Posted by Andrew Craig-Bennett on December 03, 2007 at 09:56:47 from 81.144.214.226 user ACB.
In Reply to: Re: "Feeling old" (was The motor car in "Winter Holiday") posted by John on December 03, 2007 at 08:02:34:
I cannot resist joining in - the epicyclic gearbox issue identified by Peter is a clincher - Rattletrap was not a Trojan.
The gearbox does provide a clue to the non-use of Rattletrap before PP - we know that Rattletrap belongs to Captain Flint. It may well be that he has been giving his sister driving lessons.
I am reminded of an incident recounted in the Rolls-Royce company history. In drawing up the design specification for the Phantom II, in 1929, Sir Henry Royce wrote something (I no longer have the book!) to the effect of, "There are now lady owners who like to drive themselves. Since we cannot expect ladies to master the use of the gearbox and clutch, the car must be capable of being started in top gear.."