Posted by Andrew Craig-Bennett on June 30, 2007 at 00:55:11 from 195.93.21.70 user ACB.
In Reply to: Rattletrap a Crossley? (was Jocelyn Burnell and Class) posted by Jock on June 27, 2007 at 11:25:10:
Thank you, Jock.
Mrs Blackett is described as a small woman.
I can only recall seeing two Crossleys, the surviving Shelsey, which is owned by a sailing acquaintance, and a 25/30. Both really have to be described as big cars, not the sort of car that a lady driver would have gone in for (no power steering in those days, and not much help with braking, either!)
Sir Henry Royce designed the Phantom II to cope with lady drivers by starting in top gear, as he did not think that ladies would be able to master the clutch (source - RR official company history!)
The 10hp Crossley, the small car, was introduced at the 1932 Motor Show, I think, which does not allow enough time for Rattletrap to become as battered as she is described as being, even with Mrs Blackett's awful driving!