39 replies to this topic

[Doug Nye]

If nobody else is going to mention it, I think it is appropriate to mark in some way here the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.

 

Coincidentally, motor sport was revolutionised from top to bottom through the 70 years of her extraordinary reign - with her nation's industry and sportsmen playing an immensely significant, and often game-changing role.

 

When her father died in February 1952, and Queen Elizabeth succeeded to the throne that he had never expected, nor even wanted, 'Autosport' matched the mood of the time with this tribute.

 

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Which I feel was most appropriate - and which is presently, justifiably, again appropriate to parallel.

 

But one fears that Carolean motor sporting feats will hardly match those of our 'New Elizabethans'. 

 

DCN

Edited by Doug Nye, 11 September 2022 - 15:06.

[Bloggsworth]

HMQ was, in many ways, the best of us. Vivat Rex.

[Vitesse2]

This picture - and a couple of others - are circulating on Facebook. Her Majesty appears to be giving Nick Mason some advice on tuning his Ferrari ... although in fact (as Gary points out below) it is the actress Jeannette Charles who portrayed the Queen on many occasions on television and in films, as well as on various photo-shoots.

 

 

The real Queen had of course undertaken training in motor mechanics during her time in the ATS:

 

Edited by Vitesse2, 10 September 2022 - 06:52.

[Tim Murray]

Motorcycle training in the ATS, 1945.

She spent seventy years working so hard at a job she didn’t choose but had thrust upon her, and did it supremely well. I fear her successors will struggle to match her achievements. RIP.

[Bloggsworth]

Classy tribute from Lewis Hamilton.

[Tim Murray]

[nicanary]

In the modern vernacular - "The girl done good".

[Gary C]

Er...that's not the Queen in the Nick Mason pic, it's the lookalike Jeanette Charles.

[JonnyA]

Thank you, Doug.

[Ray Bell]

Is that her mum with her in the underbonnet pic?

 

One has to admire both of these women.

[MarkBisset]

 

 

The Queen and Prince Philip alight the Regal Roller in Hobart during the 'smash hit, sellout' first (of 16 apparently) Australian 1954 tour.

 

Look at the joy on her face! Beauty, vibrancy, elegance and poise too. Meanwhile Jeeves is trying to remember where to next!

 

The Colonies are full of sadness too, of course.

 

(Libraries Tasmania)

Edited by MarkBisset, 09 September 2022 - 22:23.

[Ross Stonefeld]

Er...that's not the Queen in the Nick Mason pic, it's the lookalike Jeanette Charles.

 

It's such an odd looking photo I thought it was photoshopped.

[cooper997]

Tim's post sums things up brilliantly.

 

Turning the TV on at 4.30am Friday morning Melbourne time to see the ABC covering the passing of Queen Elizabeth II came as surprise, rather than shock.

 

One can only conclude that for once in her long, brilliant life she has done something on her terms. What a lady! 

 

 

Just days after arriving in Sydney in 1954 The Australian Racing Driver's Club ran this meeting. It was the following weekend on from the Mount Druitt circuit being ruined by the 24 Hour Race with a lot of effort going into making it suitable for racing again. Not so sure the Royal Entourage visited, however Brabham, Tauranac, Gould, Jones, Hawkes et al were there.

 

In the main 11 lap NSW Royal Tour Racing Car Championship race (the then) Mr Brabham had to settle for second behind Jack Robinson's Jaguar Special. 

 

 

As the world mourns, my condolences to all.

 

 

Stephen

Edited by cooper997, 10 September 2022 - 03:22.

[Vitesse2]

Is that her mum with her in the underbonnet pic?

 

One has to admire both of these women.

It is, yes, Ray.

[Odseybod]

I was impressed that for today's transport to his London engagements, our new King chose the straight-8 Phantom IV that was not only the first Rolls-Royce in the Royal Mews but also had very special links with the late Queen and her husband.

 

https://en.wikipedia...oyce_Phantom_IV

[Geoff E]

Their Rolls-Royce needed a mechanic in Wolverhampton some years ago.

 

I imagine the film will disappear in the next 24 hours (and is UK only).  Start at approx 3m25s https://www.bbc.co.u...e-news-12092022

[Odseybod]

Hope he didn't attack it with a Brummy screwdriver!

[Vitesse2]

Bit of a faux pas in the voiceover. Rolls Royces do not 'break down' - they 'fail to proceed'!

[arttidesco]

Did I see things right a Daimler being used to transport Her Majesty to Edinbrugh, I thought the family had dispensed with that marque many moons ago ? 

[Vitesse2]

Did I see things right a Daimler being used to transport Her Majesty to Edinbrugh, I thought the family had dispensed with that marque many moons ago ? 

No, it was a Mercedes. But you're right about Daimler losing its Royal Warrant, probably due to the hideously OTT and tasteless Docker Daimlers of the 1950s. Rolls Royce now hold the Royal Warrant.

[AllanL]

No, it was a Mercedes. But you're right about Daimler losing its Royal Warrant, probably due to the hideously OTT and tasteless Docker Daimlers of the 1950s. Rolls Royce now hold the Royal Warrant.

So still a Daimler (AG)? In practical terms there may have been a limited choice of vehicle manufacturers

A wonderful lady, how many would still be carrying out the job with grace and humour over 70 years and only two days before passing the crown to Charles III.

The ability of Charles and the rest of the family to graciously carry out their hectic duties in the immediate aftermath of such personal loss also amazes me.

[Alan Baker]

No, it was a Mercedes. But you're right about Daimler losing its Royal Warrant, probably due to the hideously OTT and tasteless Docker Daimlers of the 1950s. Rolls Royce now hold the Royal Warrant.

The State limousines used by the late Queen for many years have been the special Bentley state limousines in service since 2002. They haven't acquired a Rolls Royce since 1987 and I do not believe that the current incarnation of Rolls Royce motor cars holds a royal warrant, but three of that marque are still in service, two Phantom VIs and the Phantom IV. It seems that King Charles has a preference for the old Phantoms and has yet to be seen in one of the Bentleys, one of which was used by The Princess Royal and her husband to accompany The Queen's hearse on the journey from Balmoral to Edinburgh. This may have been the first time that any Royal other than the Monarch has used one of these.

[Vitesse2]

You're right there, Alan, but on checking I was surprised to find that Bentley didn't have a Royal Warrant either. However, the Bentley dealership Jack Barclay (owned by HR Owen) does.

 

https://www.hrowen.l...-royal-warrant/

[Doug Nye]

The interweb has so much to answer for.  Here's an absurdity on so very many levels.

 

https://www.essentia...mpionship-race/

 

In discussion with Tim Murray and others yesterday evening, the often-repeated claim surfaced that Princess Elizabeth attended 'Royal Silverstone' to watch the 1950 British GP.  Tim instantly pointed out that our future Queen most certainly did not attend the event.  She was at that time some six months pregnant with Princess Anne.

 

It was her sister Princess Margaret who accompanied King George and Queen Elizabeth (the future Queen Mother) at that opening round of the FIA Drivers' World Championship. There is a photo showing King George greeting a driver line-up.  Prominent within it is the teenaged 500cc F3 driver Stirling Moss - who is plainly very impressed by the young Princess...

 

DCN

[Allan Lupton]

The ill-educated author also seems to think "royalties" means members of the Royal Family. Even Wikipedia knows that is not the case . . .

Edited by Allan Lupton, 14 September 2022 - 17:31.

[marksixman]

Well said Doug. And well done for starting this thread.

 

As ever, don't believe a word you read in the press or on the internet, unless it has the initials DCN under it !!

 

One of my favourite, and longest-owned, books is "Royal Motoring" by J Dewar McLintock published in 1962. Some wonderful photographs of the Royal Family, and even a few racing cars ! If you see a copy snap it up. Mine is not for sale !!

 

Watched the events this afternoon (Wednesday), and congratulations to all involved. If there is one thing this country does better than historic racing it is Royal Pageantry.

 

God Save the King.

 

[Doug Nye]

Oh my, memories jogged now.  J. Dewar McLintock was a veteran member of the Guild of Motoring Writers when I first became a member way back in the mists.  The great Cyril Posthumus introduced him to me as "...our friend Dewar McFlintlock"...

 

DCN

[Myhinpaa]

 

Queen Elisabeth I chatting to Prince Bira, Princess Margaret and Lord Mountbatten next to them. (BRDC archive)

 

 

 

British Pathé newsreel: https://youtu.be/yr2Z20U4y3E

[Alan Lewis]

...As ever, don't believe a word you read in the press or on the internet, unless it has the initials DCN under it !!...

Ooh, I dunno. He said we were going to get a Volume 4.









(runs away. very, very quickly...)

[Tim Murray]

This might be the photo Doug was thinking of:

[Ross Stonefeld]

I think that's a classic case of a misleading photo angle as Margaret is not in Stirling's direct eyeline. He's bringing his hand up to meet the King's and presumably that's where he's looking. Or possibly he's bringing it down and the outstretched hand is offered for the gentleman closest in line to the camera. 

 

Or perhaps he's bringing his hand down having just shaken Margaret's(below link) and the King is next

 

https://www.motorspo...?year=1950&p=18

 

Regardless of permutation she's not in line with Stirling at that moment.

Edited by Ross Stonefeld, 14 September 2022 - 18:50.

[AJB2]

The interweb has so much to answer for. Here's an absurdity on so very many levels.

https://www.essentia...mpionship-race/

In discussion with Tim Murray and others yesterday evening, the often-repeated claim surfaced that Princess Elizabeth attended 'Royal Silverstone' to watch the 1950 British GP. Tim instantly pointed out that our future Queen most certainly did not attend the event. She was at that time some six months pregnant with Princess Anne.

It was her sister Princess Margaret who accompanied King George and Queen Elizabeth (the future Queen Mother) at that opening round of the FIA Drivers' World Championship. There is a photo showing King George greeting a driver line-up. Prominent within it is the teenaged 500cc F3 driver Stirling Moss - who is plainly very impressed by the young Princess...

DCN

The author of that article “has always been an avid sports fan, with F1 and soccer being his two favorites. Due to his inherent love for sports and competition, he has been able to understand the world of F1 inside out.” I must check out his other articles so that I too can understand the world of F1 inside out.

[opplock]

 

 

Queen Elisabeth I chatting to Prince Bira, Princess Margaret and Lord Mountbatten next to them. (BRDC archive)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looks very well for a woman who died in 1603. 

 

Queen Elizabeth, wife of George VI, was Queen Consort and wasn't assigned a number.     

[john aston]

If I may be permitted a moment of levity , Craig Brown's book about the late Princess Margaret = Ma'am Darling - is a wonderful read, and very , very funny. Let's just say she didn't share her sister's gravitas and sense of responsibility.  

[BRG]

 I am sure the future Sir Stirling was looking upon the young Princess with approval.  Why wouldn't he?

[AllanL]

Ooh, I dunno. He said we were going to get a Volume 4.

(runs away. very, very quickly...)

 

Beware, Doug may fool you all by going straight to "Volume 5 : Return to Glory - the Rover 200 Year" with a footnote that Bobby Ewing dropped the only draft of volume 4 in the shower and Lassie ate it.

[SamoanAttorney]

Beware, Doug may fool you all by going straight to "Volume 5 : Return to Glory - the Rover 200 Year" with a footnote that Bobby Ewing dropped the only draft of volume 4 in the shower and Lassie ate it.

 

 

Would that cover the triumphant Mangoletsi era?

[Doug Nye]

Oh yes. All the news fit to print...hopefully.  

 

DCN

[P0wderf1nger]

I think I saw Jackie Stewart in St George's Chapel yesterday afternoon - on the front row of the Nave, to the left of the aisle as you look up towards the Quire.  

 

Did anyone else spot him?

[Tim Murray]

Yes indeed.