and we drifted to a quiet stop each time. Replacing the fuse solved the problem for a while. As a temporary measure we hardwired the coil from the fuel pump feed (keeping a fuse in the line) and thus had no further issues on the return from Bendigo to the Southern Highlands. We have replaced most of the wire feeding the coil but haven’t driven far enough (since) to know if the problem has been resolved. This sort of fault is probably one of the most diffi cult to identify, as you cannot be certain if the problem has been removed, until it fails again. I have left the temporary feed in place in the engine bay ready to connect if the problem arises. The 3.5 took a couple of trips. The fi rst to the Dawn Patrol in Wagga Wagga, where the Bruce Duncan-organised rally went off very well. No issues with the car and it participated in most of the drives over the weekend. The second trip was the Wild Rivers run. The rally was part of the NSW Club 60th Anniversary and was very well organised by Bob Adby and Michael Jeanes. They did a great job (plenty of food) and there was a good range of cars, starting with 3 Ghosts. Ours was the only other Pre-war car. We traveled from the Highlands to Coffs Harbour and then up through New England as far as Dorrigo and back. The car performed well with no issues. One always travels with some above: Alan Dyer’s Information Sheet for his 1975 Silver Shadow trepidation in a car over 80 years old. (SRH22107.” below: Mal Henderson’s Bentley 3½ lt Park Ward Drophead I lost the headlight covers for the cars prior to Wild Rivers run, Coupé (B11EJ) taken in front of the main entry to the stately and couldn’t get replacements covers in time. I discovered that lids home “Langford” near Walcha. from 20 litre paint tins are the same size as the P80 lights, so with some gaffer tape holding the lids in place the lenses were protected. (See photo below). We don’t record the distances because we believe the cars are for driving and enjoying. We did rack up quite a few miles with very little by way of diffi culties. Mal Henderson (NSW) B111EJ, B201HM

below: Mal Henderson found the plastic lids from a 20 lt paint can as the ideal stand-in headlight protectors to be a very good fi t.

PRÆCLARVM 1-17 7123 News from the Registers

the Show and on the last day she was Small Horsepower Register Silver Wraith, Silver Dawn sold to a Western District farmer. Next and Bentley Mark VI/R Type day, Monday she was insured and registered to be handed over. On the earl (WRB60) being a grand lady, (my Register 18th May her registration is due and Pmistress) she needs a Tiara (Mascot) the number issued was PZ666. She for every occasion. When Pearl does not has been continuously registered ever want to standout in a crowd she wears The Early Post War Register since and still has the original plates. the “Fairy Tiara” up front, the Americans A Rising Dawn The Silver Dawn is a re-branded call it the Flying Lady (how common) and t was probably very cold outside as Bentley Mk 6 with a few differences the English call it the Spirit of Ecstasy Imy “Harriet” (my Silver Dawn, SBA74) apart from the obvious. (defi nitely not PC). When Pearl is in a sexy underwent the fi nal stages of assembly Almost 4 years of austerity had mood she wears the “Persephone Tiara” at Crewe. After a short Christmas break passed since the end of the war, but (Goddess of Spring), in a regal mood the the Factory returned to life with many life was gradually improving. The “St George and the Dragon Tiara”, in a orders, and Australia was the most fl aunting of wealth was not thought patriotic mood the “Kangaroo Tiara”. What important export market at this time. to be the right thing to do in the will she ask for on her next birthday? She And the Silver Dawn, initially destined immediate post-war era of deprivation, has already had her portrait painted. for export only, was the fi rst model but maybe a sporty Bentley would be Peter Jordan-Hill (VIC) Rolls-Royce motor car the Company OK. More than that, it was a success, GYD29, GNS60, WRB60, 56MC. had completed entirely in house. even though some critics thought the The fi rst series had just started it’s design rather too old fashioned at run, and this was the Xmas of 1949. the time, except for one market; the Harriet’s story begins in early North American one. They all knew the November, the 8th to be exact. Rolls- Rolls-Royce name, but not the Bentley. Royce has received the order from the Rolls-Royce could now test that market Melbourne Agents: Kellow-Falkiner Pty with the new Silver Dawn. The Silver Ltd for the new Silver Dawn. It has Dawn had Arrived. The fi rst of the dual grey paintwork with blue and line of complete company cars that silver lines, blue hide upholstery with continues to this day. dark blue piping, blue carpet and grey It was a catalyst for change too. It headlining. It is noted that it is to be placed another nail in the coffi n for the used in Australia. Perhaps Kellows had dwindling fi rms of Motor bodybuilders standing instructions for all the cars they that had survived the War. The imported, so they had special bumpers, standard of the fi nished product by heavy-duty springs and settings, dust- Rolls-Royce was very high, particularly proofi ng and oil-bath air cleaners (eight the trimming, and probably too high guinea extra), among other things. even for the best of the trimmers of She was delivered to Rolls-Royce Lillie the day. Within 10 years most of the Hall London on 24th January 1950. I main bodybuilders had ceased trading believe this is where the export cars or been taken over. are crated up, for in 2 days she was Other changes also handed over handed over to the Shippers, and on the driving to the owner and Rolls- the 11th February 1950 she sailed out Royce products were notably praised of London to Melbourne on board the by almost all. They were so far ahead SS Tregenna. I guess that a couple of of the run-of-the-mill cars at this time months would pass before Kellows had that comparison was useless and the the car in their Russell St showroom competition not quite in the same and they could also have hidden her league. for a week or so. The Melbourne Motor Show was on at the Exhibition Buildings 70 years later, great changes in mid-May. They had a fi rst example are still taking place, not only in the of the new Silver Dawn. She went to obvious as regards new technology, computer systems, safety, materials, anti-clockwise from top left: “Pearl’s paints and so on, all greatly improved Tiaras”: the Spirit of Ecstasy, the Goddess over time, but on the whole due to of Spring, Persephone, ‘St George and the social direction. In the near future your Dragon’ and ‘The Kangaroo’ next car may be a driver-less one. Let’s hope it doesn’t lull everyone into a false sense of security, and I am sure it will be a long time before the driver-less car is totally supreme, for the pleasure of driving our cars is something we must all stand up for and defend. Do I foresee a battle looming?! This is why we like our Dawn Patrols and the opportunity to meet and drive our wonderful cars. Long may we go on so doing. Dawn Patrol 2017 This year’s Dawn Patrol XVI will be from Friday 22nd September to Sunday 24th September 2017, and

7124 PRÆCLARVM 1-17 News from the Registers

details will be announced in due course. Make a note in your diary. The Registrar has been relatively quiet this last year with many annoying personal issues and has missed deadlines for the previous editions for which I apologise, so I haven’t been able to say season’s greetings to all our members, but I do wish everyone a great 2017 with plenty of fun with our cars. Remember they need to be used, to keep them at their best, just like you and me. John Harriman (Vic) SBA74

SMART Register

t is with fear and trepidation I write my fi rst SMART Registrar’s Report, I they may not have noticed. right: Bruce Duncan and his Bentley MkVI as we really don’t have anything to (B255LH)’ report !! Perhaps a bit of a history of Over the years I have been a myself might be useful especially for member of a number of car clubs I will organise some runs which, members whom I haven’t yet met. including Rover Owners’ Club in both hopefully, will appeal to SMART Victoria and NSW, Range Rover Club Melbourne born and came to members and see if we can enjoy NSW, Bentley Drivers’ Club, RROCA Sydney at the suggestion of my then each other’s company and fellowship (NSW) and a Foundation member of employer, the Bank of NSW. and especially enjoy our wonderful British and European Automobile Club cars. Watch this space!! My interest in British cars goes back based in Bowral, NSW. I have had Bruce Duncan (NSW) many years as my earliest memory in Committee roles in all except ROC (B255LH, ASK26816) this department was a 1941 Vauxhall Victoria and BEAC and have been my parents owned for some years. My President of the Range Rover Club, older brother and sister and I would Rover Owners’ easily fi t in the rear seat. This was Club NSW and sold in the early 50’s and replaced by now RROCA a Standard Vanguard. The Vanguard (NSW). Præclarvm was a bigger car than the Vauxhall Last year I Advertising and, by the standards of the day, very organised the Information: Classified advertisements must be factual and accurate. nice to ride in. Dawn Patrol Persons misrepresenting cars, parts or services will be denied further It was replaced by an Austin A50. and was pleased use of this space. Ads for cars for sale must include chassis number It, too, was an excellent vehicle. Ran to work with and asking price. Ads may be edited to optimise use of available space well, had enough power and was John Harriman. comfortable to ride in. Some years We had over and to conform to a standard format, and may be rejected at the later came another Vauxhall. This 70 members discretion of the Editor without discussion. was a two-tone Vauxhall Victor with participate Photographs: Digital prints are preferred, please forward by email a wrap-around windscreen – very and when the or CD. modern. vacancy for a Dealers: Parties dealing in motor cars must, where required by law, SMART Registrar It was during the life of this car I quote their dealer’s licence number and comply with all other statutory was able to buy my own vehicle and a arose I decided requirements relating to their advertising. second-hand Rover 2000 from Regent to “have a go” Motors in South Melbourne arrived based on my Cost: Full Page: $600; Half Page $320; Quarter Page $160. Ads with on the scene. What a lovely vehicle. Dawn Patrol photograph are free to non-trade members and are placed in up to Two litre engine, single carburettor experience with two consecutive issues. Non-members are charged $38 (inc. GST) for and heavy. Not a fast car but a great John. ad and photograph. Trade ads at commercial rates. Where applicable, cruising car. I am looking cheques made payable to RROCA must accompany advertising copy. In Newcastle I saw Gladys for the forward to our Send ads to the Editor at: fi rst time. Gladys is our 1951 Bentley Register Dinner 1630 Malvern Road, Glen Iris, VIC, 3146. Mk VI and has been to a number on Thursday Tel / Fax: 03-9886-9024. of Federal Rallys. She is a lovely March 16 at the car, formerly owned by long-time RROCA (ACT Email: [email protected] members Eric and Wilma Marshman. Branch) Federal Note: Præclarvm allows advertisements to support owners/enthusiasts We are so lucky to have been able to Rally and hope and to allow businesses to promote themselves and make people aware be the custodians of such a car. to meet as many of the services they offer. Præclarvm cannot and does not recommend After joining the RROCA we SMART people or endorse the advertising businesses or offer any comment on the as possible. If decided we needed a Rolls-Royce as quality of the services provided. Anyone contacting these services well. Now our garage houses our Mk you have some thoughts on should satisfy themselves in the normal way as to the standard of VI Bentley, Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit, a services offered, by asking for references if necessary. 1976 Rover 3500 and a Citroen C5. what we can do Shhh! Don’t tell the other cars they I would welcome share the garage with a French car – your comments. Next deadline: 15 March 2017 for the April 2017 Edition. PRÆCLARVM 1-17 7125 Market Place - Rolls-Royce Owners’ Club Classifi ed Advertising

1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I (102SC) 1926 Rolls-Royce 20 HP (GUK76) 4 1934 Rolls-Royce 20/25 (GXB81) Boat-tail all weather Tourer. Delivered new speed gearbox/four-wheel brakes. Coach- Reliable and sweet-running club car. Six- in Sydney now on its 3rd body and 14th work by Bryden & McKay of Sydney, fi tted wheel equipped. Work done includes: s.s. owner! A wonderful car on many levels in the early 30’s. Finished in burgundy exhaust, overhaul of brakes, carburetor and and much loved by all! Used in The Great over black with burgundy leather interior autovac, four new Dunlop tyres. Coachwork Gatsby and by the Mayor of Oberon for in art deco style, in good condition. Rebuilt by Mulliners Ltd of Birmingham. $75,000. offi cial duties at age 90! Genuine reason for Engine o/hauled clutch and suspension, Ring Ken 02-9558-0005 or kjswinbourne@ Sale. Currently on NSW club plates. Price: original tools. $75,000 Call James gmail.com $175,000 ONO Contact Andrew on 0403- 0419-819-443 314-854.

1949 Bentley MkVI (B48FV) HJ Mulliner 1949 Bentley MkVI (B474DA) Freestone 1938 Rolls-Royce 25/30 (GGR45) Well bodied MkVI has sat in the shed for 27 and Webb aluminum saloon body, 1 of 103 known Club Show car with 2 door Sedanca years. 99% completed ready for restoration, F&W MkVIs. Car in excellent condition with Coupé body by Molyneux. Recent major but unable to fi nish due to ill-health. This 78k miles. Original leather & woodwork, overhaul. Price. $135,000 Call Rex on beautiful girl needs preserving, will pass her part respray & new carpets, not concours 0411-689-972 or. [email protected] on to new carer $15,000 phone Luke or Greg but in original splendor with many original 0427-750-600 features. Routine maintenance always carried out & drives well. Price: $42,500, consider part trade for a/c coupe, Corniche or GT. Contact Gos 0414-999-222

1952 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn (SFC66) 1972 Rolls-Royce Corniche (CRH13522) Pearl grey with red leather upholstery and Two-door saloon by H. J. Mulliner - Park grey roof lining. Fully re-upholstered. Most Ward. Regal Red with Beige upholstery. Very tools and hand books. Registration until good original condition (never restored). April 2017, Original radio (not fi tted). Price: Showing 118,400 miles, believed genuine. 1976 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow $32,000 Ring John on 0437-057-996 or Delivered new by Kellows, Melbourne to (SHR23132). Original colour Mahoga- email [email protected]. RROCA member. Car is in Tasmania. Price ny and Sand. Second owner for 30 years. $65,000 neg. Contact Brian 03-6326-1873 93,450 miles. Always garaged and main- evenings tained. Personalised Club Plates. Set of RR Workshop manuals included in price of $26,000. Call John on 08-8552-3180

For Sale: One complete set of laser cut and formed radiator shutters. Ready 1990 Rolls-Royce Corniche III Drop- to be assembled Head (ADL30116) my car the last 16 and soldered on to years. Light oyster over magnolia hides. the pivots as fi tted The fi nest car in my collection. Complete in to early 20 HPs. every respect & is as-new. Consistent fi rst 2003 Bentley Arnage (BC409710) 3 Made of tin plate, as per original, they can place winner. Australian compliance. 36,300 time winner of the Victorian Concourse be painted or nickel plated to your desire. I miles. Full history, R-R Motors as their show and also the National title as the Best have assembled a new set on my car. Happy car when built. $260,000. Ring Richard on Arnage. The 2004 Red Label Series II is in to provide instruction if needed. $750. I could 0417-700-808. “as new” condition and has been carefully get more made if there is a demand. Nigel maintained. Colour is Peacock Blue with Steele Scott, 0419-838-626 or ncsscott@ Wanted: Hub cap for a 1981 Silver Spirit. Ivory upholstery. Price: $110,000. Contact ozemail.com.au Please contact Cornelis 02-9427-7926. John on 0419-361-237 7126 PRÆCLARVM 1-17 PRESTIGE MECHANICS ROLLS-ROYCE & BENTLEY MECHANICAL SPECIALISTS • Engine & Gearbox Rebuilds • Brakes & Suspension • Steering & General Servicing 2006 Bentley Continental 1992 Rolls-Royce Flying Spur Silver Spirit II • Full Restoration (BE635698) (ASN-44343) Lance Dixon delivery York Motors delivery • Pre-purchase Inspections Two owners, Sunroof Very low kms $89,777 + ORC $69,777 + ORC • Auto Electrical Repairs • Mobile Service • New and Used Parts Phone Bob Evenden 1989 BENTLEY MULSANNE 1979 Rolls-Royce Corniche (07) 55 632475 OR 0400 085789 (BSG-16489) Saloon Kellow-Falkiner delivery (CRH 50113) Two owners. Low kms. United Motors delivery on the Gold Coast, Queensland at: $44,777 + ORC One of just 68 built in RHD $84,777 + ORC 21 DEMAND AVENUE, ARUNDEL, 4214 Visit our NEW WEBSITE for our latest arrivals [email protected] www.davidekberg.com.au prestigemechanics.com.au 14-16 George St, Sandringham VIC, 3191 ph: 03 9533 5777 Damaged or non-running cars bought for cash Mastercard / Visa / AMEX all welcome - no extra charge LMCT 10169

Paradise Garage carry in stock a comprehensive selection of regularly used service parts for all models. By fitting trusted parts you will avoid quality compromise. We offer genuine and selected new, reconditioned and used parts for all Rolls-Royce and Bentley models. Specialist testing, overhaul and component rebuilds. Our factory training and expertise ensures you get the right parts for your car. We can help protect your investment in Rolls-Royce and Bentley. Paradise Garage Australia Pty Limited 25-27 Dunning Avenue, Rosebery NSW 2018 Ph: 02 9313 7866 Fax: 02 9663 2105 [email protected]

An Association devoted to the conservation of Rolls-Royce and Bently Motorcars

UNION OFFSET CO. PTY LTD Print Post Approved PP229219 100048 16 NYRANG STREET, FYSHWICK, ACT 2609 (02) 6295 4500 Lodgement Office: Canberra Mail Centre, Fyshwick, 2609 PRÆCLARVM 1-17 7127 T R U S T Y O U R M O S T P R I Z E D P O S S E S S I O N S W I T H S H A N N O N S For almost 30 years Shannons have been committed to providing tailored insurance products for the motoring enthusiast. We understand what motoring enthusiasts want from their insurance. Shannons have designed a Home & Contents insurance policy specifi cally for the motoring enthusiast including $10,000 worth of enthusiast cover for those things unique to an enthusiast. Plus extra features like a 10% Multi policy discount when you add a home and/or contents policy to your existing Shannons car or bike policy. You can even pay your premium monthly at no additional cost. So call Shannons for a quote on 13 46 46.

7128 PRÆCLARVM 1-17