THE EARL’S CAR

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10305, 14 January 1927, Page 7

THE EARL’S CAR

BIRKENHEAD AMAZES DOWNING STREET. SILK HAT AND' CIGAR, BUT HE RODE IN FORD. LONDON, October 23. Stately policemen and casual waylarers in Downing Street yesterday morning witnessed a phenomenon, writes a correspondent. Some thought it might have something to do with the proximity of Mars; or, alternatively, the coal strike. They actually saw the Earl of Birkenhead, Secretary of State for India—drive up to. No. 10 for the Imperial Conference, in a Ford car. It was a real rattling Ford plebian squeaky horn a very generous ground blue of complexion, with a strident, clearance, and a somewhat antiquated physique; it- might have starred as a museum model at the Olympia Motor Show many, many years ago. What had happened? The youngest constable in Downing Stre(& knew full well that when the Earl did not turn up with a pack of pedigree dogs, he always appeared with a sumptuous yellow Rolls-Royce, or both. But — “You see,” Lady Birkenhead .told tiie “Westminster Gazette” when she had finished laughing, “my own car is undergoing repair. I was using the Rolls myself at the time, and so my husband had to use the Ford—rather an old one, I’m afraid—'which we use at our country house at Charlton for running to and from tlie station!” Lord Birkenhead, as usual, was complete personally with silk hat and long cigar.