Fig. 1 In 1908, Rolls had the 70 hp 40/50 chassis number 60785 sent to the well-regarded H.J. Mulliner coachbuilding company, and fitted with a unique body. Officially a roadster style, it featured a large rear platform for storing the wicker basket of a small hot air balloon, and even had patent leather flexible rear fenders to make loading and unloading the basket much easier. It quickly picked up the unofficial name of the Balloon Car.
Fig. 2 Charles Stewart Rolls (left) and Miss Vera Hedges Butler (center) in the gondola of a gas balloon. The lady at right has been identified by a reader as the Hon. Mrs. May Constance Assheton Harbord (née Cunigham), who was the first woman in the United Kingdom to earn an aeronaut’s certificate. The gentleman to the rear is not known at this time.
DRIVEN BY PERFECTION
· Any look at his remarkable life work reveals a driven, even obsessive character with a relentless work ethic forged in childhood poverty and frequent adversity.
The quest for perfection extended to every aspect of Royce’s professional and personal life
· His famous maxim “Strive for perfection in everything you do. Take the best that exists and make it better” still informs and inspires the company’s activities today.
Yes, of course a commemoration such as this was not easy to arrange as it is always a Polish national holiday weekend and everyone is away! Friday the 1st May was known in the past as Labour Day and is now a state holiday. I stocked up on food and champagne to stylishly celebrate 'The Meeting'. Our Rolls-Royce celebration took place on Saturday afternoon May 2nd.
In the present war climate of fraught notions of threat, sovereignty and the apparent abandonment by too many in political power of international law and moral values, this Constitution Day was particularly emotional and intensely nationalistic.
The first written constitution in
Based on Enlightenment principles, it created an hereditary monarchy, reformed the government and limited the powers of the szlachta (Polish gentry). The day is still a public holiday in
In response, Catherine the Great massed her Russian troops and precipitated a year long war. In 1793 the defeated Poles were forced to rescind the constitution,
The interest in older Rolls-Royce motor cars in Poland is rather limited, but for me May 4th is May 4th even if it conflicts with public holidays! However, driving our cars in dense holiday traffic on a rural excursion is not enjoyable.
As a replacement activity, on Saturday afternoon, I offered at my home in Warsaw, a glass of French champagne, food and a film. The ‘Rolls champagne’ may well have been Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve, the smallest Grande Marque, well known and appreciated in European Royal circles and Edwardian England at the turn of the century (particularly by 'Bertie' - Edward VII).
This delightful beverage was possibly sipped by Charles Rolls high above the Kent landscape. This truly outstanding champagne was served together with freshly baked French puff pastry snacks, baked chicken legs marinated in honey, a technicolour salad, prunes wrapped in grilled bacon, a superb chocolate mousse and other sweet goodies. Some Alsace Riesling may also have crept in!
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| Some CCC and RREC Polish Section members gathered at lunch in Warsaw |
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The Secretary of the RREC (Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts' Club) Poland pouring a drop of the adorable Charles Heidsieck champagne |
For drivers with slow metabolism, I have also found an excellent German, non-medicinal, non-alcoholic sparkling wine, called Dr. LO. Try it if you are of a nervous disposition!
Various other diversions were offered to the CCC (my Casual Car Club) and the RREC (Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts' Club) Polish Section members who also attended. This rather intimate, growing commemoration tradition is a particularly pleasant occasion, leafing through many Rolls-Royce and Bentley large format books which of course included, among others, those monumental and magnificent Davide Bassoli volumes. In addition, we perused recent editions of Spirit & Speed, the brilliant Swiss Section's Alpine Eagle publication and the 20-Ghost Club News & Record magazine.
I also screened the warmly charming film The Yellow Rolls-Royce with its glittering cast and dialogues by the brilliant scriptwriter Terence Rattigan: Ingrid Bergman, Rex Harrison, Art Carney, George C. Scott, Alain Delon, Jeanne Moreau, Shirley MacClaine and Omar Sharif.
Rolls-Royce Chassis 9JS featured in the film is a 1932 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Barker Sedanca de Ville.
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| Art Carney, George C. Scott and Shirley MacClaine |
Alain Delon and Shirley MacClaine.
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| RREC and CCC members at home watching The Yellow Rolls Royce |
As darkness and a damp chill fell over parkland, the members gathered to leave. It was clear an unexpectedly memorable anniversary had evolved and been celebrated once again.
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Two close RREC friends say a late goodnight in Warsaw Guy Pinsent in his 1958 Silver Cloud I LSGE438 Michael Moran in his 1974 Silver Shadow SRH18723, now owned for 40 years The windscreen slip written in Polish indicates the occasion to the curious |
