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  • About | hrfoundation

    About the Foundation ABN 78 519 381 393 The Inspiration In all his designs Sir Henry Royce (1863-1933) demonstrated an attention to detail never previously seen in the automotive and aeronautical worlds. His motto was his engineering standard: Quidvis recte factum quamvis humile præclarum (Whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble). ‘Rightly done’ are the key words in the Rolls-Royce ethos, and there are many fine examples of Royce’s determination to strive for perfection. He was also guided by the philosophy: ‘Strive for perfection in everything you do. Take the best that exists and make it better. When it does not exist, design it.’ Establishment of the Foundation The Sir Henry Royce Foundation was created from a discussion at the 1995 Federal Rally of the Rolls-Royce Owners’ Club of Australia. It was proposed that a stand-alone body be created to preserve the heritage of the past in relation to items manufactured by Rolls-Royce and Bentley, the history of the Founders (Sir Henry Royce, The Hon C.S. Rolls and W.O. Bentley), and all printed material relating to the Company’s automobiles and aircraft engines. It all started when David Ekberg.....click here for full story . The Objects of the Foundation The Charitable Objects of the Foundation are for the advancement of the science and technology of mechanical engineering for the public benefit and the advancement of education in such ways as the Trustees in their absolute discretion think fit, including:Making available for study and research purposes the corpus of the published and unpublished work of the late Sir Henry Royce and by promoting and providing facilities for such study and research and for the study of the history and development of the pursuit of excellence in the science of mechanical engineering; Click to read more .... The Strategic Outlook of the Foundation The Charitable Objects of the Foundation include: “The advancement of the science and technology of mechanical engineering for the public benefit; and the advancement of education”. In particular, The Foundation seeks to promote the engineering ideals of Sir Henry Royce. To view the Strategic Outlook of the Foundation please visit: Foundation Strategic Outlook Opening of the Lionel Gell School of Instruction for Rolls-Royce and Bentley Owners Policies Collection Policy Conservation / Preservation Policy Trust Deed SHRF - The Foundation (as told by Russell Rolls) Play Video The Foundation Watch Now Share Whole Channel This Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Share Channel Info Close

  • Support The SHRF | hrfoundation

    By supporting the Sir Henry Royce Foundation of Australia you are helping to preserve Australian history including motoring heritage, publications, items and more. Supporting the SHRF The SHRF relies upon cash donations to cover the cost of housing, insuring, and conserving the paper archive and the collection of artefacts including motor vehicles. To see the current cost of operating the SHRF follow this link to the Financial Statements . You will see that the Trustees and the volunteers receive no money from the SHRF. They volunteer their time and meet their own expenses. 100% of donations is applied to the charitable objects of the Foundation. DONATE CASH To donate cash to the SHRF you can: transfer from your account by EFT to BSB 034 010 ACC 226 498 download this form to donate by credit card Cash donations of $2 or more receive a tax-deductible receipt from the SHRF. If you leave a bequest in your will, please advise the chair@henryroycefoundation.com . The SHRF relies upon donations to acquire the paper archive and the collection of artefacts including motor vehicles. The SHRF has no budget provision to purchase papers or artefacts. DONATE PAPERS OR ARTEFACTS The SHRF can accept donations of papers and artefacts consistent with the collections policy link. The SHRF may sell or decline donations of paper or artefacts that: are not consistent with the collections policy, or replicate items already held within the archive or the collection of artefacts, or are not roadworthy, or cannot be housed, insured or conserved within the budget. Donations of paper or artefacts cannot receive a tax-deductible receipt from the SHRF. If your donation meets all the guidelines, please download this form to start the process. If you donate paper or artefacts valued at $5,000 or more then you may be eligible for a tax deduction under the ATO Cultural Gifts Program link. If you want to donate paper or artefacts valued at $5,000 or more, please advise the chair@henryroycefoundation.com . SHRF - Supporting the Foundation (Margaret & Barrie Gillings) Play Video Supporting the Foundation Watch Now Share Whole Channel This Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Share Channel Info Close ABN 78 519 381 393

  • Contact Us | hrfoundation

    Contact the Sir Henry Royce Foundation Australia. Archives and showrooms in Coolum, Rowville and Canberra. Contact Us THE SIR HENRY ROYCE FOUNDATION ABN 78 519 381 393 . Australian Archives Rowville, Victoria Australia General Enquiries : chair@henryroycefoundation.com Lionel Gell School of Instruction , Rowville, Victoria, Australia The SHRF Coolum Showroom Coolum, Queensland - click HERE to email the Coolum Curator The SHRF Canberra Showroom Fyshwick, ACT - click HERE to email the Canberra Curator Publications For Sale Success! Message received. Send

  • Charles Stewart Rolls | hrfoundation

    Charles Stewart Rolls and his connection with Sir Henry Royce Foundation. Archive material held by the Sir Henty Royce Foundation Australia. Charles Stewart Rolls Born: 27 August 1877, Berkeley Square, London Died 12 July 1910 (aged 32), Southbourne, Bournemouth Nationality: Welsh Occupation: Engineer Engineering career Projects: Rolls-Royce Partnership with Royce HRH The Duke of York, Lord and Lady Llangattock, Sir Charles Cust and the Hon. C.S. Rolls at 'The Hendre', 1900 (credit Main article: Rolls-Royce Limited ). Rolls was introduced to Henry Royce by a friend at the Royal Automobile Club, Henry Edmunds, who was also a director of Royce Ltd. Edmunds showed him Royce's car and arranged the historic meeting between Rolls and Royce at the Midland Hotel, Manchester, on 4 May 1904. In spite of his preference for three or four cylinder cars, Rolls was impressed with the two-cylinder Royce 10 and in a subsequent agreement of 23 December 1904 agreed to take all the cars Royce could make. These would be of two, three, four and six cylinders and would be badged as Rolls-Royces. The first Rolls-Royce car, the Rolls-Royce 10 hp, was unveiled at the Paris Salon in December 1904, although in the early advertising it was the name of Rolls that was emphasised over that of Royce. In 1906 Rolls and Royce formalised their partnership by creating Rolls-Royce Limited, with Rolls appointed Technical managing director on a salary of £750 per annum plus 4% of the profits in excess of £10,000. Rolls provided the financial backing and business acumen to complement Royce's technical expertise. In 1907 Rolls-Royce Limited bought out C.S. Rolls & Co. Rolls put much effort into publicising the quietness and smoothness of the Rolls-Royce, and at the end of 1906 travelled to the USA to promote the new cars. The company was winning awards for the quality and reliability of its cars by 1907. But by 1909 Rolls' interest in the business was waning, and at the end of the year he resigned as Technical managing director and became a non-executive director. Pioneer aviator Rolls was also a pioneer aviator and initially, balloonist, making over 170 balloon ascents. He was a founding member of the Royal Aero Club in 1903 and was the second person in Britain to be licensed to fly by it. In 1903 he also won the Gordon Bennett Gold Medal for the longest single flight time. By 1907 Rolls' interest turned increasingly to flying, and he tried unsuccessfully to persuade Royce to design an aero engine. In 1909 he bought one of six Wright Flyer aircraft built by Short Brothers under licence from the Wright Brothers, and made more than 200 flights. On 2 June 1910, he became the first man to make a non-stop double crossing of the English Channel by plane, taking 95 minutes. For this feat, which included the first East-bound aerial crossing of the English Channel, he was awarded the Gold Medal of the Royal Aero Club. There is a statue to commemorate the flight in Monmouth and another in Dover.

  • 20hp Australian Cars | hrfoundation

    Rolls-Royce 20hp Australian Cars. The Sir Henry Royce Foundation Australia hold an extensive photographic record of 20hp cars that have been in Australia. Australian 20hp's This pictorial list of Australian delivered 20hp's includes year of manufacture, chassis number, coachbuilder (where known) and if the car is still happily motoring. A detailed history of the cars can be found within the book " Rolls-Royce & Bentley The Sunburnt Country ". 1/6

  • Canberra Showroom - ACT | hrfoundation

    The Canberra Showroom of the Sir Henry Royce Foundation Australia is in Fyshwick, ACT. It shares the space with the beautifully curated Ollies' Garage. Canberra Showroom - ACT The SHRF Canberra Showroom & Ollies' Garage Fyshwick, ACT Click HERE to email the Curator Open one Saturday per month 9.00 am - 12.00 pm or by group appointment. Check dates and book tickets online via Canberra Showroom of the Sir Henry Royce Foundation. O ther times for groups by appointment. Or visit our Virtual Tour 24 hours a day 7 days a week by logging into our website to access our Virtual Reality Interactive Tour. The Canberra Showroom of the Foundation was officially opened on 6 July 2024 by Mick Gentleman MLA, ACT. Below are a selection of photos from the opening. Opening1 Canberra Showrooms 1 Opening2 Opening1 1/10

  • Car Collection Specifications | hrfoundation

    Rolls-Royce automobile collection is part of the Sir Henry Royce Foundation, Australia. Car Collection - Detailed Specifications 1967 Rolls-Royce Phantom V Chassis number 5VF159 Ordered by Australian Federal Governmen Ceremonial transport for Governor-General, Royalty, Heads of State, and visiting dignitaries V8 engine, 6.2 litre Lower than normal compression ratio of 8:1 instead of 9:1 Weight: unladen 2710 kgs or 5962 lbs 'colonial model' = extra 13 litres of fuel or 2 UK gallons of fuel for longer distances = 'oil-bath' filters instead of paper filters for the air filters due to Australian dust Drum brakes Lap sash seat belts only in front seats Queen sits behind driver so her seat is adjustable height and forwards length for max viewing. Blue light car, 3 flag poles, crest holder Rear seats have bone coloured Connolly leather. Not so in front. Detective sat in passenger front seat. Driver's seat is for chauffeur- non adjustable as glass partition immediately behind. Pink silk blinds on rear windows for privacy when required. Intercom system for rear passenger and driver. Fittings for heraldic shield on roof Mulliner Park Ward body 2 dickey seats in rear Cocktail cabinet with crystal cut sherry glasses and silver capped decanters. Not armour plated as Queen expressly requested not to be. Small velcro tape on dashboard--thought to be when Royal family visited, they could attach their St Christopher medal-patron saint of safe travel---true or false ?? 1983 - Federal Government sold off this car at a Sydney auction because it was not bullet-proof and was only doing low mileage. Replaced by Australian built Holdens and Fords. Prime Minister Keating was in power. 1995 - Purchased by John Matheson & Jeanne Eve in Sydney for private use. 1997 - Driven across the Nullabor to WA for a Rolls-Royce Owners’ Club annual rally. 1997 - Participated and completed the Peking to Paris Motor Challenge with John Matheson & Jeanne Eve. Afterwards was repainted with some panel beating to its original glory. 2000 - Donated to the Sir Henry Royce Foundation, Australia.

  • Collections | hrfoundation

    Collections of the Sir Henry Royce Foundation including drawings, books, manuals, sales records, correspondence, Aero Engines, Auto Engines, Industrial & Marine Engines, Memorabilia, Model Cars, Photographs and more. The Collections The foundation holds in their extensive collection some of Henry Royce renowned items . Archives - Drawings, books, manuals, sales records, correspondence etc,. Aero Engines - PV-12 or Merlin, Avon, Tay Auto Engines - Royce 10 Industrial & Marine Engines - Meteor and Meteorite Tank Engines, Cranes etc,. Memorabilia Miscellaneous Model Cars - The Neely, Dodd, Allsep & Mason Collections of small and large model cars Quotations Photographs Rolls-Royce Phantom V - 1967 Rolls-Royce Phantom V, Chassis No.5VF159 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Body - Coach work for Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Chassis No.1524 York Motors Registrations

  • Car Collection - Turbo R | hrfoundation

    1990 Bentley Turbo R Saloon Chassis Number SCBZR03A4LCH32786 Donated by David Cinis in January 2022 to the SHRF- Australia Now displayed at the SHRF Coolum Showroom to be used for educational purposes.

  • Sir Henry Royce | hrfoundation

    Sir Henry Royce Frederick Henry Royce was born in Alwalton, Huntingdonshire, near Peterborough, the son of James and Mary Royce and was the youngest of their five children. Some readers may know very little about Sir Henry. Others would know quite a lot about him. But it is worth recording again some of his history and, by extension, that of Rolls-Royce. Frederick Henry Royce was born on 27 March 1863. Not into a wealthy family, but as the son of a miller. Commencing work as a telegram delivery boy, he was later apprenticed to the Great Northern Railway. Royce was interested in electricity, and developed his knowledge of this industry at night school. He formed F. H. Royce and Co. in 1884 when he was twenty-one. That Company manufactured dynamos and electric cranes; parts of one of the latter were acquired by the Foundation. In 1903 Royce bought a small Decauville car manufactured in France, and set about improving it to his standards. This led to the production of a 10hp, 2-cylinder automobile he named ‘Royce’, which first ran on 1 April 1904. Two more cars of the same type and specifications were produced, and of the three, only the engine of one remains in the Manchester Museum. The Honourable Charles Stewart Rolls met Frederick Henry Royce (as he then was) in May 1904. Rolls, a pioneer motorist and car salesman, was impressed with Royce and his car, so they subsequently formed Rolls-Royce Limited in April 1906. The first 40/50hp, 6-cylinder car – a model retrospectively known as the ‘Silver Ghost’ after the most famous example of the type – made its appearance in November 1906, and with many improvements in its design, was produced for the next nineteen years. At the outbreak of the First World War, Sir Henry turned his energies to aero engines, and a long line of superb aero engines was begun. First came the Eagle, then the Hawk, followed by the Falcon and Condor. More than half of the Allied aircraft in that war flew with Rolls-Royce engines, all designed by Sir Henry. Nearly seven months after the war ended, John Alcock and Arthur Whitten Brown in a Vickers Vimy biplane fitted with two Rolls-Royce Eagle engines completed the first aerial crossing of the Atlantic. Subsequently, the Kestrel aero engine was produced, which in turn led to the ‘R’ engine for the 1931 Schneider Trophy races, and ultimately, the Merlin V-12 powerplant based on the design of the ‘R’ engine. In all his designs Sir Henry Royce demonstrated an attention to detail never previously seen in the automotive and aeronautical worlds. His work ethic was inspired by his personal motto: Quidvis recte factum quamvis humile præclarum (Whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble). Today, there are many fine examples of Royce’s determination to strive for perfection in engineering. The principal objective of the Sir Henry Royce Foundation, Australia is to honour Sir Henry's life and work, to publicise, preserve and maintain examples of his engineering genius, and perpetuate his engineering philosophy, namely the pursuit of excellence. He was named Baronet Royce of Seaton (Rutland) on June 26, 1930. The barontcy became extinct when he died. In 1962 a memorial window dedicated to his memory was unveiled in Westminster Abbey the only time an engineer has been honored in this way. Click on the audio link below to listen to a very interesting 12 minute audio on Sir Henry from the Grace Gibson radio series 'Famous Fortunes’. This enjoyable series can be obtained through their website (www.gracegibsonradio.com ). Well worth listening to. The Foundation is grateful and acknowledges the permission granted by Grace Gibson Productions to bring you this audio classic. Famous Fortunes - Episode 19 00:00 / 00:00 SHRF - Sir Henry Royce (as told by Russell Rolls) Play Video Sir Henry Royce Watch Now Share Whole Channel This Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Share Channel Info Close

  • Chassis1492 | hrfoundation

    Visit the Sir Henry Royce Foundation Geebung Museum. Landaulet body from Chassis 1492 The arrival of the “1910 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost – Chassis No. 1492 – Timber Body”. Kindly donated to the Sir Henry Royce Foundation by Bill Hall, the Timber Body from the 1910 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost – Chassis No. 1492 duly arrived on Tuesday, 11th January 2022 just in time for the re-opening of the Museum on the 15th January. Timber Body being collected from Sydney by Trustee Frank Carroll and his wife Joan – aided by volunteers Steve, Martin, Brian and Bill Hall who assisted with loading the body ready for transport. Transported on an open Trailer, with due care and careful driving, the body arrived in very good condition. Its arrival sparked animated conversation on what to do next to prepare the Body for display within the Museum. Curator Barry Sparks, Volunteers Sue, Ann and good neighbour Dean were on hand to meet Frank and Joan and to assist with the unloading and homing of the Body. Many hands make light work, as they say, and within an hour the body was homed ready for preparation. 1915 begins the history in Australia of the 1910 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost - Chassis No. 1492 – with its original owner being a Mrs. Dunlop of Kew in Melbourne. Sold on, the custodians became the Whitney’s of Orange, NSW who sold it on to Kinsela Funerals in Sydney in 1925. Kinsela’s Funerals had the body converted to a Hearse. The Hearse was then sold again into the ownership of Coopers of Uralla in the 1940’s. In 1956, 1492’s next custodians were Margaret and Barrie Gillings of New South Wales. As the Gillings were committed to Post-Graduate Studies overseas in early 1957, George Green, a well-known Vintage Car enthusiast volunteered to curate 1492 in their absence and to organise a more appropriate body than a hearse to be built on the Chassis. After extensive research a Landaulet body was chosen. The body was built in 1958 by W. S. Grice, Body Builder of Summer Hill NSW who built Ambulance bodies at the time which, Margaret supposes, could have been why the body has always been white. This company still exists today. The only modification to the body has been the addition of half-doors to the front cabin. Respecting the chassis number 1492, the Silver Ghost was christened “Christopher”. ‘1492”, with its distinctive Landaulet body has, with the exception of Western Australia, travelled to every other State in Australia numerous times, twice attended Bi-Centennial Rallies, has been used by numerous brides, extensively used by the whole Gillings family and had the distinction of driving NSW Premier, John Fahey, as the first car driven through the Sydney Harbour Tunnel at its opening in 1992. “Christopher – Chassis No. 1492 ” turned 100 years on 28th December, 2010. In the custodianship of the Gillings family it was owned and lovingly maintained for 60years. It proved to be a very reliable vehicle and had not been off the road for more than a few weeks during the period of their ownership. Chassis 1642 was sold to Bill Hall in 2016. Bill has had a complete rebuild of its engine and a new body, built by Roger Fry of Western Australia, fitted. His donation of the Wooden Body is greatly appreciated. A remarkable history for Chassis 1492 and for the Timber Body thus far. Look for notification in future Newsletters as to when this Body will be on permanent display. Photos courtesy of Margaret Gillings, A. Sparks, Brian Crump.

  • Sunburnt Country Supplement | hrfoundation

    The Sunburnt Country. This book is a MUST for all enthusiasts in Australia and indeed for all Rolls-Royce and Bentley owners worldwide. Please note: the "first fifty years" covers 1906-1956. "The Sunburnt Country" Supplement The Foundation published ‘Rolls-Royce and Bentley in the Sunburnt Country - The First Fifty Years in Australia’ in 1999. Soon after the authors, Tom Clarke and David Neely, began compiling a Supplement to include information and images that came and continue to come to light since publication. The book was reprinted May 2022 and includes the Supplements from 1999-July 2021. It is available from the Shop,

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The archival resource and repository for all Rolls-Royce and Bentley heritage material in Australia.

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