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We had a family friend who was the president of a New York Rolls-Royce motor club. Whenever he'd visit, John would arrive driving a classic Rolls-Royce or Bentley, and it would cause a little stir in the neighborhood, and certainly in me! Of course no visit would be complete without a ride. At a much later date — when I was driving a Volkswagen Beetle — John gave me a little chauffeur's booklet published by Rolls-Royce.
Should you acquire the services of a chauffeur, and especially one to drive a Rolls-Royce, herewith are a few tips.
What A Good Chauffeur Should KnowPersonal Appearance
A uniformed chauffeur must always present a smart appearance wearing a white shirt and collar with black tie and black shoes. Brown leather gloves must be worn when driving.
Appearance of Car
A clean car and engine reflect credit on the chauffeur and every opportunity should be taken to remove dust and/or surplus oil from the engine
It is also his responsibility to ensure that all the ash trays are empty and clean.
Politeness
A chauffeur should always touch his cap when opening a door to allow a passenger entry or exit. At all times he should stand by his car ready to open or close doors and he must not take up his driving position until all passengers are comfortably seated. Upon arrival at his destination the chauffeur should always be the first out of the car to assist passengers to alight, and he must always walk round the back of his car to gain access to the driving seat, when occasion demands.
Punctuality
When keeping appointments a chauffeur should ensure that he is five minutes early as punctuality is essential.
Royalty
If a member of the Royal Family is being driven, a chauffeur must remove his cap directly the Royal personage comes out a door, and must not put it on again until he starts driving; in the same way, when pulling up anywhere, he must remove his cap directly he stops the car and keep it off until the Royal personage has entered the doorway.
A chauffeur must not leave his driving seat unless the Royal personage is unattended.
Station Procedure
When meeting a passenger at a railway station a chauffeur should wait at the barrier to assist the passenger with his luggage. Before stowing the luggage he must first ensure that his passenger is comfortably seated.
If a passenger arrives at a station platform without a barrier, a chauffeur must be on the alert ready to carry out the above duties. The carrying of bags also applies to passengers leaving or entering an hotel.
Conversation
Under no circumstances should a chauffeur enter into conversation unless first addressed by a passenger and his reply should then be brief but courteous, and the conversation should not be continued unless encouraged by the passenger.
Smoking
Smoking is not done whilst driving a passenger, during waiting periods, or when en route to meet passengers; a chauffeur should not smoke in the car for at least half an hour before picking up a passenger and windows must be opened to remove all traces of smoke.
Itinerary
When undertaking unfamiliar journeys the chauffeur should ascertain the best route before departure. During inclement weather advice should be obtained from the R.A.C. or A.A., as to the best route.
Accident
Should a chauffeur be involved in an accident, however slight, he should obtain all the information necessary to complete the approved accident form, and it is essential to exchange names and addresses. Where possible, particulars of the other party’s Insurance Company should also be obtained.
Washing of Car
The best time to wash a car is immediately after coming in especially if wet or muddy. Use only clean cold water, starting at the top and working down, with clean sponges and leathers (reserve one sponge and one leather for body panels). Window runs and door joints should not be exposed to the full force of the hose.
When leathering of the car the leather should be washed out frequently in clean water and all surplus water should be wrung out before use.
Do not forget to sponge and leather all the door frames and door edges and finally clean all windows inside and out winding down the moveable windows to clean the portion normally covered by the window runs.
Polishing Cellulose Paint
After washing and leathering off, allow to dry thoroughly before polishing, then apply a good wax polish using a soft moistened cloth. Polish with a firm pressure in a circular motion, then, using a new dry cloth, remove the excess polish and complete the operation of polishing with a third dry polishing cloth until a lustre is obtained. Complete a small area at a time. Polishing cloths must be free from grit. Do not use polish when the car is warm, or try to polish in the sun. Every third month, after washing, remove traffic film and other atmospheric deposits and the residual wax with a cleaning agent, such as Belco No. 7; afterwards re-wax.
Care of Upholstery
CLOTH. Should be brushed the way of the nap. Upholstery covers should be removed periodically and brushed, and cushions lightly beaten. Corners and pockets and recesses should be thoroughly brushed as a precaution against moth. A Vacuum Cleaner can be used to advantage on Head Linings, etc.
LEATHER. Should not be washed. It can be kept clean by an occasional wipe over with a damp (not wet) cloth. If necessary, a little neutral soap — such as curd or toilet soap — may be used. A specially prepared hide food for occasional use known as “Connolly’s” Hide Food can be used to improve the leather.
Doors
When Coachbuilt body door hinges are fitted with grease nipples these should be lubricated occasionally by means of the grease gun and the surplus lubricant must be removed.
Standard Steel body door hinges should not be lubricated as the hinges incorporate Oilite brushed and stainless steel hingepins, in fact the application of extra lubrication is likely to result in damage by causing dust to adhere to the working parts.
All door catches and striker plates should be wiped clean occasionally, and a small quantity of grease applied to the faces of the groove in the striker plate, removing surplus grease after application.
Chromium Plating
Atmospheric deposit can be removed by using one of many chrome cleaners on the market or Belco No. 7. (Metal Polishes must not be used.)
Removing Tar
Tar may be removed by the use of the proprietary solutions available, or by rubbing with a soft cloth moistened with a mixture of equal parts of Naptha and white spirit. (Turpentine substitute.)
White Sidewall Tyres
When yellowing of white sidewall tyres occurs the colour can be restored by using one of the proprietary brands of whitewall tyre cleaner. Brillo soap pads or other soap impregnated wire wool pads are convenient for quick whitewall cleansing whilst the car is being washed.
Car Mats
All mats should be removed weekly and given a good beating and brushing. Do not brush mats inside the car as this allows dust to accumulate on the trimming.
Instrument Panel and Window Fillets
These should be polished occasionally with wax polish, if they have a polished finish, otherwise it is sufficient to leather them off whenever the car is being washed.
Don’ts
- Dry clean the Paintwork
- Allow Anti-Freeze mixtures to get on paintwork
- Dry clean Stainless Steel Radiator shells
- Run engine unnecessarily in the garage.
- Park the car under Lime trees when in blossom.
- Leave windows open when leaving the car, especially in showery weather.
