The Enfield

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Sir,

The enclosed photograph is that of an Enfield. My late father bought this car in April, 1913. He sold it in 1924 when he bought the most peculiar-bodied Rolls-Royce owner-driver saloon. The Enfield was dark green in colour with a buff canvas hood. It had a 4-cylinder engine. Unfortunately I remember very little about it. On his return to England in 1919 my father had the lamps converted to electricity; a most exciting development! You will notice that, in the photo, the gas generator for the headlamps is shown. The badges on the upper tank of the radiator are of interest. The one on the header tank consisted of a brass circle on which was inscribed in green, the word ENFIELD (at the top); in the centre a stand of arms (similar to BSA) and below, “MADE LIKE A GUN”. In the centre of the radiator was a very large representation of a 13 pdr. gun made of aluminium, about 10 in. by 6 in.

The petrol tank was situated under the front passenger’s seat and held, I think, about six gallons, and the car had a spray and compression taps to be primed before starting. The cruising speed was 25 m.p.h. and the maximum ever attained, that I can remember, was 50 m.p.h.

In the enclosed photo the passengers are: In the front seat, my grandmother; in the rear, my grandfather, Admiral Rooke and my mother. My father took the picture.

Basil Karslake – Worthing.