Workshop Guides

Rolls-Royce Workshop Guides

 

There are two Workshop Guides available that feature the pre-war small chassis Rolls-Royce. These are ‘Survivor’ for the 20 and 20/25 models and ‘Reborn’ that features the 25/30 model. The 20/25 was the most successful ‘small’ Rolls-Royce the Derby factory ever produced in terms of numbers (3,824). Astonishingly 77% of these cars still survive today, a testament to both the quality of the materials and the meticulous construction of these cars.

 

The two Workshop Guides that are available are not factory repair manuals (Rolls-Royce never produced any pre-war) but are the result of the author’s own experiences from re-commissioning a 1929 20/25 Thrupp & Maberly Phaeton Tourer and a 1937 25/30 Barker Sports Saloon. There is a great deal of similarity across these models, as Rolls-Royce policy was to continually improve and develop the initial small chassis design. But in dealing with the myriad problems on the authors two cars, the engineering issues that presented were different. Consequently the two books complement each other and will be useful whatever small chassis Rolls-Royce you own. Subjects covered include de-scaling, radiator re-coring, re-building shutters, re-wiring, de-sludging, ignition & carburation problems, centripetal wheel balancing using zircon beads and include detailed advice on annual maintenance. Plus what to look for when contemplating buying a pre-war Rolls-Royce motor car.

 

Both books are intended to help the average hands-on owner save money on maintenance costs and to help keep these fine cars on the road. And running as perfectly as Henry Royce designed and built them.

 

 

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Review of ‘Reborn’ by Malcolm Tucker of the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts Club

May 2015

 

 

It is a sad fact of life that a car once bought is never as good as one hoped, and a sold car is always better in memory than it truly was. These facts can cause the double misery of remorse of both buyer and seller. God helps those who help themselves, and in so doing not only will you banish that first remorse, but a car will really become a joy to own, giving you great satisfaction in returning it, if not to as-new-condition, then to good, sound and usable condition.

 

The earlier book by Charles Vyse, Survivor - a Workshop Guide for the 20/25model set the style for this, his latest work. Reborn is the story of the efforts required to return his newly purchased 25/30hp Barker~bodied chassis (GRO54) to a mechanical condition of which Royce would have approved. The known history of this car is also noted.

 

Vyse knew (GRO 54) would need some work when acquired, but in his own words “The car turned out to be a very frail incontinent gentleman in need of urgent surgery”. The vast majority of this work has been by Vyse himself, and here he recounts the problems encountered and his personal solutions. Sources of supplies and services are mentioned and listed.

 

The author writes clearly and concisely, balancing the style of a good story and the relating of facts that a reader will need to know if he or she wishes to undertake similar rectifications to their own car. The text is supplemented by clear black and white images and drawings

 

The 140, 19cm x 24cm book contains two parts. The first deals with the early life of the car, initial thoughts on its problems, origins of the 25/30hp model, and finally a history of Barker & Co.

 

The remaining pages deal with a multitude of mechanical, electrical and trim components that have needed attention. Vyse succinctly describes locations, removal, testing, rectification and refitting, along with many ‘top tips’: such as where to buy a kit to convert an original side lamp to also operate as an amber flashing indicator, or how to balance recalcitrant wheels by ‘centripetal balancing’ using Zircon ceramic beads inside the inner tubes.

 

A great deal of the tasks and remedies are of value to the owner of any pre-war small horsepower Rolls-Royce or Bentley, so much so, that Reborn can be recommended to all such owners. Be warned; when reading the ‘top tips’, you will suffer the ignominy of “Why didn't I think of that?”

 

The diagnoses of faults and the means of rectification are those of Charles Vyse and his mentors.

 

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Review of ‘Survivor’ by Tom Clarke, the Rolls-Royce historian and author

September 2013

 

 

The story of a unique 1929 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Thrupp & Maberly phaeton tourer, by Charles Vyse. 

 

Almost fifty years ago in 1964 J. H. Haynes of London self-published what must be the first-ever commercial manual for old Rolls-Royce cars, his Rolls-Royce 1925-39 manual. This paperback ran to 86 pages. What a revelation this was to the new generation of younger enthusiasts for the older cars. But now that I look back through it I see that Haynes merely brought together the key maintenance facts from model handbooks, leavened with useful tips about how best to buy a car, and left it at that. It makes charming reading today. 

 

How different in 2013. Charles Vyse has come to know his almost unique 1929 20/25 h.p. GXO71 in very intimate detail. This book reveals not so much a restoration as more of a 'general overhaul', in the widest sense that Rolls-Royce Ltd. used that term, so that everything on the car was properly checked for correct working, and ensuring that the chassis was as complete as possible with the right parts. Lavishly illustrated with evidence of his hands-on work on the car this is a truly essential guide for any 20/25 owner seeking to do his own maintenance and repairs. No superficial coverage here, it's down to the nitty gritty of fixing electrics, gauges, the fuel system and so much more. But Sir Henry has not been followed slavishly - the book also takes us through some modern safety additions, an additional fuel pump, modern filters, and an overdrive amongst other things. In every case detail thought has been given to the best conversion and you are shown how to do it. To back up his work Charles shares a list of the mainly British suppliers he used. And throughout the book there are glimpses of features on his car which enhance the story he actually starts the book with - the remarkable history of his car and the more remarkable detective work to find that history. 

 

This new book follows not far behind an earlier, and shorter, work issued by the Sir Henry Royce Foundation, Australia, in 2010. This is David Davis's 50 years with a Rolls-Royce Twenty: a mechanical miscellany which covers his 1923 chassis 42G1 and all he learned from the skilled mechanics of old. Both publications are a testament to what dedicated enthusiasts can achieve and the bond they have for their cars. Long may this continue, and certainly Charles Vyse has produced a work of long-term value. 

Tom Clarke

 

 

Citroën DS 21 Workshop Guide

 

This Workshop Guide is not intended as a replacement for the Factory Manual. It’s more a companion volume; an aid to the hands-on owner when repairing, understanding or restoring a DS. The book comprises 250 pages with hundreds of workshop photographs and clear line drawings. The book will guide you through everything from removing and stripping the engine to bodywork restoration, as well as regular servicing & maintenance issues. Including hints and tips from someone who has "been there, done that". The book also includes chapters on understanding the hydraulic system, practical repair of the hydraulic system and a guide for newbies on buying a used DS.

 

My car is called ‘Snoopy’. She’s a Paris built RHD 1966 DS21 Pallas. I’m the second owner and I’ve had the car for 45 years and counting. During this time I have totally restored the car, while at the same time preserving her originality. Consequently the book majors on the post 1966 5 main bearing LHM fluid cars, but which in fact covers the majority of D models still extant.