From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Accident report for a 40/50 HP Coupe, chassis 45-NC.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 72\2\ scan0018 | |
| Date | 11th June 1927 | |
| COPY. REPORT ON ACCIDENT TO 40/50 H.P. ROLLS-ROYCE COUPE CHASSIS 45-NC - F.S. AUSTIN, WHICH OCCURRED JUNE 11th, 1927. This car was proceeding between Werribee and Geelong, the weather being wet, and, from information received from Mr. Austin, he was travelling at a speed of from 35 to 40 m.p.h. when a cow got in the way, and, on sudden application of brakes, car turned completely round about twice finishing on a small embankment, and, before finally coming to rest, turned over on its nearside. Fortunately no one was hurt. Car was lifted on to its wheels again, and after ascertaining there was not much damage done only to bodywork, he proceeded on his journey and covered about 100 miles the same morning, and ran the car about continuously for a fortnight before bringing it to Melbourne for repair. Chassis was thoroughly examined, and wheel alignment checked, brakes and brake mechanism examined and car tested on road, when no mechanical defect was found with the exception of scratched hub caps. Mr. Austin was unable to explain how it occurred except that he jammed on his footbrakes with the result stated. It must be remembered that some portions of the Geelong Road are very dangerous especially in wet weather owing to very large camber and also very slippery state of certain portions of this road. My own opinion is that Mr. Austin made a sudden and hard application on his brakes thereby locking his back wheels and no doubt at a time he was travelling over a treacherous piece of road with the results mentioned. I might also mention that Mr. L. Whyte was travelling on the Geelong Road last Winter in wet weather when for no apparent reason his Rolls-Royce car left the road and piled the front axle on a heap of broken stones and Mr. Whyte assured me that he never touched his brakes at all; and many accidents occur on this road in bad weather owing, as before stated, to the peculiar formation of the road in places. Mr. F.S. Austin was driving the car himself and had as passenger Mr. Clive Currie of Lismore, who also owns a 20 H.P. Rolls-Royce car. I have not seen Mr. Currie since this accident, and, probably, being a passenger, he would be able to throw more light on the subject. (Sgd) E.A. Ford. | ||