For Rolls-Royce and Bentley Enthusiasts PRÆCLARVM The National Journal of the Rolls-Royce Owners’ Club of Australia No. 6-17 December 2017

Bentley Bentayga Field Sports by Mulliner for Countryside Pursuits

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. 6-17, December 2017 Issue 293 Features Regular Items Events Calendar 7277 From the Editor 7278 From the Federal President 7279 From the Sir Henry Royce Foundation Chairman 7280 News from the Registers 7299 Book Reviews 7305

Market Place 7305 The underslung Chassis 1884 carries H.R.H. The Prince of Wales, during an inspection of the Royal Military College, Duntroon, June 21, Articles and Features 1920. Read its full story on page 7282.. VALE, Richard John Knight (VIC). Præclarvm says its farewells to the 7281 longest serving member of the Victoria Branch and member of the Archive team of the Sir Henry Royce Foundation. The Three Australian Underslung London-Edinburgh Rolls-Royce 7282 Cars. Part II Chassis 1884. Ian Irwin (ACT) continues a series on the special features of the London-Edinburgh bodied Rolls-Royce motor cars. Gas to Go, Petrol Rationing during the Second World War. 7288 SHRF Historical Consultant, David Neely (NSW), tells of some of the austerity measures employed to keep private cars running during WWII. From the Sir Henry Royce Foundation Archives - Interesting 7290 Items in the SHRF Archives. Gilbert Ralph (VIC), Hon. Archivist of the SHRF now delves into the motoring photograph Archives of the SHRF. A Tale of Five Silver Wraiths. Martin Bennett (ACT) describes his life 7292 The 1912 Silver Ghost, Chassis Number 2018 long memories of 5 Silver Wraiths that were new to Australia at the time shows the gas producer fitted to it during WWII to allow the private vehicle to run and were considered by him to be the finest cars Rolls-Royce ever made. without rationed petrol. David Neely tells the Phantom IIIs in Miniature 1:43 Models of the Best of the Best. 7295 story on page 7288. Episode One Steve Stuckey (ACT) starts a 2 part series on his car models of Phantom IIIs assembled as a tragic of that model. Twenty Topics No 71 - On Damping a 20 HP. In this edition David 7299 Davis (NSW) discusses the need to avoid pushing 20 H.P. cars too hard due to the engine’s rather rudimentary crankshaft friction damping.

Dame Joan Hammond, stands in England front cover: with her much-loved Silver Wraith (WME18) soon after acquiring it in 1954. Read Martin Two luxury British brands: Mulliner, Bentley’s bespoke division, and Purdey, Bennett’s story of the Silver Wraiths known by manufacturers of some of the world’s fi nest shotguns; have partnered to design him during his youth on Page 7292. the perfect Bentley Bentayga for fi eld sports enthusiasts. The pairing is a natural fi t, as Bentley and Purdey share a passion for attention to detail and exquisite craftsmanship. The result is a one-off SUV designed to take occupants to the fi nest sporting events in total luxury, with all the accessories required for the perfect rural adventure. Photos courtesy of Bentley Motors Cars.

Club Website: www.rroc.org.au Back Issues of Præclarvm: http://praeclarum.rroc.org.au/ A coupé model of the Phantom III that Views expressed in Præclarvm are those of the individual writers. General Sikorski of the Polish Government in Exile used in Britain during the War. See more The deadline for the February 2018 issue is 15 January 2018. of Steve Stuckey’s models on page 7259. 7276 PRÆCLARVM 6-17 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 11-16 Apr 2018 2018 Federal Rally, Clare, South Australia Rory Poland 0422-163-827 expressed by the Editor and contributors are their own and do not necessarily refl ect the policies 8-11 Jun SMART Rally, Cowra, NSW Bruce Duncan 02-9487-3095 of the Club. Nothing in this journal, including 14-17 Sep Derby Bentley Weekend Rally, Scone NSW Mal Henderson 0457-244-331 any advertisement, should be construed as endorsement by the Editor or the Club of the quality 21-24 Sep Dawn Patrol XVI, TBA John Harriman 03-9598-6702 or suitability of any product, service or procedure. Australian Capital Territory Branch - President: Ian Irwin Change of Address: Members should notify their 3 Dec Terribly British Day, Queanbeyan Park, Queanbeyan Lawrie Nock 02-6230-3320 Branch Secretary (address below), not the Editor, in the fi rst instance to advise change of address or New South Wales Branch - President: Bruce Duncan non-receipt of an issue. 9 Dec Breakfast at Barnwell Park Golf Club, Five Dock Judith Merlin 0410-548-527 Contributions: Articles, letters and/or illustrations 20 Dec General Meeting, Barnwell Park Golf Club, Five Dock Judith Merlin 0410-548-527 for publication should be sent to the Editor, address below. Articles should preferably be sent as Text fi le 13 Jan 2018 Motorlife Museum, Wollongong Judith Merlin 0410-548-527 on CD, or emailed to [email protected] (otherwise 17 Jan General Meeting, Barnwell Park Golf Club, Five Dock Judith Merlin 0410-548-527 as typed hard copy). 26 Jan Carnivale at Parramatta Park Judith Merlin 0410-548-527 Federal Executive President: Neil Matthews, 11 Feb Long Run VIII: HARS February Tarmac Day Judith Merlin 0410-548-527 PO Box 443, Berwick, VIC, 3806 Queensland Branch - President: Frank Carroll 0408-995-720 (m) Email: [email protected] 10 Dec Christmas Function & Awards Presentation, Twin Waters Frank Carroll 0418-775-963 Secretary: Steve McDonald, 14 Jan 2018 Car Park Capers Breakfast, Scarborough Brett Roberts 07-3353-9915 1/24 Homedale Cres, Connells Point, NSW, 2221 4 Feb Car Park Capers Breakfast Brett Roberts 07-3353-9915 02-8064-9900 Email: [email protected] 18 Feb “Mack the Knife” Luncheon at The Sharks, Gold Coast Glenn Cuffe 0409-593-696 Treasurer: Peter Chan, PO Box 827, Fyshwick, ACT. 2609 South Australian Branch - President: David Furniss 02-6161-7316 4 Feb 2018 Breakfast Run Peter Forbes 0411-246-841 Email: [email protected] Victoria Branch - President: Noel Baker The Sir Henry Royce Foundation 11 Dec Ladies Lunch, Lyceum Club, City Brian Williams 0458-888-767 Russell Rolls, 14 Dec General Meeting, Bill Allsep House, Rowville Brian Williams 0458-888-767 PO Box 140, South Yarra Vic, 3141. 0418-325-086 (m) 17 Dec Christmas Party, Luncheon, Panton Hill Brian Williams 0458-888-767 Email: [email protected] 11 Jan 2018 General Meeting, Iron Bark Station, Kilsyth South Brian Williams 0458-888-767

Federal Publications 21 Jan High Tea, Château Yering, Yering Brian Williams 0458-888-767 Præclarvm Editor: Tim Dean, 4 Feb Technical Section Meeting, LGSI, Rowville Brian Williams 0458-888-767 1630 Malvern Road, Glen Iris, VIC, 3146. 0401-987-808 (m) 8 Feb General Meeting, Bill Allsep House, Rowville Brian Williams 0458-888-767 Email: [email protected] Western Australia Branch - President: Diane Magrath Registrar (Chassis Plate): David Neely, 10 Dec Christmas Luncheon Di Magrath 08-9291-6549 23/1 Bay Drive, Meadowbank, NSW, 2114. 14 Jan 2018 Combined Club run with MG and Luncheon Di Magrath 08-9291-6549 02-8084-8465 (h) 18 Feb Thrombolite/Vineyard Lunch Run Alan Dickson 08-9246-3295 Email: [email protected] Mailing list: Ian Dunn, 40 Murranji Street, Hawker, ACT, 2614. 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. 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 Rolls-Royce Motors celebrates its first 13 years at the Home of Rolls-Royce at Northern Territory: Keith Preston, Goodwood: above a Wraith is tested for leaks at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Goodwood. When PO Box 1066, Palmerston, NT, 0831. Rolls-Royce Goodwood first opened in 2003, it employed 200 people, and produced just one 08-8983-1029 motor car a day. By the end of its first decade, the workforce had grown to more than 1,400 Tasmania: Mike Williams manufacturing the original Phantom then with the Ghost and Wraith and more than 20 cars 5 Caroda Court, Howrah, TAS, 7018 created a day. Today, Dawn has joined the collection and over 1,700 designers, engineers and 0418-478-947 crafts people reside at the Home of Rolls-Royce. (photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars) PRÆCLARVM 6-17 7277 F rom the Editor 2018 Federal Rally: 60 years of collecting from the late Jim its longest serving member when Richard This edition of Præclarvm has many Kelso (NSW), will also be offered for sale, Knight passed away in mid-November. items leading to the 2018 Federal Rally. with 100% of the resultant sales, all also Richard was an active member of the going to the SHRF. SHRF Archive and will be missed by the 2018 Documents. Many hard-to-fi nd parts will be sold small group that support that activity, as Firstly are the 2018 Rally Programme from Jim’s years of collecting. This event is well as many others in the Rolls-Royce and Booking form pages included within not to be missed. family around Australia. the mailing envelope. These will give you The SHRF also has a few advisory the what, where and how much the whole Feedback on an Article in last Edition items in this edition: event will entail. Your help in getting the of Præclarvm 5-17: forms in as soon as possible will greatly Member Robert McDermott (VIC) has 2018 Calendar. assist the Organisers get the numbers written to your Editor to add detail to the Page 7305 has details how everyone and events tied down correctly. Please Phantom III article: Two Rolls-Royces in can purchase the SHRF’s 2018 calendar of make note of the early-bird booking Canberra - Australia and Russia by David car photos, taken by Brian Carson (QLD) date of 31st January 2018 after which Neely, published in Præclarvm No:5-17, of cars at the 2017 Canberra Federal Rally. p7250. He notes that during the 1980s he bookings will incur a cost penalty for your Page 7279 has details of: booking, So book early and take part in owned both the “Government” Phantom FJ Engish Photographic Award. the cost savings. IIIs (3AX99 & 3DL2), and for several years they were parked together in his workshop. Make sure you have your entry in for Rally and Accommodation this important competition and its $500 Update. In regard to 3AX99: he purchased this car after the garage and house fi re in Were prize. Entries close on February 28th. Rory Poland, 2018 Rally Director, Street, Brighton. The body was very badly Lionel Gell Art Awards. has advised that, to-date everything is damaged, but little else was spoilt except progressing well. All venues, hiring and The painting and drawing Art Award to for the instruments and steering wheel early details are locked into place and close in July 2018. which he was later able to acquire. the Rally Committee is now planning on Foundation Research Award. revisiting all the sites in late January. However, contrary to David’s article, the original V12, engine No: E18W, was still Records the details of the Annual He also advised that a great selection in the car and still in good working order. Archive Research Award. of cars have been included in entries to- There was also no evidence of a MK VI Season’s Greetings. date with 17 pre-1940 cars entered in the Bentley engine ever being fi tted. fi rst 40 entries, now received. Margie joins me in wishing all members, After he restored the fi re damage to their families and friends a most joyous Since his last update, he advises too, the chassis he sold the car to a friend who Christmas and a fabulous and prosperous that 3 motel rooms have been cancelled engaged him to completely restore the car. New Year. We look forward to seeing as members have had changes in Unfortunately, the friend’s poor health has everyone at the Clare Rally in the New circumstance. These rooms are available, slowed the project, but Robert is hoping Year. at the time of printing, but member needs to complete the restoration in the near Happy motoring, to call Rory on 0422-163-827 to discuss future. Tim Dean (Vic) them as they are not available by calling GBK58, BSH20044 the motels directly. SHRF Items: Rally Members’ Swap Table. It is noted that the Victoria Branch lost Bob Roberts (NSW) has written to me as the Swap Meet Co-ordinator for the up coming Rally. He advises that Members are asked to bring along their surplus spare parts, if they are wanting to sell them at the 2018 Federal Rally’s coming annual swap meet. 10% of the sale proceeds will go to the SHRF to help in funding their on-going activities. At this year’s coming swap meet, 50-

Diamond Anniversary Federal Rally Clare Valley 11-16 April 2018

Accommodation Update: Brochure and Registration Form Limited Accommodation is still available in the Clare Valley as at Should you require additional copies please call Rory Poland on mid-November 2017 0422-163-827 or email [email protected]. - Riesling Trail Cottages 08-8842-2131 Please indicate on your registration form - The Mill Apartments 08-8842-1111 - Your accommodation venue - The number of people attending each function you are - Discovery Parks 1800-422-724 attending, including Concours and the Meet and Greet. Other accommodation may be available through Bookin, AirBnB Numbers are needed for catering purposes. and similar. The Rally Team looks forward to meeting you in Clare in 2018

7278 PRÆCLARVM 6-17 F rom the Federal President t will only be a short time now until November. Next year would have been Christmas is now upon us, so many Iwe meet at Clare for the Federal Rally. his 60th year as a continuous member of you I am sure, will be gathering Hopefully everyone has completed the of the Branch and our Club. A member with family and friends to celebrate the registration form and returned it to the since 1958, Richard and his 1923 Silver festive season. All our Branches will be SA Branch. The organisation of a Federal Ghost (97LK) has been involved in the holding Christmas functions to celebrate Rally is so much easier when you have as Club since the mid-60s. His wonderful with friends and fellow car enthusiasts. many attendees as possible registered Silver Ghost won ‘Vintage & Veteran’ and To all the volunteers in our Club who well in advance of the commencement the ‘110 years of Rolls-Royce’ awards at have spent yet another year organising date. Also may I suggest that if for some Motorclassica in 2016. Richard held many events and functions, I thank you reason you are unable to attend the committee positions in the Branch and for your contribution to our Club and Rally, that relinquish your room booking in later years was a foundation member to your fellow members. It is easy to back to the rally organisers. This way of the Sir Henry Royce Foundation overlook the fact that all of our Branch other Members’ on the waiting list will Archivists. Some years ago, he and his committees are made up of volunteers, be able to book the accommodation. nephew Nicholas acquired, restored and who give up their time and energy to I am looking forward to attending donated the Rolls-Royce Avon jet engine, organise events and activities for our the NSW Branch presentation evening which is now at Bill Allsep House. The enjoyment. Please support them by and formal dinner at the Roseville golf Avon of course was the engine fi tted attending the various activities that are club this weekend. It coincides with the in the locally built Canberra bomber. organised for you. Sir Henry Royce Foundation meeting On behalf of all members we pass our On behalf of Louise, myself and the in Sydney on the Saturday and the Sir sincere condolences to James, together Federal Executive, we wish all members Henry Royce Foundation meeting will be with Richard’s family and friends. and their families a very happy and one of my last attendances as Federal Over the months, as I have been safe Christmas and a prosperous and President. In relation to the Federal reading and enjoying each issue of enjoyable New Year. Executive, I have heard from a number Præclarvm and the various Branch Until next time, safe travels. of members who have shown interest in newsletters that I receive, it struck me Neil Matthews (VIC) taking on the role of Federal Secretary that we have an extremely or Federal Treasurer. However no one talented group of as yet has made a fi rm commitment. I contributors. The articles assure you that the tasks are not too printed in our magazines and arduous and both positions give great newsletters are interesting, satisfaction to the incumbent executive. entertaining and innovative However it is time now for others to pick in many cases. They often up the baton and move the Club forward. amuse while imparting useful Please give me a call on 0408-995-720 knowledge and insights on to discuss if you wish to enquire about their subject matter. So to either position. all our contributors, thank It is my sad duty to report that Richard you for taking the time and Knight, a very well respected and long- effort to help make all of our term member of the Victorian Branch, publications so interesting, passed away suddenly on the 16th informative and enjoyable.

The Sir Henry Royce Sir Henry Royce The Sir Foundation Foundation Henry Royce in conjunction with Foundation F J Engish Award for the Sherbrooke Art Society Inc. Research Award Club Photography for introduces: The Foundation “Archive” has a significant collection of historical material 2017 THE LIONEL GELL ART on both Rolls-Royce and Bentley in Australia AWARDS 2018 in general and on RROCA and individual Entries are invited for the 2017 F J Engish Branch activities in particular. To encourage Award for Club Photography. The winner Painting and Drawing Awards for the publication of research based on this receives a cash prize of $500. important archive material, the Trustees 2-Dimensional artwork which must have initiated The Sir Henry Royce The competition is open to members of depict one or more Rolls-Royce or Foundation Research Award. This Award, the RROCA and the photograph must Bentley motor cars in an Australian, with a prize of $500, will be awarded be taken at a RROCA event in 2017 with historical or romantic setting. annually to the person who, in the opinion one photograph per member. The criteria of the Trustees, has made the best use being a photograph that exemplifi es the of The Foundation “Archive” to research a Enter by 15th July 2018. Delivery “spirit” of Rolls-Royce and Bentley motor topic of Rolls-Royce and Bentley interest by 21st July. Opening and Awards cars and of the “friendly atmosphere” of and who has published this research in “Præclarvm” or in wider distirbution, Club outings, taken into account will be Announcement: 7pm Saturday 28th publicly available media. the “artistic composition”of the subject July, material. Exhibition on until 12th August. The key driver of this award is the use Collection 12th August of The Foundation “Archive” as the basis of the research and the publication of the Entries close on 28 February 2018. results of this research. The Award is open The Winner will be announced at the $A10,000 in Prize Money to all, not just Members of the RROCA. (prizes are acquisitive) 2018 Federal Rally Awarded Annually, the Research at Clare, SA, in April. Award Winner for the previous year Please email entries to the Full conditions and entry form available will be announced Præclarvm Editor at [email protected] from at the Annual RROCA Federal Rally www.sherbrookegallery.com

PRÆCLARVM 6-17 7279 F rom The Sir Henry Royce Foundation Vale – Richard Knight member. Frank is in the process of photographs and movies of early t is with great sadness that the putting together this Committee. RROCA events and people. We seek ITrustees record the passing of Barry Sparks reports that “on your assistance in this regard. Richard Knight. (A tribute to Richard Saturday afternoon, 11th November, If you have any old 35mm slides can be found on the opposite page) we hosted a small group of invited we have a device for converting them Richard was one of the original Club Members and associates to come into digital format – either CD or volunteers who, over a long period, for Afternoon Tea and to see the USB stick. We are looking for really have assisted Archivist Gilbert Ralph progress at the “Sub-Archive” that has good shots of cars and individual in the conservation and cataloguing been made to date. Their attitude and portraits of historic interest to the of the documentation and artefacts response was very positive and their Club. All photographs need to be in The Foundation’s collection. comments indicated that we are doing identified and dated. If you want Richard’s encyclopaedic knowledge of a very good thing. They all seemed your treasured slides copied onto the personalities and cars associated to be very impressed. There were a a CD we can offer that service at a with the Rolls-Royce and Bentley number of offers of memorabilia etc. moderate cost. If you have finished movement over the past 60 years for inclusion in the collection. An with these photographs, please has been invaluable. Our thoughts ex-member of the Club, Tony Lee, donate them for incorporation into are with Richard’s partner, James arrived with a “boot load” of photos The Foundation’s collection. Baxter, and his extended family. and memorabilia to donate. We also We are considering purchasing a Sub-Archive Queensland received a Merlin Piston-Gudgeon- device that will copy Super8 movies Con Rod Assembly, donated by Brian onto a DVD but before doing so we Parker. Our work force (volunteers) would like to know if there are any has increased by five friends, who, amateur movie makers out there when they found out what we were who have Super8 movies of RROCA doing asked - “What can we do to events. If there is sufficient demand help?” I believe progress at the Sub- we would be willing to provide a Archive has been very good given we copying service at a modest cost started with empty rooms and a lot and supply a DVD copy to the of boxes of material to be catalogued Member. and sorted”. If you are interested in having your above: Volunteers (l-r) David MacArthur and Ann Sparks is assisting Barry with Richard Knight discuss an Archive document slides and Super8 movies digitised at Bill Allsep House. please contact The Foundation’s Honourary Archivist, Gilbert Ralph by As has been noted in previous e-mail – archive@roycefoundation. issues of “Praeclarvm”, the Trustees com.au - describing the nature and agreed to the establishment of a extent of your collection. “Sub-Archive” in Queensland. It Trustees Meeting – Sydney, was proposed that this Sub-Archive November 25 would house all the material that had been donated to The Foundation The Meeting considered a number by Queensland RROCA Members, of major agenda items. I would above: Queensland members can inspect the supplemented by duplicate material highlight the work that Jeanne Eve is publications in the QLD Archive Library. from the main “Archive” at Bill doing to modernise and improve The Allsep House. Following my visit the accession and cataloguing of the Foundation’s “marketing” activities to Queensland on September 27, documentation and artefacts, following and public profile. I can report we have finalised all the same system and methodology as Donations of Material for the necessary arrangements and that is used in the main BAH “Archive”. The “Archive” the “Sub-Archive – Queensland” is Trustees pay tribute to Barry and Ann The Foundation “Archive” is an now operational at premises in the for their excellent work is establishing important repository for all historical Brisbane suburb of Geebung. These the “Sub-Archive – Queensland”. It documentation relating to the RROCA, premises have been made available the Club Branches, and Rolls-Royce by a generous supporter of The and Bentley in Australia. Foundation – there is no cost involved Since the last edition of to The Foundation. “Praeclarvm” there have been Long-standing RROC Queensland further donations of material to the Branch Member, Barry Sparks, has “Archive”. The following people been appointed Curator of the “Sub- made donations of a wide variety Archive – Queensland”. A Committee of interesting documentation: Ron of Management is being formed Aubrey, Pamela Barber, Margaret to oversee the governance and Gillings, Eric Henderson, Len King, management of the “Sub-Archive”. above: (l-r) David Vann and Frank Carroll discuss an Archive item at the meeting on John Link, Margaret Miller, Allan Given the requirements of the 11 November, 2017. Simpson, Steve Stuckey and Brian Trustees that all Foundation assets be Williams. under the custodianship of a Trustee, is proposed to hold a formal Opening If you have books, photographs this Committee of Management will Ceremony, probably in early March or any material of historical interest be chaired by Frank Carroll. It is 2018. relating to matters Rolls-Royce or proposed that there will be two further Digitising 35mm Slides and Bentley please give consideration to members of this Committee. Ideally, Super8 Movies donating them to The Foundation. the President of the Queensland The Foundation “Archive” is keen Branch of the RROCA should be a to build upon its collection of colour Russell Rolls Chairman Of Trustees 7280 PRÆCLARVM 6-17

VALE Richard John Knight (VIC)

ichard Knight was the longest serving told the large assembled crowd about Rmember of the Victoria Branch of the Richard’s life – how he was born on 15th Rolls-Royce Owners’ Club of Australia having November 1939 to Herbert and Bernice joined on the 14th August 1958, sixteen Knight. He attended Glen Iris Primary months after the Branch was established. School, Spring Road Central and then Wesley He was appointed Secretary of the Branch a College where he formed a friendship with year later, Treasurer during 1965-67 and Vice David MacArthur. They discovered they had a President in the mid-1980s. mutual interest in motor cars. Richard studied His fi rst Rolls-Royce was a 1923 Silver for an Accounting Diploma at Swinburne Ghost 97LK which he initially shared with his College and for many years worked at ACI long-time friend John Griffi ths but he took in many roles, including that of Paymaster. over John’s interest in 1964. 97LK is a car When the company was taken over Richard with an interesting history. It is a long chassis took on a senior role with Hay Management model which was imported by Dalgety & Co Consultants in Melbourne as a Remuneration for A H Davie of Yarramundi in the Melbourne Consultant. suburb of Elwood. It was fi tted with an Andrew Browne, Richard’s nephew, elegant touring body by Waring Bros and paid tribute to Richard and the signifi cant appeared at the Melbourne Motor Show that infl uence he had had on his life. He described year. It later carried a number of dignitaries the warm family relationships which had including the Duke and Duchess of York in been inspired by him. 1927, the Governor, Lord Huntingfi eld in Among his early exploits Richard 1934 and Archbishop Mannix. It carries its and his fellow adventurer, Peter Thorne, original Victorian registration plate, 788. travelled from Melbourne to England by Richard’s interest in motor cars was road in a Volkswagen delivery van via inspired by his father ‘Herb’ Knight an early, and over subsequent years became a regular Singapore, Malaysia, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and leading Australian aeronautical engineer participant in its tours and social events. Afghanistan, Turkey, Iran, Greece, Italy, who was General Manager and a Director of Richard’s extraordinary knowledge of all Switzerland, France and Holland. He delighted Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) things Rolls-Royce came to the fore when many friends with his vivid description of the and himself an enthusiastic motorist. Herb he became a supporter of the Sir Henry trials and tribulations of such an expedition. had built up a very sporty roadster which Royce Foundation (Australia) and joined its Richard was a man of many interests was called a ‘Lea Alford’. In fact, it had a Archive team. His speciality lay in identifying as David MacArthur related in his tribute to Lea-Francis chassis, an Alvis front end and and cataloguing thousands of sometimes him. Apart from the early interest in vintage was powered by a Ford V8 motor. This was incompletely described photographs of cars motoring David reminded us of Richard’s Richard’s fi rst car, and later his brother’s fi rst and people which have been donated to the eclectic love of music, his passion for Chinese, car. After many years in storage, Richard fully Archive from members all over Australia. His Japanese and Korean ceramics, Australian restored it, and used it regularly for many encyclopaedic knowledge and vivid recall of wood-fi red pottery, early stem glass ware, years. In addition, Richard’s motor house cars and people will be sorely missed at the antique furniture, fi ne art, classic literature contains a 1976 Corniche, CRH22516, and a Archive. and travel. Richard shared many of these Mercedes Benz C Class Coupe. Richard, and his nephew Nicholas interests with James Baxter, his partner of 44 Richard undertook a complete restoration Knight, donated a Rolls-Royce Avon aero years. of 97LK over many years which included an engine to the Foundation which they had Sadly, Richard was diagnosed with the engine rebuild, repainting and refurbishment faithfully restored. This particular engine incurable Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma nineteen of the woodwork. He maintained this very was manufactured in Australia by CAC under years ago but after robust and near-fatal impressive car in a meticulous manner. It licence from Rolls-Royce. It was donated in effects of chemotherapy it had remained in has won the Silver Ghost Class at numerous memory of, and to honour, the pioneering remission since 2000. Later, an almost-blocked Victorian events and more recently ‘Best work done by Herb Knight into jet engines artery to the heart involved inserting a single Vintage and Veteran Car on Show’ and ‘Best whilst in charge of CAC, and its affi liation with stent. A check-up with his cardiologist in June Rolls-Royce’ at the 2016 MotorClassica in Rolls-Royce. this year showed that all was apparently quite Melbourne. At a Memorial Service held on 24th well, but it was a massive heart attack the In his youth Richard was one of the November, Michael Lynch, the Civil Celebrant, morning after his 78th birthday that led to his founding members of premature demise. the Vintage Drivers Richard was a Club and among his remarkable man with cars was a 1920 Buick a generous spirit, six, a 1929 Cadillac a quiet pleasant Drop-head Coupe and manner, an astute a Mark IV Jaguar all mind and a quirky of which he restored. sense of humour. He He later became a will be missed by all member of the Rolls- who knew him. Royce Enthusiasts Gilbert Ralph HLM Club in UK, the Silver Honorary Archivist Ghost Association and SHRF when the 20 Ghost above: Richard John Club (Australian Knight (1939-2017) Chapter) was formed left: Richard and his Richard became a 1923 Long Wheelbase foundation member Silver Ghost, Waring Bros Tourer. PRÆCLARVM 6-17 7281 The Three Australian Underslung London-Edinburgh Rolls-Royce Cars. Part II, Chassis 1884. Ian Irwin (ACT) In the previous issue, Ian ventured into the divergence from Company practice that saw the creation of the sporting London-Edinburgh Rolls-Royce cars. Then followed the revelation that only fi fteen of these London-Edinburgh cars were manufactured fi tted with rear cantilever underslung, or ‘grasshopper springs’ as they were referred to at the factory. Only fi ve of the fi fteen survive, with three of these having long-term connections with Australian owners. In that article, Ian reviewed the history of Chassis 1826E, Claude Johnson’s car ‘The Mystery.’ In this issue, Ian deals with the second of the three Australian underslung cars. In the next issue, we will conclude this trilogy with the intriguing history of Chassis 1958. The Underslung Silver Ghost, the local historical society. The car (NSW) 19017, so we may presume Chassis 1884. however, was painted in what was that the Humphreys enjoyed the hassis 1884 was the eleventh described as a silver-grey fi nish car for several years in the UK prior Cof the 15 London-Edinburgh with interior upholstery and fi nish to importing it into Australia. Bert underslung chassis constructed, to match. As with many early Silver Ward, of the Sydney Depot, later and the fi rst of these superb Ghosts, it was soon to move to its recalled the car’s grey-blue fi nish ‘a cars to arrive in Australia. It next owner. In 1913 it was with very pretty and sporting colour.’ had been ordered with 5-seater D.T. Brown of Cheshire, believed In March of 1913, an American Tourer coachwork constructed to be the founder of the famous Underslung, unconventional, 50HP by Mulliners of Birmingham and seed merchant company of that car driven by Albert V. Turner, the delivered via W. Watson and Co, name. 1884 was on the market car’s Sydney agent, competing in of 55-58 Renshaw St, Liverpool. yet again in 1914, and acquired by an RAC Hillclimb on the famous Watson was one of the fi rst Rolls- Mr & Mrs A. Humphrey of Dalley Razorback Range of the old Royce Agents, commencing in Avenue, Vaucluse in Sydney’s 1908, having become committed Eastern Suburbs. As with the below upper: Mulliners Ltd of Birmingham crafted the tourer coachwork on Chassis to the marque while driving one other two Australian L-E cars, we are fortunate to have a copy of an 1884, the tenth underslung London-Edin- of the early 60500 series cars the burgh chassis. It will be noted the bodywork original coachbuilder’s photograph previous year. is quite high-sided. The car passed its tests of this car. The fi rst owner of the 1912 on 29th March, 1912, just two weeks after Chassis 1884 was George A. There is no record of the car in Claude Johnson’s car, Chassis 1826E. Burrows of Heswell, Cheshire. 1917 NSW Registration records, below: A period chassis illustration of the Attempts to locate descendants of but it makes its appearance in Indianapolis-built car, called the American the Heswell family have failed, and 1918, registered in the name of Ada Underslung. The concept is unlike any con- Humphrey, and carrying the plate ventional suspension, with the chassis itself indeed, the surname is unknown to fully inverted.

7282 PRÆCLARVM 6-17 Hume Highway, narrowly beat the famous Vauxhall ‘Fifty-Bob’ driven by Boyd Edkins, an extraordinary achievement at the time. The American Underslung car had an inverted or underslung chassis frame, with the springs above, whereas with Rolls- Royce cars, it was the cantilever rear spring suspension that was underslung. The American Underslung cars required huge wheels to give appropriate ground clearance for their chassis. In mid-May 1913, A.V. Turner, driving his stripped American Underslung, succeeded in lowering the Sydney Melbourne record, held since 1910, at 19 hrs 47 mins, to 19 hrs 2 mins. Despite this and subsequent successes of the American, and that one example earned fame in an Indianapolis 500, only four of the breed were registered in New South Wales in 1917. William Reginald Joseph (Reg) Fagan (1883-1944) of Mandurama, near Carcoar, NSW purchased a similar car from Turner’s agency. Fagan was a wealthy landholder and grazier whose Mandurama property, ‘Sunny Ridge’ comprising 13,000 acres in 1913, had been purchased by his father John Fagan in the 1870s. Reg Fagan also owned ‘Mulyan Station’ of 3,500 acres near to Cowra, and ‘Breakfast Creek Station’ of 13,200 acres in the Young district. Reg Fagan’s 50 HP single-seater American Underslung served him well for several years prior to its sale in 1917, but in April 1918, Fagan partnered with Turner, to establish another Sydney-Melbourne record run in Turner’s American Underslung. It was during mid-1917, that Fagan purchased his fi rst Silver Ghost, Chassis 1884, but there is nothing to suggest that his experiences with the American car in any way infl uenced his purchase of this underslung Silver Ghost. The car did not appear in registration records until 1918. In the third week of September 1917, Fagan offered the Sunday Times (Sydney) motoring editor, Bede Carroll the opportunity to accompany him on a trip in the Ghost from Sydney to Mandurama, west of the Blue Mountains. They left Sydney at 3 pm on Tuesday 18th September, and arrived in Bathurst at 10 pm, having stopped for an hour and a half dinner break. They returned on Thursday 20th, inside 5 hours despite heavy rains that had persisted for more than 36 hours, and poor driving conditions in mud

left top: Reginald Fagan, of ‘Sunny Ridge’, Carcoar, NSW, who purchased Chassis 1884 in 1917. left centre: The magnifi cent homestead of Fagan’s 13,000 acre property ‘Sunny Ridge’ at Carcoar was set in glorious colourful gar- dens. In the 1990s it became a 5 star Resort, but is now a home again in private hands. left: Reg Fagan’s American Underslung Run- about in the rich pastures of ‘Sunny Ridge’ in 1914. PRÆCLARVM 6-17 7283 car on the road. ‘The faster it went, the tighter it seemed to hug the road. The Rolls-Royce is some car beyond doubt,’ he said. Clearly Fagan was fl outing the speed limit by a considerable margin on the Geelong Road. The Commonwealth Defence Force Chief of General Staff at the outbreak of the Great War was Major-General James Gordon Legge. After the armistice, General Legge, a Gallipoli veteran, returned to assume the role of Commandant, of Royal Military College, Duntroon, in Canberra. Here he hosted the visit on 21 June, 1920, of the Prince of Wales, and 1884 had been loaned to the Australian Government, to offi ciate with the royal guest. Visual comparisons of the car when new, and when it was loaned in 1920 for the temporary use as a Royal car for HRH The Prince of Wales for much of the trip. Bede Carroll was well impressed. In November, Fagan commented on a run he had made to Melbourne and back. During his stay in Melbourne, he made several trips to the Point Cook Flying School, and en-route there was a 12 mile stretch on the Geelong Road ‘upon which he let the Rolls out.’ Fagan said that on two occasions he touched 70 mph, and commented that this was ‘not bad for a big touring bus.’ He was amazed at the steadiness of the above top: On the crisp Canberra air of an early winter’s day, Chassis 1884 carries H.R.H. The Prince of Wales, during an inspection of the Royal Military College, Duntroon, June 21, 1920. It will be seen that the appearance of the car has been changed slightly with removal of the body mouldings, a replacement louvred bonnet, and restyled mudguards all round. above lower: The original wheels of 1884 are hidden behind the wheel discs in this photo of the car taken some time in late 1920 at the Carcoar property. Both this, and the previous photo reveal torpedo style sidelamps had re- placed the original CAV Model G sidelamps. right upper: Chassis 1884 poses with owner Reg Todman in 1924, on a bridge near Lismore in far northern NSW. Todman was using the car, still fi tted with the original Rudge-Whitworth wheels, as an offi cial car on an extended RAC Trial. Todman is seen handling a rather large snake to remove it to safety. right: Todman had the wheels replaced with modern Dunlops, c1925, and Steve Stuart had Chassis 1884 fi tted with faux leather covering to create the image of a Weymann fabric body. 7284 PRÆCLARVM 6-17 on the occasion of his inspection Julian Walter), Chassis 1884 above: Steve Stuart had Chassis 1884 of the Duntroon Military College, was purchased by Reginald rebodied in 1936, by Diskon and Molyneux. reveal signifi cant changes. The George (Reg) Todman (1886- The refurbished car had undergone a vast skirted mudguards had gone and 1952) of ‘Virginia’, Redmyre array of changes. The completed car was photographed outside the Art Gallery of NSW been replaced with those of a later Road, Strathfi eld, Sydney, and re- in April 1937, when being offered for sale by style. Many of the elaborate body registered as (NSW) 2442. Todman’s Liberty Motors. mouldings had been removed, and brother Charles had owned Chassis lower left: When Chassis 1884 arrived the original fl ush-sided bonnet had 1520 from c1916. Their father, into the Silver Ghost collection at Ingleside, been replaced by a bonnet with 10 George Frederick Todman, was Queensland, it was found to be heavily louvres. After-market Rolls-Royce a co-founder and director of the modifi ed. This image reveals one of the factory-recommended diagonal British and Australasian Tobacco Douglas DC3 aircraft wheels. braces had been fi tted to the front Company, later sole proprietor lower right: A rare glimpse into the past cross-member, to give greater of the company, and in 1900 he desecrations! Here we see the fabrications strength to the front of the chassis sold the business to W.D. & H.O. effected to bring the external gear lever and when fl exed. Wills. He was also a director of the gate inside the chassis frame, in preparation for the body to be fi tted in 1936. Ghost At some later stage, the spare Australian Bank of Commerce, and of the Australian Pulp and Paper owners will readily recognise the huge wheel mounted on the off-side, amount of structural bolstering fi tted to had been relocated further back, Mills. For many years, he was a the top of the gearbox to facilitate this and the running-board mounted generous philanthropist whose modifi cation. tool box was replaced and also particular focus was making gifts absolute gentleman’ and his sons relocated. An undated photograph to hospitals and medical research. were ‘fi ne young men, m’say, salt from the Fagan family’s archives At the Western Suburbs Hospital of the earth, all of them.’ shows the car with wheel discs. a new ward was constructed with The following short extract Later again, the original Rudge- his assistance, and duly named comes from Ward on an experience Whitworth centre-lock wire wheels after him. In his later life, while with 1884 during Reg Todman’s were replaced with Dunlop wheels. reminiscing with the writer about ownership. ‘Todman, a keen his recollections of various early In 1920, When Reg Fagan motorist, was a member of the Silver Ghost families, Bert Ward purchased a new post-War Silver Royal Automobile Club of Australia, said George Todman was ‘an Ghost, Chassis 51FW, (now with who in those days promoted motor

PRÆCLARVM 6-17 7285 car trials and rallies. Todman Westminster Abbey. James passed above left: Further chassis modifi cations are entered 1884 in a Sydney to away in 1914, and William took revealed in these images: Hydraulic shock Bathurst Trial. Bathurst is 136 over management of the fi rm. absorbers as used in the 1930s Ford V8 can miles west of Sydney. I worked In 1930, on the retirement of his be seen .... many hours at night with no pay father, Steve became General above right: .... and here the agricultural to prepare this car for the trial with Manager and Chairman of the modifi cation for the external handbrake. my boss, Bert Peat [at the Sydney board of Directors. below: The rolling chassis of Silver Ghost Depot]. The trial was during the 1884 in the early 1990s, with all signs of the Steve, an established motoring desecration removed by Achalen Holmes. weekend. Many modern cars were enthusiast, had acquired Chassis entered such as Packards, Hudson, 1884 in the early 1920s. When chassis was fi tted with hydraulic and Mitchells and 1884 was the the NSW Motor Cyclists’ Club lever action (Ford V8?) shock oldest car. The weekend arrived conducted a gruelling, major, three absorbers in anticipation of the with pouring rain. Todman, Peat, day run in December, 1924, the heavy coachwork that Stuart had a friend of Todman and myself event’s supporting Offi cial Car was in mind for the car. left in the car. No windscreen Rolls-Royce 1884. On this tour, the Necessitated by the new style wiper in those days so [we] used car was photographed on a bridge of considerably heavier coachwork a raw potato and glycerine for the near Kempsey on the north coast planned for the chassis, the screen. Trial interesting, but 1884 of NSW. external gear lever and gate too heavy to compete with modern Writing in an early issue of on the outside of the car were cars, however we came 6th, 20 London & Derby, Ward recalled removed, and the gear lever miles to the gallon and reached 86 that Stuart, in keeping up with was inserted into the top of the miles per hour.’ The writer would the new cladding trend created gearbox from a specially created suggest there has been more than by Weymann coachwork, had mounting planted directly above a little optimistic licence exercised the original body covered with it. (A similar modifi cation had been on that last point. red fabric, with the mudguards effected in c1929 on Chassis 1363, Ward continued: ‘…. this road fi nished in black. in Victoria.) [over the Blue Mountains of the In 1934, Stuart had the old body The mechanical maintenance Great Dividing Range] was just removed and several mechanical required along with the associated as bad as travelling east to west ‘improvements’ effected at the ‘upgrades’ clearly consumed many across Australia in those days.’ Sydney Depot. Ward advises months, and perhaps Stuart’s Indeed, none of the road travelled that the differential was modifi ed enthusiasm for the task had begun was anything more than a dirt with replacement quieter helical to wane. Stuart was a very wealthy track, which in wet conditions gears fi tted to replace the man, and could have purchased became impassable in stages. original straight-cut gears. The any new luxury car of his choice. Whilst owned by Todman, the transmission brake on the back When the chassis rebuild was original Rudge-Whitworth wire of the gearbox was removed and eventually completed, Stuart then wheels were removed and replaced the rear brakes were replaced had the car rebodied with heavy with the later Dunlop wire wheels. with later (post-War) Silver Ghost saloon coachwork by the Sydney Chassis 1884 had become double brakes. The rear of the fi rm of Diskon and Molyneux in the property of Steve Stuart of Marrickville. Steve’s father William (1860-1940), and his uncle, James, were co-founders of the fi rm of Stuart Bros, Builders. The fi rm’s achievements are signifi cant. Included in their major works were numerous woolstores, theatres, the offi ces of the Sydney Morning Herald and Evening News, two large pavilions at the Sydney Showground at Moore Park, and the greatly acclaimed roof of the Fisher Library of the University of Sydney modelled on that of

7286 PRÆCLARVM 6-17 their large premises at 2 Broadford Street, Bexley, a southern Sydney suburb. (Sadly, this historic site, comprising a large but neat corrugated iron building, familiar to the writer as a young schoolboy passing regularly in late 1940s and early 1950s, has been rezoned and succumbed to residential housing.) Eventually, 1884 was sold to a buyer whose identity is unknown, and shortly after it suffered considerable damage in an accident. When repairs were completed, it was sold to a retired British Army Captain whose name is also not recorded. The gap in known ownerships was ended when the car was discovered in Queensland, and in 1966, the car was swapped for another car, and gathered into the famed Faris Palfreyman Silver Ghost collection. When acquired, the car was fi tted Douglas DC3 aircraft wheels and their huge balloon tyres. Achalen Holmes, a grandson of Palfreyman, commenced the car’s restoration in the 1990s. In the 1950s, when George Green and a few of his colleagues went to a property in western The car is owned by a British above: Two images of a magnifi cent car. Sydney to retrieve a neglected car businessman with interests in the Chassis 1884 after its major rebuild in the for George’s collection, George Far East, but the car resides in the UK. The car’s coachwork has been faithfully Roberts was in the party. George UK. restored in the style of the original Mulliners told me that he scrounged in a Ltd of Birmingham body. fowl shed, and put his hand up below: And now, with the exterior and to a shelf across a corner, and Acknowledgements: Achalen upholstery returned as close as possible to found an Edwardian Silver Ghost Holmes and Palfreyman family that of the original silver-grey fi nish, 1884 is archives; Pastoral Review, April 15, Spirit of Ecstasy mascot. He was set for another hundred years or more! 1914; Photos from late Reg Fagan naturally quite astonished. So family archives. John Fasal original p.112. Launceston Daily Telegraph, he again reached up and ran his photo; Motor Life magazine 17 January May 17,1913; The Casterton News, hand around on the shelf, and felt 1925, p.15. London & Derby; Bert Ward 6 April, 1918. P.4.; Sydney Morning something else. Curiously, this recollections; Motor Sport, January Herald. 22 June 1914; Australian was one of the two chassis plates 1993, p58; Modern Motor, May 1987, Dictionary of Biography. Vol 12. 1999. from 1884. How these items got there, or with whom was never established. George Green gave the mascot a home, and George Roberts was given the plate for his discovery. He had this for some 40 or more years, until the writer encouraged him to part with it, so it could be reunited with 1884. He agreed with my sentiments, and allowed me to purchase it. It was duly passed on and thankfully has been reunited with the car. 1884 was later sold to the UK, and has remained with the same owner ever since. It was subjected to a no-expense-spared restoration with replica tourer coachwork fi tted in the style of the original Mulliner body, and initially painted a light cream. Following the restoration, 1884 has carried the plate M.3313. In more recent years, it has been given a further facelift and is now fi nished in silver.

PRÆCLARVM 6-17 7287 Gas to Go Petrol Rationing during the Second World War David Neely - HLM, SHRF Historical Consultant (NSW)

usterity measures were anticipated Ain the early days of the Second World War and the satirical ‘Smith’s Weekly’ published a series of cartoons with the theme, “Making Ends Meet” in the 24 February 1940 edition. The tongue-in- cheek introduction was, “Strenuous times may be ahead, when we’ll all have to pull the belt in and save money. Making ends meet isn’t so hard when you know how. ‘Smith’s’ artists, notorious for plain living and high thinking, give you a few hints on economy on this page.” Cartoonist, Norman Mitchell (1920- 1980), contributed with this caption: “As for your Rolls-Royce, what about trading it in for a tandem-bike?” At the start of the war Australia was totally unprepared for an extended confl ict and had suffi cient petrol reserves for only three months of normal consumption, and limited storage capacity. The government appealed to the community to be frugal with petrol and encouraged motorists to use charcoal gas producers, which were fi tted to the back of vehicles. However, gas producers were not popular with the public. They were in short supply, cumbersome and not particularly effi cient. As well, refuelling with charcoal was a messy process. No amount of attractive propaganda could overcome these shortcomings. Petrol rationing was in force from October 1940 to February above: This ‘Smith’s Weekly’ cartoon by Norman Mitchell appeared in the 1950. 24 February 1940 edition. The Governor of South Australia below: 1912 Silver Ghost 2018 with a gas producer. set an example as the Adelaide ‘News’ reported on 28 August 1941, “For several weeks the Rolls-Royce of the Governor (Sir Malcolm Barclay-Harvey) has carried a gas producer.” The car was 1928 Phantom I, chassis 43CL. A variant on gas during petrol rationing was used on Mr Cleary’s bus as reported in the Wilcannia newspaper, ‘Western Grazier’, on 10 July 1942, “Mr. J. Cleary’s Rolls-Royce bus that runs between Menindee and Wentworth, is now in Broken Hill to be fi tted with a special heating apparatus so that shale oil instead of petrol or producer gas may be used.” The Broken Hill ‘Barrier Miner’ reported on 31 August 1911, “Mr. J. Cleary, of Menindie (sic), mail contractor, has purchased a large motor-car, similar to those in use for the general traffi c at Renmark and Morgan, South Australia, capable of carrying 15 passengers and about 10 cwt. [500kgs] luggage. It is intended to run this car from Broken Hill to Menindie (sic) and complete the distance in six hours.” Cleary operated a motor rail service 7288 PRÆCLARVM 6-17 from 1911 to 1949. However, the “Rolls-Royce bus” has not been identifi ed. Three Rolls-Royces, which were fi tted with gas producers, are documented in Clarke and Neely’s ‘Rolls-Royce and Bentley in the Sunburnt Country’: 1912 Silver Ghost, chassis 2018; 1915 Silver Ghost, chassis 17CB; and, 1934 Phantom II chassis151RY. The Sydney Rolls-Royce agents, Appleby & Ward, fi tted a gas producer to 151RY during petrol rationing as Bert Ward recounted in the October 1975 edition of Præclarvm, “On the rear we fi tted the hopper, held on to the rear cross member by 20 h.p. connecting rods and built into the boot. The boot lid was removed. On the front is the fi lter, mounted on the front cross member. The engine had an extra manifold and control unit, which had to be made up and fi tted. It all worked very satisfactorily and when removed, the engine was completely dismantled, overhauled and all bodywork restored.” Returning to ‘Smith’s Weekly’, another cartoonist, Emile Mercier (1901-1981), took aim at the rich and petrol rationing in the 18 October 1941 edition with this caption: Mistress: “Is the Rolls Royce without, Meadowes?” Butler: “Yes, Your Ladyship – without petrol!

top: 1915 Silver Ghost 17CB with a gas producer. right upper, right centre and right lower: 1934 Phantom II 151RY with the gas producer fi tted by Appleby & Ward during petrol rationing. left: This ‘Smith’s Weekly’ cartoon by Emile Mercier appeared in the 18 October 1941 edition. PRÆCLARVMPRÆCLARVM 6-17 7289 From the Sir Henry Roy Interesting Items in Gilbert M Ralph HLM,

In previous centre spreads I featured photographs might look a little more closely at some of the in some of the older cars. Many of these items have or transformed

right: Initially petrol tanks were dipped with a graduated wooden rod and it was not until the 1910s that fl oat operated dial gauges became common. This particular Telegauge shows both gallons and litres. Dash mounted electric gauges came later when the risks associated with an electric device close to a petrol tank were above: This glass mascot is by Rene overcome. Lalique the noted French producer of glassware ranging from paperweights to dining tables. Mascots such as this were seen on expensive cars during the 1920s and 30s. They came in a diverse range of shapes and sizes with the heads of animals and birds being popular.

left: The interior of this beautifully restored 1928 Barker bodied limousine, 20 hp GKM60, displays attention to detail in all respects. It has earned the owner numerous awards over many years. Do you think the Spirit of Ecstasy walking stick was an optional extra at the time?

below: Because of their large size the supporting framework for canvas hoods on early touring cars needed to be very robust and here is an example of one in folded position on a 1912 Silver Ghost, 2009. Some hood makers boasted that their products were ‘one-man hoods’ but this is not one of them.

below: Here is an example basket typical of those use with spirit burner on the le The glasses are also encas plates, cups and saucers ar silver plate.

7290 PRÆCLARVM 6-17 yce Foundation Archives n the SHRF Archives Hon. Archivist SHRF (VIC) s of complete cars but in this edition I thought we teresting details of the fi ttings and equipment on been either superseded by more effi cient devices d in some way.

above: This unrestored acetylene headlamp on a 1910 Silver Ghost, 1520, is by Ducellier, a French manufacturer. In addition to the rear mirror and silver- plated refl ector there appears to be a magnifying glass in front of the burner. Why was this so?

right: Another French lamp maker was left: All early Rolls-Royce cars Marcel and this particular model has have a ‘chassis plate’ which iden- three bulbs – a main bulb at the centre tifi es each individual car. Number of the refl ector and another behind the 2145 identifi es this as a 1912 Sil- magnifying glass near the top. Can you ver Ghost. Later cars usually bore see the third bulb and what is its function? chassis numbers which included a combination of letters and numbers in a seemingly illogical sequence. Note the way the slots in the screws have been aligned. below: This massive brass acetylene ‘spot light’ is an unusual addition to this 1912 Silver Ghost, Chassis 2133 in that it is mounted on the running board between the front and rear doors. A judge might notice that the burner is incomplete.

e of a quality wicker picnic d in the 1930s. Note the kettle ft and the cane covered bottle. ed in cane. The Swedish made re enamel and the cutlery is

PRÆCLARVM 6-17 7291 A Tale of Five Silver Wraiths By Martin Bennett (ACT)

automotive fi nishes quickly went ‘fl at’ in those days) and what appeared to be a lighter-than-original blue. Although I thought the car still looked good, it somehow lacked something that the original colours had emphatically lent it. At the same time he had the seats reupholstered in a dark grey ‘moquette’, such as people of my generation and earlier may recall on cinema seats and the like. At least I thought the seats had been reupholstered, but in recent times when aving settled with my parents and brothers in Geelong in above: WGC3 as photographed by the writer for an article that appeared in Hlate-1962, at the age of 13, I found that after a couple of Vol. III No. 1 of the then recently-named Præclarvm, dated December 1967. years I became aware of the Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars in The twin Lucas SFT-700 fog-lights were introduced in lieu of the pre-war pattern centre-light for export markets for late-1949 deliveries and WGC3 and around that city. In particular, I took notice of the Silver would have been one of the first to incorporate this change – perhaps the first. Wraiths, of which I soon realised there were no fewer than below upper: WGC3 some half a century later, still in the same family in fi ve in daily use. To my mind they were, along with the Silver Geelong but soon to be sold. Another early export feature seen on WGC3 Clouds, the fi nest Rolls-Royce cars ever made – and therefore was the ‘Pyrene’ blade-type bumper with large overriders. the fi nest cars of any make ever made! bottom: This rear view emphasises the non-metallic light grey applied to the At fi rst the long, sleek Silver Clouds took precedence in top half of the car in the 1960s and the lighter-than-original shade of blue on my imagination, but over time the quiet dignity of the Silver the lower half. Wraiths, with their magnifi cent headlights and coachwork bearing the names of famous English coachbuilders, took an increasing hold on me. I used to see at least one of them almost every day, and came to know some of their owners. The one most frequently sighted was WGC3, a beautiful H.J. Mulliner touring limousine, so it is with that car that I begin my descriptions. WGC3 H.J. Mulliner touring limousine This Silver Wraith was competed in May 1949 but was not delivered to its fi rst owner ‘Ozzie’ Porter in Melbourne until November, and not until January 1950 according to Rolls- Royce and Bentley in the Sunburnt Country. It was fi nished in the silver and blue colour scheme in which this body style was showcased in the Silver Wraith sales catalogues of the time. The passage of up to eight months between completion and delivery has been explained anecdotally by suggestions that it had been intended for a Middle-Eastern potentate who failed to take delivery. This customer had apparently specifi ed the West of England cloth upholstery used for the seats and door trims, both rear and front, which is unusual at least in the front. How or why the car ended up in Melbourne for eventual sale is not known with any certainty, but further anecdotal “evidence” suggests that Mr Porter, who is said to have been an ‘S.P.’ bookmaker, bought the car after seeing it at the Melbourne Motor Show. However, I can fi nd no evidence that this car was ever so exhibited. Indeed the 1949 Show was held in May – well before WGC3 arrived in Australia. According to Sunburnt Country Mr Porter may have kept WGC3 for some dozen years as the next known owner was A.D.F. ‘Peter’ Griffi ths of Geelong, who acquired it around 1962. This rings true as Mr Griffi ths always said he was the second owner. Around 1967 Mr Griffi ths had WGC3 resprayed in light grey in lieu of the original silver (on the grounds that metallic 7292 PRÆCLARVM 6-17 WGC3 came to light again I discovered that the new covering had actually been put on over the top of the original cloth – a boon for any conservation-minded future owner. In its new appearance Mr Griffi ths continued to use the car for some years, but over time it was seen with less and less frequency. The last time I saw it was in the early 1980s, until a couple of years or so ago when a friend drew my attention to carsales.com where it was offered for sale. Arrangements were made to go to see it while I was in Geelong visiting my mother. It turned out that it was still in the Griffi ths family, owned by Peter’s son. I took a series of photographs including the colour ones seen here. We discussed the possible sale of the car to me, and later we came to an agreement, but before I was able to get back to Geelong it had been sold to a Melbourne buyer. It would have been nice to own the car that started me in my Rolls- Royce obsession – but it was not to be and in any case I own its twin, WHD101 (see Præclarvm 1-17) and therefore should be – and am – quite satisfi ed! WTA81 Park Ward saloon I am dealing with WTA81 second despite its having been the fi rst post-war Rolls- Royce to arrive in Victoria, delivered new to the Nicholas ‘Aspro’ family in August 1947, as well as only the second imported into Australia. I always thought of this one as the poor relation of the other four, though a Rolls- Royce should never be thought of in that light! I would not then or now disparage the Park Ward design number 13 saloon coachwork to which I attribute a certain indefi nable charm despite or perhaps because of its plainness. It wasn’t so much Around 1973, after returning from a spell being trained to fl y the then-new Boeing 707 the body style that led me to regard WTA81 of living in England, I saw WTA81 offered jet airliners. This gentleman, whose name I as less impressive than the others so much for sale in Warwick Gillin’s used car yard in understand to have been Mr Putnam, was, as the fact that it had been, not to put too Geelong, which might have given rise to the I always assumed, somehow involved in fi ne a point on it, allowed to deteriorate Sunburnt Country entry to the effect that Mr that. Sometimes I would see it parked in the rather more than might be expected given Gillin was the owner “1960s to 1975”, which street outside his house in Drumcondra, a its then relatively modest age. The interior is not the case. The asking price was $3,000 bayside suburb of Geelong, or being fi lled had been the subject of a poor quality and I suppose it would have made sense to with petrol at a fi lling station on the main retrimming job using grey vinyl, and the have bought it, but at the time I was in no road. whole car had fallen into a general air of position to do so and restore it and it went WHD93 was fi nished in what I considered shabbiness. to Tasmania. Some years ago I saw, offered a very elegant colour combination – a subtle for auction by Shannons, what was probably WTA81 appeared to be owned by two-tone scheme of dark blue and black, this car, nicely restored but painted white. somebody who worked at the CSIRO in though decades later I learned in Sunburnt Belmont, a Geelong suburb, as it was often WHD93 H.J. Mulliner sedanca de ville Country that when delivered new to the seen parked there. According to Sunburnt I used to often see this car when it would Penfold’s Wine people it was painted all-over Country WTA81 was blue but when I glide by on the Princes Highway, driven grey. At fi rst I didn’t realise it was a sedanca knew it, light grey side panels relieved the by its American owner to and from Avalon de ville as the roof over the front was never otherwise dark blue coachwork. airfi eld where at the time Qantas pilots were opened and I hadn’t noticed the join across the roof.

above top and centre: The only photograph the writer ever took of WTA81 was this truly awful one, in Warwick Gillin’s used car yard around 1973, so a picture of another Park Ward design number 13 saloon (centre) with precisely the same two-tone colour distribution provides an accurate impression of how WTA81 looked during the period under discussion, when it was dark blue with light grey side panels. left: I never took a satisfactory photograph of WHD93 so this one, showing a sedanca de ville by H.J. Mulliner, design number 7055, is standing in for WHD93, which looked just like this when frequently seen in Geelong by the writer. Its colour scheme at the time was black with dark blue side panels between waistline and wings. PRÆCLARVM 6-17 7293 This car suddenly disappeared from the scene in Geelong and at the time I speculated that its owner had returned to the United States, taking the car with him. Decades later I learned that my speculation was correct and that the car was still well preserved in California. WME18 James Young saloon with division This is the one that I usually found the most impressive, while confessing to a certain fi ckleness in that the car I was viewing at any given time seemed impressive! WME18 was certainly in the best condition of any of the fi ve, fi nished in gleaming black with blue- grey leather upholstery and having the most elaborate and beautiful interior woodwork. It was also the only one of the fi ve to be owned by a famous person. It is sometimes claimed that opera diva Joan Hammond owned this car from new. In fact it was delivered new in March 1951 to a Mr Watts who owned a transport company in Lydney, Gloucestershire. The retailer was Jack Barclay Ltd, the famous Berkeley Square, London Rolls-Royce & Bentley dealer, who subsequently sold it secondhand to Joan Hammond in February 1954 when it was nearly three years old. Miss Hammond, later to become Dame Joan, lived in Surrey at the time but retired to Australia, moving into a house she had built at Aireys Inlet, on the Great Ocean Road, with cliff-top views over turbulent Bass Strait. In 1967, after meeting her in Geelong and requesting access to the car for photography I was invited there, and two of the resulting photographs appear here. In the 1980s WME18 was the subject of a magnifi cent restoration by the late Matt Smith of the Western Australia Branch, after which I was privileged to drive it on several occasions. WOF24 Hooper touring limousine This car had the famous and handsome Hooper ‘Teviot III’ coachwork. Rolls-Royce and Bentley in the Sunburnt Country says that it was black when new, though I only ever knew it in very dark green. It was the last built of the fi ve and the only one with the 4.5 litre ‘big bore’ engine. It was completed in July 1951 and delivered new in November of the same year by York Motors in Sydney to T.A. Field Pty Ltd. Of the fi ve it was the one I sighted the least and the one I knew least about. The main thing I knew about it was that it was, and probably still is, an extremely impressive-looking car! Its owner lived in Ocean Grove, a sea-side town a few miles out of Geelong. The opportunity to photograph it never arose, so for this article I have had to rely on a coachbuilder’s publicity shot. right top: WME18 photographed by the writer in 1967 at the Aireys Inlet house that Dame Joan Hammond built for her retirement. The house was destroyed in the 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfires and Dame Joan lost all of her possessions including a lifetime’s memorabilia. right centre upper: Taken by the writer on the same day, this photograph shows the very elaborate and beautiful cabinetry behind the division, so very typical of the work of James Young Ltd between the early post-war period and the late 1960s. right centre lower: Miss Joan Hammond, as she was then, in England with her much-loved Silver Wraith WME18 soon after acquiring it in 1954. right: As the writer was never able to photograph WOF24 it has been necessary to fall back on this coachbuilder’s study of another car of the same body style, Hooper design number 8283 (known as ‘Teviot III’), similarly painted and looking just as WOF24 did in the 1960s except that WOF24, being an export car, would have had twin foglights (as on WGC3) in lieu of the standard centre-lamp. 7294 PRÆCLARVM 6-17 Phantom IIIs in Miniature 1:43 Models of the Best of the Best Episode One Steve Stuckey (ACT)

s some readers may know, I am a bit Prompted by David Marshall-Martin’s Back to the Solido models. These are Aof a Phantom III tragic. My affl iction wonderful display of the Phantom IV based on two James Young-bodied cars, developed out of a long-standing models in Præclarvm 3-17, I decided not a bad proportion of the total James admiration of the Rolls-Royce, especially I might enlighten readers with some Young production of only 13 bodies on pre-War models. This disease included a Phantom III models in 1:43 scale. the Phantom III chassis. passion for models, leading to a current My collection of Phantom III models First is the drophead sedanca coupé collection (small by the standards of stands at 119. This, the fi rst of these 3AX193, produced in both open and some) of only 273, some Franklin Mint articles, will concentrate on the most closed versions. The 1:1 scale car was 1:18, some of other various sizes, BUT, common of these, those made by originally black with a black hood, and the vast majority are 1:43, starting with Solido of France. Production of these was delivered to Samuel J. Harris, a Dinky and Corgi models I collected in my commenced in 1976 and continued London theatre entrepreneur and prolifi c teens. Not that long ago I decided that into the 1980s. France continues to Rolls-Royce customer (I know of 12 Rolls- I had to temper my collecting, and now host perhaps the most prolifi c of the Royces he owned, as well as 7 Derby that I have all Phantom IV models, I will small-production 1:43 model makers, Bentleys, the last an S1 Continental, only collect Phantom III miniatures. This although the Chinese are catching up, chassis BC66AF). For a short time 3AX193 is not a bad thing, as they do not appear partly by the fact that they blatantly car was in Sydney when owned by Jorge all that often; the down side is that new copy small runs of higher-quality Fernandez but has been in the USA for models often tend to be VERY expensive European models. But don’t get me 15 years or so, and is in the process of a (my latest, of 3CM61, was purchased wrong – some of the Chinese models complete restoration. from France for a mere $410). are exquisite.

above: This version of the open 3AX193 has perhaps the most pleasing colour scheme, although the white wall tyres were very rare in the 1930s! The dimensions of the Flying Lady mascot are out of proportion to the rest of the car, but making a proper-sized version is very difficult, although perfected by the most skilled model makers. right: These are the various colours of the open version of the model I have in my collection. The blue and black colours on one of the models on the right is close to the current scheme, although the American owner – keen on originality – may revert to black.

above: Solido also made the model with its fabric roof raised and this photo shows one in detail. The car has never had chromed or polished wheel discs in its entire life, to my knowledge, but such ‘bling’ may help sell models to young boys!

right: The eight colour variations of the model in my collection. Note the “gold- plated” version on the right.

PRÆCLARVM 6-17 7295 The second James Young car used by Solido to make their 1:43 models was the sedanca de ville on chassis 3DL192, a very late car. It was sold in 1941 to Harry Barlow of Allied Leather Industries of Somerset. It has been in Switzerland since 1980 and was subject to a complete restoration when owned by Dr Reto Domeniconi, the Managing Director of Nestlé.

above: A correct representation of the colour scheme of 3DL192 when new – black with beige interior, although again it never had white wall tyres or polished wheel discs.

left: The various colour representations of the model of 3DL192, including the chromed version top right. The red car doesn’t look too bad, even though it is reported that Lady Doverdale in 1936 described red cars as “unspeakably vulgar”; she and her husband owned 3AZ46, finished in sober black. Note the model with the writing on its side – this is the signature of Orson Welles, one of a series of “Hollywood Stars Cars” produced by Solido; this was the only PIII. Solido did produce other special versions of its models, including:

right: The open version of the drophead coupé model, painted in the colours thought to have been on the Phantom III that General Sikorski of the Polish Government in Exile used in Britain during the War. His actual car looked a lot different, as we shall see at the end of this article.

left: Another variant of the open car, purchased (like many others in my collection) off eBay. This shows amateurish ‘enhancement’ of the colour-scheme, including the silver bonnet sides.

left: Fifteen years or so ago a California model maker, Pete Thommes, started selling his variations on the Solido models on eBay, and I became an eager buyer, mainly because the quality of his models was so good. Here are three of his versions of the closed drophead car, that on the left with its wire wheels and the other two with quite stylish rear spats.

right: Pete Thommes also produced the drophead sedanca coupé model with the hood half-opened. Variations on the rear spats also gave these models a certain elegance.

7296 PRÆCLARVM 6-17 right: Pete worked on the open model to give it a fixed-head coupé appearance. The lower two of the models show different sizes of the rear quarter windows. I like the grey and black car in particular. The black and yellow car is nowhere near as attractive.

left: A variation on the fixed-head coupé, another Thommes creation. Not as stylish, but still interesting.

right: – Someone other than Pete tried a similar model, but look how crude the paint scheme is. Nonetheless, I had to have it!!

left: A nice Thommes variation, designed to be like the James Young parallel-door coupé on two Phantom III chassis (we shall see more of this design in the next article). Chromed wire wheels were very unusual on the Phantom III, but at least this model has black-walled tyres!

right: Pete also worked on the sedanca de ville version of the Solido model, 3DL192. Here he has closed the car, but you can see how it is a closed sedanca by the line in the roof.

left: Without the closed sedanca line in the roof, Pete Thommes turned this variation into a limousine model.

PRÆCLARVM 6-17 7297 left: Yet another variation, an expansion of the coupé design shown previously, but this turned into a 4-door. The colour scheme is metallic, something that was appearing on coachbuilders’ colour palettes in the late 1930s. The door handles don’t match the quality of the rest of the cars Pete Thommes produced.

right: A rarity in the late 1930s was a sedancalette, that is a sedanca also with a landaulette opening at the rear. Only one was produced on the Phantom III chassis (by Barker) and Pete amended the sedanca Solido model to this effect.

right: More difficult than any of his other variations, Pete turned the sedanca de ville model into cabriolet form (in my parlance a cabriolet has a division; a tourer does not). Stylish, and retaining the front quarter windows must have been a challenge!

left: A variation on the cabriolet model, this with unattractive wire wheels. Note also that the door handles have gone missing somewhere in this model’s life!

left: Perhaps my favourite of Pete’s variation creations, a handsome car, and one requiring all the skills of the dedicated amateur metal model maker. Based on the sedanca de ville metal model, for some inexplicable reason it retains the rear door handles! Pete wanted this car to be close in design to that of the Vanvooren car shown below.

right: This is the actual car used by General Sikorski of the Polish Government, a stunningly gorgeous drophead coupé by Vanvooren. This is my very favourite Phantom III, a car I have had the privilege of being a passenger in on one memorable day at an RREC rally when it was owned by John Harwood. The car is now owned and loved by Lord Anthony Bamford.

7298 PRÆCLARVM 6-17 News from the Registers

It is to be noted that the Twenty has the makes another point that the thrust races, Twenty Topics No. 71 thinnest crankshaft of all the Rolls-Royce being ball bearings, suffer from two faults 6 cylinder engines. Running an engine at at high speed namely that the balls are On Damping a 20HP half speed without the damper working centrifuged strongly against the outside ur Twentys are made up of thousands properly will hammer the timing gears of the shallow grooves they run in. This Oof bits most of which are way past and the springs in the damper leading to exerts a very powerful wedging action their use by date and we rely on their breakage, indeed a symptom of the damper applying a high load at high speed and design by Royce, their manufacture and not working is a timing gear rattle as noted the bearings tend to fail. Aggravating this our favourite engineers to enjoy motoring in the Depot Sheet above. The answer is that the balls are constrained by load in circumstances which were unimaginable is to have the damper working properly and track to follow a circular path, while when the cars were built. The fact that and to avoid running the engine at high spinning on a radial axis at right angles to they can cope at all is testimony to all the speeds and suddenly throttling back which, this circular path. Considering the above, above. together with the overrun inertia of the car, Michael prefers a higher differential ratio Matters which ought to receive more will suddenly reverse the stresses built up to an overdrive so as to avoid the original consideration are the friction damper and in the motor.” pinion and its thrust races rotating at the rear axle. The RREC article has some frightening speeds not just marginal but outside The following comments about the pictures of a damaged flywheel, bearing design limits. damper are summarised from an Article by caps and the damper itself. I met Norman The message for we Twentyists is to N.W. Geeson in RREC Bulletin 311: Geeson at the Centenary Rally in Monterey avoid pushing the cars too hard. Twentys “Briefly the friction damper is a clutch in 2004. He has had experience particularly will cruise all day at 40 to 45 miles per like disc arrangement situated at the front with the post-War cars up to the Silver hour. Above that, care needs to be taken of the engine within the wheel case. Its Shadow. While chatting, I mentioned the to avoid trouble, perhaps from where one function is to counteract the inherent Foundation’s Phantom V and that a speed would least expect it. imbalance of the rotating and reciprocating limit of 60 miles per hour had been put on Workings on Several 20 HPs it because of its age and the low geared parts of the engine. The main vibration is Bob Clarke has been putting a lot of rear axle. He commented that the decision evident at half engine speed.” effort into the original roadster bodywork was wise not only from the point of view of of 75A8. The work he has carried out on Indeed, Depot Sheet No. 426 of 23rd the engine but that rear axle spare parts that car has been heroic as he acquired it July 1923 which is exhaustive on the topic for post war cars up to the Shadow were as a heap of bits on a trailer. The original states that: almost exhausted. engine was a write-off, but Bob has it “Cases have come to our notice of Michael Forrest, in an article titled, engine rattle developing at about 26 or running, the chassis complete and the “Go-Faster Goodies” in RREC Bulletin 259 bodywork re-assembled and receiving the 28 miles per hour. It is important that the discusses rear axles. He is concerned about engine should not be allowed to run in this final adjustments. Another Twenty saved the load on the pinion at low speed and its by Bob from the scrapheap. state as the ‘life’ of the crankshaft or other thrust races at high speed. While his article Australia’s Favourite Twenty, GAK76 engine features may be imperilled. It can refers to Silver Ghost and Phantom I, clearly which is a Hooper Open Drive Limousine occur at full speed too but in practice, that the principles apply to Sir Henry’s little gem! is rarely attained. The fired gas pressure originally owned by L.K.S Mackinnon of impulses cause the crankshaft alternately He makes the point that at low speeds Stakes fame has had a new roof fitted. to wind up and unwind fractionally many with full torque in bottom gear, the loads A big job as not only did the polished times per minute. The longer and thinner on the pinion are greater with a low ratio wood panelling over the driver’s seat the shaft, the worse the problem. that they are with a higher ratio. He then need replacing, some of the framework did too and then the whole had to have Registrars new fabric fitted over the top. The job was made more difficult due to the fact Bryan Inder, 7 Pibrac Avenue, Tel: 02-9487-4153 that the fabric could not be fitted in one Registrar, Warrawee Fax: 02-9489-8323 piece. The trouble one has to go to, to fix Silver Ghost Register NSW, 2074 [email protected] a leak. The work has restored integrity to Peter Jordan-Hill, PO Box 54, Tel: 0412 204 321 the body frame. Registrar, Kalista, [email protected] 1928, GBM32, an original Martin and Small Horsepower Register Vic 3791 King Roadster has been fitted with a Frank Carroll, P.O. Box 6007, Tel: 07-5446-6881 higher ratio crown wheel and pinion. I Registrar, Upper Mt Gravatt, Fax: 07-3343-4299 have driven it recently and can confirm Derby Phantom Register QLD, 4122 [email protected] that the change has made an excellent car Mal Henderson, PO Box 150 Tel: 02-9542-8401 even better. Michael Forrest, referred to Registrar, Caringbah, [email protected] above, would approve. Derby Bentley Register NSW, 1495 Twentys in NSW John Harriman, Registrar, 5 Moor Street, Tel: 03-9598-6702 The recent NSW Concours saw three Silver Wraith, Silver Dawn, Sandringham, [email protected] Twentys in attendance, Bob Roberts Bentley MkVI and R-Type VIC, 3191 brought his recently acquired GUK76 Register which won a prize. Originally a Charlton Geoff Down, PO Box 18183 Tel: 03-9415-6760 car which, as usual with them, it lost its Registrar, Collins St East [email protected] body being replaced with the Bryden and Silver Cloud, Bentley S Series, Melbourne McKay saloon fitted presently. David Axe Phantom V and VI Register VIC, 8003 maintains that it was originally Smith and Waddington built probably removed Bill Coburn, Registrar, PO Box 1775 Tel: 02-6161-7316 from another Charlton car. The other two Silver Shadow, Bentley T Fyshwick Fax: 02-6296-5892 Twentys were, GA12, a very original Smith Series and Derivatives Register ACT, 2609 [email protected] and Waddington tourer and my 42G1. Bruce Duncan, Registrar, 5 Fadden Place, Tel: 02 9487 3095 Shearing with Wolseley Silver Spirit, Bentley Mulsanne Wahroona [email protected] Wolseley, a very British Car, by Anders and Related Types (SMART) NSW, 2076 Register Ditlev Clausager published in 2016 is very PRÆCLARVM 6-17 7299 News from the Registers

by Rolls-Royce plc. All three companies had difficulty in managing the inevitable downturn after over expansion due to war work. The Twenty, of course, was part of Rolls-Royce’s attempt to cope after World War I. The original shearing equipment company is still trading. Many veterans, as noted above, raced and were surprisingly fast (and dangerous). Præclarvm 5-2017 has a photo of ‘Genevieve‘ on page7623. George Gilltrap drove it in the 1965 International Veteran and Vintage Rally in New Zealand as I did in 42G1. ‘Geneveive’ passed me travelling at a genuine 60 miles per hour! A sight I shall never forget. I later learned that it had a 4 litre motor! Appearances can be deceiving! Another How to Drive: From; The Motor Mechanic’s Handbook, 1916. Hints on driving; Slow down for cattle and sheep; fowls can generally look after themselves. If the front wheels skid, there is no remedy - If a smash is inevitable, take out your clutch and duck your head. David Davis (NSW) 42G1

Silver Ghost Register

Memories of Henry Royce n November 2017 I fl ew via a Singapore Istopover to Siem Reap in Cambodia to visit the temples of Angkor Wat. I then fl ew onto New Delhi in India to see the Taj Mahal, a stunning and beautiful building and an important visitation on my ‘bucket list’! top: Silver Ghost Chassis # 23TG at her original home in Rural India. As Silver Ghost Registrar I felt it important to always fi nd an interesting above lower: Silver Ghost Chassis # 23TG as she appeared in the movie ‘Gandhi’. Note the different radiator core thought to be an Indian replacement adaption in lieu of normal factory Silver Ghost. As far as I could ascertain original honeycomb. there are no Silver Ghosts in Cambodia, however India is a different story. There interesting. The Company was started by team, and is quoted in the book as stating were a possible six hundred Silver Frederick Wolseley and Herbert Austin, that his research while at General Motors, Ghosts exported to India out of 6173 of Austin motor car fame, in Australia to showed that “a flat ride (as opposed to manufactured in the UK between 1907 make shearing equipment. The business pitching) was possible if we used front and 1925 and many of these Indian Silver was transferred to England and in addition springs which were softer than the rear Ghosts had elaborate ceremonial bodies. to shearing equipment, car manufacture although attempts to use extremely soft was commenced. A.J. Rowledge became springs with the conventional front axle My new best friend in India whom I Chief Draftsman and he refused to ride fell down badly, because of shimmy…and a had hoped to visit in New Delhi is Himmat in one of the Company’s 5hp cars as he general lack of stability in handling”. Kalsia. His grandfather was the second owner of a 1922 Silver Ghost Chassis considered it dangerous. He was later, The book points out the unique British #23TG with a Hooper tourer body. He had involved in the design of the Napier Lion attraction to 6 cylinder cars of modest purchased it from the original owner a Mr engine at Napier’s and the Merlin, at rating of which the Twenty has to be F.N. Pickett in the early 1920s about 95 Rolls-Royce. one. The reasons for this preference are years ago. After his grandfather’s death In 1902, Wolseley, under Austin stated as, a six is smoother than a four, the vehicle had lain in a garage in Rural entered racing with little success. Claude is more flexible with higher torque at low India for a number of years until Mr Raj Johnson was part of the team and acted revs aided by the long stroke then typical, Seth, a family friend and a doyen of the as general factotum. When one of the cars so fewer gear changes were required and vintage car movement in India rescued it. broke a crankshaft, Johnson was sent to one could do most of one’s motoring in top He got the vehicle up and running and it Paris to obtain another. He later became gear. was used in the movie ‘Gandhi’. Managing Director of Rolls-Royce. The Wolseley car business was bought Silver Ghost Chassis #23TG is now C.S. Rolls drove racing cars for by Vickers in 1901 for the purpose of undergoing a full restoration under Wolseley before meeting Royce. Other having petrol engines available for the Himmat, an exciting prospect especially identities involved with Wolseley in those submarines they were building for the considering it has been continually in days were S.F. Edge and J.D. Siddeley. Admiralty. It is ironic that Vickers later the same family for around 95 years. We Maurice Olley, while never at Wolseley’s bought the Rolls-Royce car business, eagerly await the completion. was a member of the Twenty’s design sold it and Vickers, in turn, was bought 7300 PRÆCLARVM 6-17 News from the Registers

entertainment. Final details are obviously yet to be established, but, before I fi nalise too many details, I would appreciate expressions of interest. No money is required, just let me know if there is something you might be interested in attending Please email me at [email protected]. org.au and I will know whether to continue to put it together or simply let it slide. (or contact: Mal Henderson 0457-244-331) p.s. my brother reliably informed me that at a recent VSCC event there were 4 breakdowns, 3 drivers and 1 car. Some of us are getting that way too! Mal Henderson (NSW) B111EJ, B201HM

Silver Wraith, Silver Dawn above: Silver Ghost Chassis # 23TG, on the visit to Segenhoe stud, which is a comfortable road side after running out of fuel recently and pleasant 20 min drive from Scone. It is and Bentley Mark VI/R Type on her drive to her new home. In ‘Ghost on a couple of thousand acres with about 5 Register Speak’ this is doing a Keith Wherry! kilometres frontage to the Hunter River. From my announcement for a Silver The property is very beautiful which is December Register Report Ghost Getaway in 2018 to the American to be expected when you have 6 full time ver 50 members enjoyed our weekend Rolls-Royce Owners’ Club National Meet gardeners looking after the details. This Ogetaway in Albury. at Lake Tahoe, California and the chance time of the year is foaling season, and there The motel is a great place for such an to follow onto Pebble Beach, I have had are about 100 foals expected over a couple event and our hosts were superb, looking a number of people expressing interest. of months. We would be given a full drive after us and leading the way. The dates are 11-18 August 2018, so keep around the stud as there are in excess of 30 these dates free in your diary and watch kilometres of internal sealed roads. Our Saturday drive took us to the Dartmouth Dam, where we heard all about this space in future issues of Præclarvm. We will also be granted a walk in the foals its interesting history, and then on to the The American Club is keen to have paddock. There are 10 or 15 mares with their Mitta Mitta pub for lunch. A delightful overseas visitors, especially Australians. foals in each paddock. The foals will be up to picturesque spot nestled in the bend of a Sending you complements of the 8 weeks old. bubbling stream. A bit Englishy? A really season and hoping all your wishes for a Segenhoe works very hard on handling lovely scenic drive and the weather was fun Silver Ghost year come true in 2018. their horses every day so they are very quiet good for us. Buffet dinner and a trivia night Bryan Inder (NSW) 12HG and friendly. The foals will walk up to you, completed the day. sniff you over and probably try to nibble any Sunday saw us heading west, starting loose ends, this is really very special. As an with a visit to KJR Coachbuilders workshop. aside some of them could be worth 7 fi gures, Derby Bentley Register Very interesting to see the superb so they are also excellent quality stock. workmanship in progress and the variety of e are proposing a Derby rally in mid- The stud has many buildings but not the projects under way. Then on to a brief WSeptember 2018. enough accommodation to handle our tour of the lovely old town of Chiltern then It’s a number of years since such an numbers. There is the old Tyrrells winery on to lunch at Bullers Winery, where they event has occurred and so we are planning building which we can use as covered area really made an effort to make us feel very to rectify that. for an event or function including the cars. welcome, complete with a tour and tasting The proposal is as follows: If we have suffi cient interest we may have session. Our night concluded with a convivial A la Carte dinner. The rally will be based at Scone, in the a Bar-b-Que at the stud. The fi nal details Hunter Valley. will depend on the interest and participants On Monday morning, we capped off with wishes. a private tour of our hosts home and garage. Accommodation will be provided by Airlie Ray, a fellow member, has a fascinating House Motel, 3.5 stars and a 15% discount There are a number of other places of home and a garage and car collection that is on their normal rates. It isn’t expensive. It is interest in the upper Hunter Valley with so enviable. Thanks Ray and your family and based around an old country mansion and vineyards and coal mining being the other 2 to Steve who kept us all on track! has good relatively private parking. It can large activities in the valley. handle about 30 cars. Glenbawn dam is very close to the stud. We did have a Technical Session , a good hands on one, and, yes we did get to sample Arrive Scone Friday 14/9/18 and Murrurundi has an art gallery which has sister some members ageing Malts, as we ofttimes leave Scone on Monday 17/9/18. galleries owned by the same person in Sydney and Berlin, very interesting spread. do! All up good fun. Those travelling any distance might As Registrar I thank all friends for like to arrange with fellow members from It may be possible to visit one of the open supporting our weekends, on a personal nearby their base to form a small group cut mines, just the sheer size is incredible as level it is great to catch up with our interstate and travel together to the Rally. A group of one of them has the largest drag line (it digs mob, you all make this event be what it is! NSW members did that to the last rally in out vast quantities of coal) in the southern And great to see a few new brave faces. Beechworth and that was a very pleasant hemisphere. couple of days simply driving to the event. There is a hatted restaurant in Scone Next year our weekend will be organised I don’t recall if we returned as a group or which specialises in steaks (you are in the by members of the NSW branch, ably led by separately. country) and if we book early we may be able the indefatigable Robyn Henderson. No more need be said, just keep the weekend free in Of the 2 full days in Scone I propose a to get in. Another alternative is a dinner at the motel with a bush poet to provide some September and await news. PRÆCLARVM 6-17 7301 News from the Registers

DAWN PATROL XVII - 2018 - Friday 21/9/18 to Sunday 24/9/18 Nothing technical this report, and Harriet’s been getting out and about now that the weather has fi nally improved. Happy Driving John Harriman (Vic) SBA74

Dawn Patrol XVI September 2017 egister cars include Mark VI Bentley, RR type Bentley, Dawn short and long boot and Silver Wraith. Generally from 1946 to 1956. Due to the wool boom Australia was the second largest overseas market for these vehicles. I recall as a young child that York Motors fl ew a mechanic to Armidale, NSW, (quiet a big deal in those days as there were no commercial fl ights) to check on a Dawn that failed to proceed. Naturally the ‘Wool Baron’ Jones and his son, Stephen, who helped above: ‘The Gov’na’, John Harriman, was picked the mechanic up in the Mark organise the complete weekend! intimately involved in the running repairs to Peter Anderson’s, 1951, Silver Dawn (SFC26) VI. He explained to the mechanic that The southerners came up to see the turning the works into a ‘Technical Session’. the Dawn had stopped suddenly for northerners and the northerners came below upper: There were many non-Register “no reason”. As soon as he entered the down to see the southerners so this cars on the Patrol, adding to the interest property he wheeled off the road and report will not be doing a travelogue with and excitement of the weekend tour. This drove across the paddock to where attached menu. photo shows (r-l) Roger & Beverley Cooke’s the Dawn was sitting all by itself. The Everything was managed by the motel 2004 Continental GT (BE420471), Mike & mechanic noted the stump that had including all drives and meals and we paid Linda Eames’, 1968 Silver Shadow MPW Drop removed the sump and the trail of oil. Head (CRH5014) and Robert Eadie’s, 2008 a single account to the motel on Monday Continental Flying Spur (BE855509). The owner could not understand how morning for all activities. Quite unique, below bottom: Standing here are Patrol Cars that had stopped the car! very effi cient and convenient. The motel with Register members closest: (l-r) Peter & This year’s Patrol was held and based washed our windscreens every morning Yvette Hiscock’s 1951 Silver Dawn (SDB84) at the Quality Resort Siesta motel in which was a lovely touch too. It is certain and Registrar, John Harriman and Kate Stock’s Albury, owned by Victorian Member Ray that we would all recommend the motel. 1949 Silver Dawn (SBA74).

7302 PRÆCLARVM 6-17 News from the Registers

left and left lower: Members were pleased to visit KJR Coachbuilders’ garage for an inspection of his cars and a casual discussion about car collecting and maintenance in the “country”.

linkages were adjusted the problem went away. The mounting will need attention on return to Tassie, but the problem was solved and I think many people were educated somewhat. There was much entertainment when all the experts tried to climb into the car for the test run. We couldn’t fi t even with the sunroof open. I have heard nothing more so must presume the car returned to Tassie without incident. As usual a great weekend with great company. Isn’t that what our Club is all about. Mal Henderson (NSW)

Shadow & T Register

Something for those Spare Days ong ago’ I gave up trying to ascertain ‘Lwhy owners of our cars join THE CLUB! Predictably, reasons hover around ‘meeting socially with people of similar tastes’. Given that we live in a fairly relaxed environment in this country, the word ’tastes’ is carefully avoids describing the character, interests, education, social status of owners and certainly the status of their bank account! Predictably the ‘personal spectrums’ of our members is as wide as courteous gatherings will tolerate. Hence, I offered to provide a place of reference for owners and ‘devotees’ of The atmosphere as always was reinstalled and the problem remained. the Silver Shadow allowing me to rejoice very convivial and the butler, Robert Further learned discussion resulted in the title of ‘Registrar! Whitehead, kept ‘the Gov’na’, John in the conclusion that it might be the While I have never owned one of these Harriman, on the ball with a not so linkages. cars I have by default had considerable gentle wind up when Robert deemed it The theory is that the rear engine necessary. They did a great job. mounting cops some grease and oil. We did visit Dartmouth Dam and That causes the mounting to deteriorate. below: The web page directory of the au.rrforums.net website where discussions Buller’s vineyard. No shortage of food That allows the motor to move slightly on all things Rolls-Royce and Bentley can and drink. which cramps the linkages. When the occur. Why do we attend these events? Simply put it’s the people who attend and the company they provide; they are all good fun. I thank all who attended for their company. There were about 40 vehicles on the Patrol, all post-war. Not that many register cars, but that doesn’t matter. We did have a technical session. Peter Anderson’s (NSW) 1951, Tasmanian based, Silver Dawn (SFC26) suddenly developed an annoying habit of over-revving (all the time). This was a very informative session teaching more practical matters than a more teaching session on dismantling One Shot valves might. Fortunately, there was a great brains trust and some of them actually knew what they were talking about. The carburettor was removed analysed and checked for any imperfections. It was

PRÆCLARVM 6-17 7303 News from the Registers

experience with them. Refl ecting, the conducted tour over the building. Time to initiative of producing the model was SMART Register explore the Japanese POW camp remains extremely bold from the aspects of and visit the magnifi cent Japanese design philosophy, production techniques Gardens. A quick trip to Canowindra to SMART WEEKEND and customer tastes. Yet they survived see the “Age of Fishes” museum. One of 8, 9, 10 & 11 June 2018 and thousands of these cars are still only two in the world. (Queens Birthday long weekend) on the road fortunately, much loved Pleasant driving mainly along quiet ou are cordially invited to join us for and understood. They are complex, country roads. Easy parking at all venues. an interesting and packed weekend in yet accessible and well supported by Y Interesting sights to see and excellent June 2018. parts sources. Moreover, if driving a meals. It should be a packed, fun weekend conspicuous car is your wish a well- Here’s what to do: with a group of like-minded people. kept ’66 model will always turn heads in Book your accommodation with the If you need more information please progress! Cowra Services Motel, ph 6341 1999 or don’t hesitate to email or telephone 0447- What is so fortunate is that whilst some email [email protected]. Make 242-371 or 02-9487-3095. features of these cars are bordering on sure you let them know you are part of the Bruce Duncan (NSW) unique, even the most closeted mechanic RROCA group. At this motel the cars are (B255LH, ASK26816) can usually fathom how to ‘fi x’ the old girl. parked out of sight of the street plus the But what is most important is that there area is securely gated. below: The very relaxing Japanese are now many, many owners, mechanics When you have secured your Gardens at the site of the Cowra Japanese and students of these cars who can be accommodation please email me at POW Camp will be a feature of the 2018 consulted and it is indeed rare that a car smart@register. SMART Weekend. fi nishes up ‘parked under a tree for seven rroc.org.au so I know years, abandoned to the weather’. you are coming and I The message I am trying to offer is can make sure you that owning one of these cars in not a are kept up to date luxurious version of your ‘nice little car’ with what is planned. in the car port waiting patiently to take Your rally fee of you to work at your wish, but instead is $225 covers dinner a wondrous historic mechanical collation on Friday, Saturday of ideas and effort from a very dedicated and Sunday as well team some fi fty years ago. In short, their as your entry to the dedication deserves ‘loyalty’ from current Japanese Gardens owners. in Cowra, Iandra Stop!!! Take your overalls off and Castle and the “Age put the spanners away, sit down, pour of Fishes” museum, yourself a libation and refl ect on the Canowindra as well as a bus to and from IT’S ON NEXT JUNE! status of your ownership of one of these Sunday evening’s black tie dinner. cars! Tomorrow, refl ect on what needs to We welcome any model Rolls-Royce or The 2018 SMART Register be done and start researching how you Bentley to join us for this weekend. Weekend Away can do it or how to get it done. Lunch on Saturday and Sunday will is being planning for the June long Most important, be aware that be you own care at selected cafes. On weekend: we have a web site au.rrforums.net Saturday there is a maze and garden you Friday 8 to Monday 11, 2018 where owners, repairers, enquirers and may like to explore. A small extra charge Accommodation has been despairers coalesce to share their stories. will be made by the owners if you wish to reserved, meals booked and a few This site is world famous, is privately participate. interesting drives including a night owned and guarded more carefully than The Cowra Services Club will provide a visit to a local observatory and by the Palace Guard! hot and cold buffet breakfast on Saturday participation in the Henry Lawson Lastly, having found the web site and Sunday the cost of which can be Festival at Grenfell, NSW. referred to, indulge yourself in the charged to your motel room. We will be based in Cowra so we ‘liberties’ of a young man who it seemed, Please note: in an effort to contain can visit the Japanese POW camp very capably ‘modifi ed’ one of our cars costs over a busy weekend we have not as well as the Japanese Gardens. into a ‘beast’, the display of which I must included any allowance for drinks so all It will be a busy weekend. confess, stirred glands in my old body drinks will be your own care. We will include a black tie dinner in that I had forgotten existed!!!! To book your place please transfer the an elegant venue. Over to you! amount of $225 to the following bank Contact Cowra Services Motel to Bill Coburn (ACT) account: make your booking on B45CT, ANE10059 Rolls-Royce Owners’ Club of Australia 02-6341-1999 below: The American revised Shadow with (NSW branch) Inc. and let them know you are part of all cooling system in the boot to allow a the Rolls-Royce group. BSB: 082-356 Account No: 02796 4256 very large turbo to be positioned in front of This motel has the engine. Reference: Your surname plus SMART gated on-site parking. (e.g. Smith SMART ) If you book accommodation please All bookings and payment must be advise me by email so I can keep made by May 15 as the suppliers require you posted with details as we move fi nal numbers by this date. After 15 May forward. any refunds will be dependent upon the various suppliers agreeing to refund Still waiting on a few costings, how- payments already made. ever, it is looking like around $225 per head plus your accommodation. We will visit Grenfell and take part in the Henry Lawson Festival for a short time. Bruce Duncan A visit to an interesting castle including a [email protected]

7304 PRÆCLARVM 6-17 Book Reviews Market Place

they clothed and some statistical analysis. Coachwork appreciation is one of the dark arts and requires a bit of scepticism so there’s the occasional misinterpretation of some bodies. For example, the drophead attributed to Thrupp (the coachbuilders when new) on pages 140-41 is in fact a postwar rebody, perhaps by Mead. There could also have been a little more delving 1933 Rolls Royce 20/25hp (GWX79) into period sources and even some The original Park Ward body was replaced later ones to avoid claims of no known 1946-48 for one with a Silver Wraith photograph for some cars, for example appearance, later headlights and grille, repositioned. Built by UK craftsmen under Connaught, or the lack of chassis Coachwork on Derby owners supervision then imported into number with some images. As for the Australia in 1949. Has build sheets and Bentleys, 1933-1940 bodies Eddie Hall used on his famous history, more in Sunburnt Country. Price by James Taylor. Publ by B35AE racer, the all-metal Potts (not $44,900.00 Contact Paul on 0417-533-194 Herridge & Sons, 2017. mentioned) rather than the Offord or email [email protected] 199 pages, was fi rst used for racing. As the author 360 illus, admits, Hall’s car has caused endless 8 5/8 in x 10 7/8 in (22cm x confusion. But these are small niggles 27.5cm), in such comprehensive coverage. ISBN 978-1-906133-75-7, £40 The book has 280 modern images, his comprehensive overview of about 40 of them recent professional Tthe Derby Bentley’s coachwork photography, and 80 period images emphasises once again what a (mostly at small size). This makes for a successful line this was for the Bentley sumptuous mix, especially for coverage of the more stylish cars. However, 1938 Derby Bentley (B158 LS) Featured marque’s new owners, Rolls-Royce in Autocar March 1938 edition and the Ltd., despite some initial weaknesses this can cause some imbalance in our understanding of what the cars British VSCC 2010 spring edition. Federal in the Derby chassis. With 2,411 Concours Class winner 2009. Rare top hat, produced (plus a handful of Mk Vs) were like new. So many have now razor edge Freestone and Webb body with there was ample scope for variety in been restored and changes made, Marchal headlamps and overdrive. Current coachwork. James Taylor’s book sits such as non-period colour schemes owners 10 years, attended many RROCA neatly alongside two related volumes and glamourised interiors (or worse), rallies. Body-off restoration with major mechanical restoration over the years. from the same publisher, the late making it diffi cult to know what’s correct or not. Still, imagine using Able to undertake long journeys. Would Nick Walker’s Coachwork on vintage consider an S Series as part exchange. Price Bentleys and Walker’s Bentley 3 1/2 & mainly modern photography for W. O. Bentleys - you’d gain the impression $150,000: call Evan on 0419-918-196 or 4 1/4 litre 1933-40 in detail. Owners email [email protected] are well served. they were all Le Mans types from new! With the Derby Bentley far more of the This new volume is self-indexing original coachwork survives. And this by its alphabetical arrangement of useful book is a welcome reminder of coachbuilders. Potted histories are just how attractive most Derby Bentley given for each coachbuilder followed coachwork was. by complete listings of the chassis Tom Clarke (WA)

1935 3½ litre Derby Bentley (B66FB) off test 08/36. Drophead Coupe body Sir Henry by Roger Fry completed 2009. Variation of Oxborrow & Fuller design. Less than 1,000 km since restoration and rebuild. Royce Foundation Overdrive. Blue/cream with blue leather. Price $265,000. Contact Jeremy on 08- 9457-2629 Mob 0416-192-122 or email: 2018 Calendar [email protected] Mail order Calendars can be ordered from [email protected] $30 ($20 for the calendar and $10 express post delivery). Copies can also be collected from our agents in the various states: ACT - Ian Irwin; NSW - Brian Crump; SA - David Furniss; VIC - Tim Dean ; WA - Mick Rust. FOR SALE: Trunk/box for Vintage Car. The Foundation is fi nanced entirely by donations and all profi ts from the Period box in good order, and only being calendars are for the benefi t of the Foundation to carry out its Charitable sold as I feel it is a bit large for the car I have Objects for the advancement of the science and technology of mechanical purchased. Excellent nickel attachments to engineering for the public benefi t and the advancement of education. the box. Measurements: 880 cm long; 500 cm wide; and 610 cm high. Price $600.00 Contact Bob Ph: 0407-002-350 . PRÆCLARVM 6-17 7305 Market Place - Classifi ed Advertising 1934 Rolls Royce 20/25 (GLB27) Cecilia is in superb condition and drives beautifully. Maintains her original Martin & King close-couple Saloon Coupé Body. Detailed history fi le from new. Registered on NSW Historic Vehicle plates. Very reluctant sale due to downsizing. Offers in the region of $125,000. Contact David on 0429-006- 225.

1929 Rolls-Royce 20/25 (GXO21)A lovely vintage Rolls-Royce in excellent condition. 1930 Melbourne Motor Show as a chassis, oldest 20/25 in Australia and the 10th made. The English coachwork by Motor Bodies Engineering Co. Ltd. (ex 20hp GUK21) fi tted in the 80’s before being stored for 30 years. 6 wheel equipped; tyres still 95%. Engine starts instantly with great oil pressure and runs cool. A 1,600km tour just been completed without any issues. GXO21 has been entered into the Shannons Feb 2018 Auction, estimate $90 to $110K (unless sold beforehand). Contact Mark on 0451-289-789 or email; ma.roberts@ live.com.au mark nugent

1979 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II (SRH36642). Caribbean Blue, traditional coachbuilders Historic Rego to Dec 2017. 200,000km. Perfect condition throughout. www.marknugent.com.au Owner for 20yrs and maintained to R-R specs. Recent new tyres and brakes overhauled. Many times winner Concours d’Elegance. 02 6881 8999 Manuals available. Best offer over $30,000 Call Eric 02- 9599-3413 Arncliffe NSW

1982 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur (ANC04292) Light Burgundy Paint with Beige Ever fl ex roof. Large fi le of receipts for repairs performed. Near new tyres. Strong engine with 154,120km’s, reconditioned automatic transmission. Reconditioned radiator. Refi nished wood work by Carwood, stainless steel exhaust-quieter than standard. Body in good condition. Paint repairs required to driver’s door & driver’s side rear passenger door. Interior in good condition & partially removed. Being sold as is. Price: 2014 FLYING SPUR W12 2007 ARNAGE RL (BAE 91384) (BE719520) $9,000. Contact Edward Current model in elegant Silver Frost Very rare long wheelbase Arnage. on 0419-322-008 with Imperial Blue hide. Long list of special features. Many options Excellent value. Truly the ultimate Arnage $259,777.00 + ORC $169,777.00 + ORC 1998 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit (ASJ23685) This Spirit is in immac- ulate condition. White on white with navy blue carpet it has been very well maintained by John Vawser Motors and only travelled 88,890 km. Recently purchased new battery, tyres and MP3 Stereo. Sadly due to re- locating our loss is your gain. Any inspection will 2005 CONTINENTAL GT 1981 SILVER SPIRIT not disappoint. Price: (BE634434) (ASA01198) $39,990, call: Damien Two owner car with Mulliner Driving The very fi rst Silver Spirit delivered Specifi cation. 2006 model with soft- in Australia! Well maintained . 0407-507-588 or email: close doors. Four GTs in stock. Very usable. Three Spirits in stock. [email protected] $89,777.00 + ORC $29,777 + ORC

Visit our NEW WEBSITE for our latest arrivals

FOR SALE: Bentley Literature: Rivers Fletcher. Bentley Past and Present. www.davidekberg.com.au Mint copy. $50; Kenneth Ullyett, The Book of the Bentley. 1953. $70; A.F.C. Hilstead. Those Bentley Days.. 1953. No d/cover. Evocative history. 14-16 George St, Sandringham VIC, 3191 $55; W.O. Bentley. W.O. An Autobiography. $45. All good condition. ph: 03 9533 5777 Variety of other miscellaneous W.O. Bentley materials, please enquire. LMCT 10169 Postage extra. Contact Ian 0413-582-687 [email protected] 7306 PRÆCLARVM 6-17 Præclarvm Advertising PRESTIGE MECHANICS Information: Classified advertisements must be factual and accurate. Persons misrepresenting cars, parts or services will be denied further ROLLS-ROYCE & BENTLEY use of this space. Ads for cars for sale must include chassis number and asking price. Ads may be edited to optimise use of available space MECHANICAL SPECIALISTS and to conform to a standard format, and may be rejected at the • Engine & Gearbox Rebuilds discretion of the Editor without discussion. Photographs: Digital prints are preferred, please forward by email • Brakes & Suspension or CD. • Steering & General Servicing Dealers: Parties dealing in motor cars must, where required by law, quote their dealer’s licence number and comply with all other statutory • Full Restoration requirements relating to their advertising. • Pre-purchase Inspections Cost: Full Page: $600; Half Page $320; Quarter Page $160. Ads with • Auto Electrical Repairs photograph are free to non-trade members and are placed in up to two consecutive issues. Non-members are charged $38 (inc. GST) for • Mobile Service ad and photograph. Trade ads at commercial rates. Where applicable, • New and Used Parts cheques made payable to RROCA must accompany advertising copy. Send ads to the Editor at: 1630 Malvern Road, Glen Iris, VIC, 3146. Phone Bob Evenden Mob: 0401-987-808 Tel: 03-9886-9024. (07) 55 632475 OR 0400 085789 Email: [email protected] Note: Præclarvm allows advertisements to support owners/enthusiasts on the Gold Coast, Queensland at: and to allow businesses to promote themselves and make people aware of the services they offer. Præclarvm cannot and does not recommend 21 DEMAND AVENUE, ARUNDEL, 4214 or endorse the advertising businesses or offer any comment on the [email protected] quality of the services provided. Anyone contacting these services should satisfy themselves in the normal way as to the standard of prestigemechanics.com.au services offered, by asking for references if necessary. Damaged or non-running cars bought for cash Mastercard / Visa / AMEX all welcome - no extra charge Next deadline: 15 January 2018 for the February 2018 Edition.

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 6-17 7307 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.