Romulus revived

From Lord Montagu of Beaulieu

Sir,

I have been following the correspondence with regard to “Romulus” with great interest and I for one, and all at the National Motor Museum, are very pleased that “Romulus” has been restored and run again. It has been the Museum’s policy for the past twenty-five years to be a live Museum.

I should, however, like to record that it was a specific instruction by H.R.H. Princess Elizabeth Chula at the time that she handed over “Romulus” on permanent loan to the Museum that it should remain in exactly the same state as when she and her late husband, Prince Chula, inhibited it and put it to rest. The Museum respected her wishes down to the last detail, even when it came to a time when the exterior appearance of “Romulus” was far below the standards of the other cars in the Racing Section at Beaulieu.

It was always Princess Chula’s contention that since there was not one single ERA in existence in its original condition, it would be right historically, particularly in memory of her husband, that “Romulus” should be allowed to rest in peace, except for an occasional demonstration, but she was adamantly against racing.

I only hope, however, that those who are responsible for “Romulus’s” future will bear in mind Prince and Princess Chula’s wishes and not put the car at too great a risk nor modify or alter it too much, so that there will be one original ERA left to be admired by future generations.

I was somewhat surprised at Denis Jenkinson’s remark in another part of the August issue about “Romulus” “mouldering in the National Motor Museum”. D.S.J. knows only too well that Museum cars of all sorts are raced and it is a rather unfortunate comment coming from somebody who is advisor to the excellent Donington Motor Museum, whose policy, as far as I know, is identical to ours with regard to the use of cars.

MONTAGU OF BEAULIEU

Beaulieu, Hants.

[We understand that D.S.J. is enlarging on this subject—the above is but one of many more letters received about Romulus—see also page 1053.—Ed]

[“Mouldering” was used as a relative term. – D.S.J.]