Luxury Cars In Collision

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30054, 12 February 1963, Page 12

Luxury Cars In Collision

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, Feb. 11. The £3OOO Ford Galaxie used by the Queen for all fineweather drives was extensively damaged front and rear today in a three-car accident in a Royal procession. Its only occupant, the driver, was unhurt.

The Galaxie ran into the back of a spare five-seater Rolls-Royce, and a loaded police car ran into the back of the Galaxie. The concertina collision occurred on the Aotea quay overbridge near the start of a 15-mile drive to functions at Taita, Hutt Valley.

A police qflicer said the accident occurred when the Rolls-Royce suddenly stopped The gleaming black Galaxie convertible has been used in every North Island town but Wellington where wet, windy weather today forced the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh to travel in an enclosed seven-seater Rolls-Royce. The damaged car was imported especially by the Ford Company, which lent it to tht Government for the tour. It has travelled only 1600 miles. Most of the Galaxie’s accessories are electrically controlled. The vehicle contains a mass of electrical equipment linking it by radio with other Royal cars and the Royal yacht. The Galaxie has given hundreds of thousands of spectators a first-class view of the Royal couple and the Queen has shown a great

preference for it in fine weather, generally sitting on top of the back of the rev seat, ano often standing to let crowds get a better view of her.

Tonight the transport officer for the tour, Mr S G. Mudge, said that both the damaged Galaxie and the Rolls-Royce “would be on the road tomorrow." He said Public Service garage mechanics in Wellington would work throughout the night on the cars, panel beating and re-painting them.