Vintage postbag, March 1970

A Royal Rolls-Royce

Sir,

I have been most interested to read your two articles on F. L. Rapson. In particular a paragraph in February’s edition of Rapson working on shock-absorberless suspension system to complement his tyres on the Prince of Wales’ new car. The photograph is of a Rolls Royce bought by my grandfather in late 1918 or 1919 from the Prince of Wales. Apparently the car had been out at the front during the war, hence the searchlights. My grandfather had the car for some time, but it caused much attention wherever it went, with the searchlights and two bullet holes in the driver’s door where the chauffeur had been killed whilst at the wheel.

The tyres fitted, and spares, seem to be a variety of different tread patterns, presumably some or perhaps all are Rapsons, or is the diamond tread one a Collier? I suppose you don’t by any chance know the whereabouts of this car? (Reg. no. FC 1340)

Barnes,
F. W. Price