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).
Report by F.H. Royce detailing a car accident near Chateauroux where the vehicle skidded to avoid a cart and hit a tree.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 113\1\ scan0144 | |
| Date | 16th December 1932 | |
| D/L WOP HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} 84199. 2. Par II. 3. 16.12.32 Chateauroux Proceeding along the Orleans Rd 4 Kilos. the other side of Honan-to-Fuzelier, I was about to over take a Carrier's Cart going in my direction and had pulled out to do so, at what I considered was a respectable distance from the cart, when I was warned by W Brazier, who could see better than me, being on that side of the road, of an approaching car. I immediately pulled in behind the cart at the same time braking as hard as possible. I found that if I had carried on I should have hit the cart, so took to the grass on the right of the road Unfortunately there was a ditch which caused the rear wheels to skid thus broadsiding the Car into a tree. At the point of contact with the tree the speed was not great, as I had braked for 27 yds. (measured afterwards.) before leaving the roads. The damage done as far as we could see was, smashed running board twisted step iron, both door panels & center pillar, & front door glass cracked. The weather was misty & I estimate my speed before braking at 63 M.P.H. approx. In my opinion with standard brakes I should have probably avoided this accident. F.{Mr Friese} H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} Royce. 9099. | ||