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The Resident's Car

 


2nd Edition 1922 Essex

By August 1928 the official car of the Resident, George Stewart Symes, was nearly six years old and was due for replacement. It was a 4 cylinder Essex, described as a cheap American touring car. The Essex was manufactured by a branch of the Hudson Motor Company in Detroit.

Quite rightly the Resident wanted to ‘Buy British’. He suggested three possible replacements: a 16 HP Sunbeam; a 20 HP Austin ‘Open Road’ or a 16.5 HP Rover. In January the following year, with no replacement vehicle yet authorised, the Essex was described as disreputable in appearance and fast becoming unserviceable.

This description had the desired effect and Bombay, Calcutta and London all gave their consent to the purchase of a new official car. But by this time two of the models suggested the previous summer were out of production. The car now offered was a Marlborough, the Resident opting for the landaulet rather than the ordinary saloon. The resident specifically asked for leather upholstery, with cloth covers for the seats.

 

ADVERT

"For those who require a chauffeur-driven car of refined appearance, yet low purchase price, we built the 7-seater Marlborough Landaulet.

It is beautifully upholstered and equipped and has the appearance and performance of a car in a far higher price class.


The 1929 20 h.p. 4-Cylinder Austin Marlborough Landaulet. Price £425

The rear portion of the head lowers and the auxiliary seats face forward; ample weather protection is afforded the driver by detachable side curtains.

Depreciation is remarkably low and this Landaulet will give years of that silent, dependable, economical service that is synonymous with the name Austin"

 

Towards the end of July he felt the need to ask when he could expect the new car to arrive in Aden. The reply was that it was being shipped on the P&O ship, SS Morvada which was sailing on 24 August 1929.

 


20HP 6 cylinder Armstrong Siddeley enclosed landaulette

The Marlborough served as the official car for the remainder of George Symes term in office which ended 7 March 1931. The new Resident, Bernard Rawdon Reilly used the car until it was replaced by a 20 HP six cylinder Armstrong Siddeley enclosed landaulette, which arrived in Aden in January 1934.

 The car can be seen in an image of the arrival of the King of Italy at the Prince of Wales Pier. By this time Reilly's title was Chief Commissioner, a title he held till 1937 when it then changed to 'Governor'.

 


The Governor, Sir Tom Hickinbotham stepping into his official car. 1955

This  page last updated Saturday, 09 August 2008

 
 

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