KING’S NEW CARS.

Southland Times, Issue 19395, 8 November 1924, Page 19 (Supplement)

KING’S NEW CARS.

ALL MODERN IMPROVEMENTS. Although horse-drawn State coaches and royal carriages still figure from time to time in ceremonials, modern means of locomotion are no less necessary to his Majesty, King George V than to the busiest of his subjects throughout the Empire. Fourteen years have now elapsed since the 57 h.p. six-cylinder Daimler saloon, bearing the Royal Arms, began to become a familiar sight to Londoners. Now this vehicle, though still thoroughly serviceable, is being replaced by others of more up-to-date design, and Messrs Straton-Instone Ltd., of Pall Mall, have received the Royal command to supply two new 57 h.p. Daimler chassis to be fitted with saloon bodies by Messrs Hooper and Co. (coachbuilders) Ltd., of St. James’s street, and two other similar chassis to be fitted with special shooting brake bodies. All the motor bodies of the cars owned by the King, the Queen, Queen Alexandra, the Duke of Connaught, and Prince Arthur of Connaught are “Hooper-built,” as were those of his Majesty, tho late King Edward. Founded more than one hundred years ago, the firm of Hooper from the very first represented the highest standard of British coach-building. The firm still owns a carriage built by them for Prince George of Cambridge in 1845. More recently, Hooper’s prepared and decorated Queen Victoria’s Jubilee carriage. Later, they built the great State landau for the coronation of King Edward the VII. For sixty years they were coachbuilders to Queen Victoria and for thirty years they have fulfilled the same functions for King George. The Royal Warrants granted to them run unbroken from 1830. The King’s new Daimler chassis are unusual, inasmuch as the firm’s current range does not normally include 57 h.p. sixcylinder cars. A limited number have, however, been specially constructed, those not required for the royal service having been taken over by Messrs Stratton-Instone for disposal in the ordinary course of business. As regards the chassis, a salient feature is, of course, the powerful six-cylinder sleeve-valve engine with Daimler lubrication system and two entirely independent ignition systems. The engine drives through a single plate clutch and a four-speed gear box and finally through Daimler-Lanchester underhung worm gearing. A feature is the four-wheeled braking system on the latest Daimler principle. This gives complete immunity froni skidding, and a single adjustment takes Up the wear of all four sets of brake shoes without disturbing their correct setting. The adjustment is made by a hand wheel, situated in an accessible position under the bonnet. The wheelbase of the King’s care is no fess than 13ft 6ins, but nevertheless the designers of the chassis and coachwork have managed to avoid producing an effect of excessive size. Exceptional head room is, in fact, provided, a very necessary feature since the occupants must often wear specially high head-dresses. Nevertheless, the general appearance is symmetrical and does not give the impression of great height. The coachwork throughout is as near perfection as human skill can render possible. The finish is dignified nad simple. The exterior fittings are of brass, but even this metal is not greatly in evidence, so that there is nothing ornate about the look of the cars. These are painted in royal claret picked out with vermillion, the royal arms being beautifully hand-painted on each side and ou the back panel. The doors are made specially wide, not only to facilitate entry and exit, but also in order that the clearest possible view of the royal occupants may be afforded to those watching the passage of the oar. With this same consideration in mind, their Majesties do not use the back seat, but are accommodated in two fixed bucket seats comfortably situated midway between the points of conact of the four wheels with the ground. The back seat is used by equerries and ladies in attendance, the ordinary,., distribution of accommodation being m that respect reversed. The interior fittings are all of silver and are carried in Very plain but Elegant mahogany mounts with no inlay work. The King’s cars are, of course, privileged to dispense with the ordinary number plates. During the day they may be readily identified by the display of the Royal Standard and at night a special blue signal lamp is carried so that the police may at once distinguish the car and give it right of way.