Rolls history

Sir,
The photograph of a Rolls Royce being used as a breakdown truck (Veteran to Classic, Motor Sport, June 1989) was most interesting. The car is a 1923 Rolls Royce 20 (registered DM 2668, chassis No 54 S4, engine No 0273). This Rolls was originally owned by Mr Arnold Rockier, of Reckitt and Colman the pharmaceutical company. It was fitted with a Barker barrel-sided tourer body. In the late 1960 it was mechanically restored by Mr Ken Hart and the body rebuilt by Wilkinsons of Derby, after which it was an exhibit in the Preston Park Transport Museum. In 1971 it was shipped to the USA where it is now proudly owned by Mr Windom Estes of Pebble Beach.

I am indebted to Mr Reg Andrews for the early history of this car. He was Mr Reckitts’ chauffeur in the 1920s and collected the car from the Rolls Royce works in 1923. Mr Andrews is a sprightly 86 years old.

I enclose a photograph of this car after being restored in 1969.

Ron E Wary, Holme-on-Spalding, Yorks