| Author | Message | ||
     PAUL DABROWSKI New User Username: shabbyshadow2 Post Number: 4 Registered: 9-2005 |
After watching the news on the weekend and seeing the pictures of Her Majesty and Phillip in Sydney I can only say that all the fuss about how much money has been spent maintaining the Vice-Regal Phantom has been well and truly given the contempt it deserves. Her Majesty looked radiant as usual, and the Phantom gave the whole event the charm and dignity required. Imagine our head of state being driven around in a white Fairlane! [No need to shout, Paul! Switch off your keyboard's CAPS LOCK next time, please. - Admin] (Message edited by admin on March 14, 2006) | ||
| Robert Wort Grand Master Username: robert_wort Post Number: 267 Registered: 12-2004 |
I know what you mean Paul. She was carted around in Victoria in a white Fairlane and it looked quite absurd. | ||
| David Gore Moderator Username: david_gore Post Number: 552 Registered: 4-2003 |
What a compliment to fellow Forum contributor and Club Member Bill Coburn who has been responsible for maintaining this vehicle in recent times. Whilst I am a committed Republican, the Queen of Britain is entitled to be transported in an appropriate vehicle and the stately Phantom would be my choice over standard Govt. VIP vehicles. Getting in or out of a Fairlane/Statesman is not an elegant sight for men let alone women IMHO. | ||
| Jim.Cowin. Unregistered guest Posted From: 203.173.26.11 |
Gentlemen, I agree with you 100%. The Phantom really looks the part where as the Statesman or Fairlane looks second class. I am very much a Royalist & I strongly believe that The Queen deserves only the best transport that the Australian Government can provide. To Bill. Coburn, good on you ,that lovely car does you proud. (Message approved by david_gore) | ||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 542 Registered: 9-2004 |
Does the OZ car run on LPG as the Queens Phantoms do here in the UK. Is there any reason if not. | ||
| Bill Coburn Moderator Username: bill_coburn Post Number: 618 Registered: 4-2003 |
No Patrick and as far as I am aware the only Government vehicles at any level that run on gas are buses. It is essential for taxis of course. I know of only one Shadow around Canberra that has been converted - quite successfully and the only casualty was that we had to jack up the rear spring ratings somewhat to cope with the weight of the cylinder. I really don't understand the fuel policy here. We have zillions and zillions of gas which we export and pipe all over the country yet no sooner did that get organised and they slapped an excise on it so that the change over is just not worth it. Petrol here is about $1.30 a litre. Personally converting our cars makes them so unoriginal we may as well throw a Chevvy in there with a fancy gearbox. To Paul David and Jim, thankyou for your kind words. It was one of the tensest periods of my recent life. I said to my mate if that thing breaks down on the arena take me immediately to the local psych ward and have me sedated! The ignomy would have been unbearable. There was absolutely nothing more I could do to the car but I kept reminding myself that it was a mechanical contrivance!!!! The bottom line was that the car ran perfectly, Government House was delighted, HM was happy and it is now sitting quietly back in the Mews at Yarralumla. After the last onslaught by the Member for Banks I was present at a reception for people who have helped Government House known as 'Friends of Government House' and when HE gave his thankyou talk he singled me out and specifically thanked me and then assured the gathering of some 200 people that 'The Rolls was staying'. Full stop. | ||
| Jim.Cowin. Unregistered guest Posted From: 203.173.45.222 |
Bill,I am glad to hear that "the Rolls Will Be Staying". It's a pitty that some one did'nt say that to Paul Keating back in 1993! I'm pleased that most of the cars sold at that time stayed in Australia but it's a shame that the two Silver Cloud III Cabriolets went to the U.S.A. The National Motor Museum at Birdwood has a Phantom & I have suggested that it be restored to be used for Royal Tours in S.A. (Message approved by david_gore) | ||
| Bill Coburn Moderator Username: bill_coburn Post Number: 619 Registered: 4-2003 |
Jim Why aren't you registered!!! |
