ROYAL VISIT CAR FLEET
ALTHOUGH the Royal yacht Britannia and aircraft are being used extensively to carry the Royal party, a number of oars are required for the Royal visit to New Zealand.
The number will vary from place to place because cars from the four main centres will generally be used only in districts near their bases.
The Royal cars are two Rolls-Royce Phantom Fives (seven-seatere), a RollsRoyce Silver Cloud Three (five-seater), a Ford Galaxie Sunliner convertible, and a specially adapted Land Rover.
The two Rolls-Royce Phantoms are 19tft Ilin Jong and Bft 4an wide, and are capable of well over 100 miles
an hour. The arm-rests of the back seat contain controls for ventilation, a cigar lighter, light switches ana radio. Seat belts are fitted. Step boards, concealed by the doons, and covered with fluted and strip rubber, are arranged hi stainless steel channels to provide walk-in and walk-out access to the rear compartment for formal occasions.
Electrically-powered radio aerials are provided. The touch of a button makes an aerial rise from its socket on the right front mudguard or sink out of sight Steering is power-assisted and three independent servo-assisted
braking systems make the cars among the safest in the world. The cars are fitted with two-way radios.
The Phantom Fives are the first Rolls-Royces in New Zealand with four headlights. The Galaxie two-door convertible has power-operated
seats, windows and hood. It has silver-grey and ivory upholstery. All other cars will be provided by the Post Office, as will be all 140 drivers.
The Royal cars will be driven by Mr H. E. Symonds, head chauffeur in the Public Service Garage, Wellington, and Mr N. Collingwood, senior head chauffeur at Chctotchurch, the relief driver.
In toe Ntorth hfaad toe Royal am will be driven between pants on toe Mtoeracy at nigbtt. In toe South Island, however, several air moves will be necessary, because of the distances to be covered, and to enable tbe RaHs-Royces and Galaxie to be used at all pointe. R.N.ZA.F. aircraft will be used.
A seven-sealer RniUs-aoyee and the Ford Galaxie wiM be flown from Wefflangton to Nelson on February 13 to join the other seven-water shipped there the previous
day. A seven-seater will be flown from Nelson to Blenheim while toe .Queen is being driven overland. The Galaxie and a sevenseater will be flown from Blenheim and the other
seven-seater will be driven to Christchurch to await the Royal party. The five-seater Rolls-Royce will be taken to Lyttelton by inter-island ferry on February 13 and driven to Dunedin,
The Galaxie and a sevenseater will be flown from Blenheim to Dunedin. A seven-seater—the car used to carry the Queen from Dunedin city to toe airport—will be flown to Christchurch on February 16 alter toe Queen leaves.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CII, Issue 30051, 8 February 1963, Page 9
Word Count
462ROYAL VISIT CAR FLEET Press, Volume CII, Issue 30051, 8 February 1963, Page 9
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