At the age of 16 Hamish McNaught inherited his grandfather’s 1930 Rolls Royce 20/25, a very handsome car with torpedo tourer coachwork by Rock, Thorpe and Watson Limited.
Once he was able, he began to enjoy the car but a long-term overheating problem, with which the car had suffered for much of its 26 years with the family, became impossible to ignore, and an engine rebuild was the only answer.
Several specialists were very willing to take on the job, but they also wanted to take on about £25,000, which exceeded funds available by about £25000! The car was un-driveable; selling it was unthinkable. Could he take on the job himself?
Although he was studying electrical and electronic engineering at Northumbria University at the time, Hamish had little experience of hands-on motor-engineering, though his father certainly did, and he was fortunate in having knowledgeable friends in the Rolls Royce community, and very importantly, a friendly local garage.
The cause of the problem was found to be a build up of deposits in the cooling system over the cars 90 year life. Repairing the cylinder block involved processes that were many and complex, and the opportunity was taken to overhaul not only major components and ancillaries plus transmission components such as the clutch.
Once reassembled and installed, the engine was very carefully run in and is now performing beautifully, just as Sir Henry Royce intended.
Hamish readily acknowledges the help and advice he has received from many individuals and organisations during the 600 man hour an 14 month project.
An older man now, this 20 year old has acquired many new skills over this period, and is a very worthy Young Preservationist of the Year. He can’t be with us today because he has just joined the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, and thinks that asking for leave after only two weeks might not be a good idea. His parents are here to receive the award in his place and we hope to see the car itself on another occasion.