Unique Cars

Northern Advocate, 22 July 1939, Page 6 (Supplement)

Unique Cars

Four motor-cars of a kind never before seen in Canada were made in that country by General Motors and the Ford and Chrysler companies for the use of King George and Queen Elizabeth for their recent tour through Canada and the United States. The cars are stated to have been more royal than the royal trains provided, for while the trains were of a standard design, the four cars were designed and built with a view to the fact that royal etiquette decrees that no» one may sit with his back to Their Majesties. The cars, two Buicks, one Ford and one Chrysler, were built so that reversed seats were installed facing the rear seats, in order that supporting dignitaries or other members of the royal entourage who drove with the King and Queen were thus enabled to keep their faces turned toward them. The steel panelling of the bodies of the cars and the circle of safety glass

which protected Their Majesties when the collapsible tops had been lowered, were made bullet-proof. Ample clearance was provided so that there would be room for King George to wear a plumed hat during many of his public appearances in Canada and the United States.

To provide against rain while the car tops were down, a special compartment was provided in a drawer, beneath the driver’s seat, for a waterproof lap robe and two umbrellas. The driver of each car was isolated from the royal compartment to such an extent that communication with him was possible only by the use of an installed dictaphone. In order to allow perfect timing, a clock was placed below the dictaphone.

The passengers' compartment in the Ford built car was upholstered with powder blue broadcloth, a favourite colour of Queen Elizabeth.

All four cars, which outwardly were finished in royal maroon, had a specially long chassis—the overall length of the vehicles being about 20 feet. On account of their extreme length, it was deemed advisable that one of the machines be driven through some of the very narrow streets and round sharp corners. which characterise parts of the royal route through the old city of Quebec, to make sure that same could be negotiated without difficulty.