ROLLS ROYCE & BENTLEY PLIERS, ADJ. Spanners

Rolls Royce and Bentley pliers and adjustable spanners
This is not one of the burning issues of our day, however I thought I would attempt to clarify and communicate a minor issue. There are a number of folks who apparently do not know, and do not care, about this accuracy.

Pre-WWII only Lucas was used for both tools. The pliers are the bevel nose type. The adjustable spanner is the Girder “91” without the Crown on the reverse side. The Minor and “93” Major were not supplied. The pliers are plain steel finish, on the far left.

Early Post WAR (EPW) 1946-1956:
ONLY the “91” girder was used; some had the Crown, some were plain. I cannot find a pattern of usage. The girder with the small hole in the lower jaw, is an aftermarket tool, that had accessory jaws. The pliers are Lucas ELEC, with the single side wire cutters. Plain steel finish and then later, white cad was used. Second from the left.

1956-1965:
ONLY Wilkinsons snub nose type pliers (narrow .75 inches); were used. Not the bevel nose. Also some dealers represent the wider Wilkinsons as being correct, but they do not fit the insert. Third from the left. Notice the narrow jaw area, that fits the insert properly. For 1956 thru 1962 Royce and Bentley used the 8 inch Garringtons adjustable spanner. The 4 headlight motorcars, 1963-1965; used the 8 inch King Dick. Not photographed.

1966-1975:
The Lucas ELEC, with double wire cutters, and chrome plating was used. “Rolls Royce” was stamped in the middle, for both marques. Far right, in photo. The Draper girder, with a dark brushed finish was also supplied. I have seen some with no brand. I believe King Dick to be incorrect; however I am not absolutely certain. I really invite information on this!!!

1975-1980

The same pliers were used, but somtimes a different shaped handle, so that some earlier pliers do not fit the "bump" tool kits. The adjustable spanner is a chrome 6 inch King Dick.

After 1980 pliers are a "V" shape, in 2 sizes. The adjustable spanners are 6 inch King Dick and then Gedore after about 1995.

TIPS for 1956-65 PMC Motorcars

ROLLS ROYCE and Bentley TIPS 1956-1965
The following are a number of items that the owner should perform.
Obtain and ACTUALLY read the owners handbook. (I have just received some questions from owners, one who has had the car 10 years. The information was readily available in the Handbook).

Join RROC and The Cloud Society. The technical information from the Cloud Society is well worth the price of admission. Do not procrastinate, just do it.

Check the 11 lubrication points and your spring gaters.
Check the propshaft (drive shaft) for one piece or 2 piece. If it is 2 piece, get 2 extra Woodruff keys, and put them in the glove box. If the prop shaft separates, the motorcar fails to proceed.

Check the weep holes in the engine block. They should be open.

Lift the bottom of the back seat cushion. Many owners have hidden papers and valuables there.

Get the chassis card (build sheet), and read it!!! It states colours, dates and options..

CHECK your own tail lights. Check the turn signals and brake lights during the day and the night. I see soooo many of these cars with poor tail lenses, and I hear soooo many lame excuses. With suvs and speedrockets, it is one of the few tasks you can perform, to protect your car. Horror stories abound.

If the transmission is shifting abruptly, or too slowly, the front or rear bands need adjustment. This needs to be done with special tools, before an overhaul is required.

Check the rear armrest. Some owners are unaware that there are vanities, etc in some armrests.
Remove the hubcaps and loosen a few lugnuts. Some have been secured with an airgun, or have become corroded. The time to discover this is BEFORE there is a flat on the road. A friend recently did this and discovered a MISSING lugnut.

Check the boot tools. Clean the jack, and verify operation. LHD cars either have the Tecalemit grease gun, or the front band tool on the boot floor, next to the toolkit. Check the torch for proper operation. The female power outlet is above the speedometer.

Check your tool kit. There are 5 unique inserts with 6 variants. The definitions are on my other blogs. The tools are rare and valuable. Consider it an investment, to enhance the value of your motor car.

Clean and oil the tools. Even if they are not perfect, you can retard deterioration.

If you have any questions, or want your tools upgraded; contact me. ROYAJUDD@aol.com.
About 90% of the kits have something incorrect. You may not care, but at least you should know.

SPRAY the rubber insert with olive oil. In fact, spray your tires, gaters, and all seals with olive oil. Olive oil has been used as a natural preservative, and anti-oxidant for centuries. Since I co-founded the Posh Gourmet, I have learned a lot, and written articles about the many benefits of olive oil. I would always spray on, in several applications.

When removing the hubcap, DO NOT pry the lip. Use a screwdriver thru the valvestem hole, to pop the cap off. Keep a cheap driver under the tool kit for this purpose.

Do not use wax or oil on the wood. They penetrate into the wood, and reappears after stripping; ruining the refinishing task.

If you have any manuals—peruse them periodically. Even if you do not perform maintenance and repair tasks; you should be knowledgeable. Knowledge is power. It is hard to believe, but not all mechanics know everything. Unless you are dealing with Roger Ford.

Always bring the car up to temperature. Never drive for a few blocks. For every gallon of petrol used, a gallon of H2O is sent into our atmosphere. If the vapor, and system is not hot enough, cold vapor remains in side the exhaust headers, the exhaust pipe and mufflers. One reason that some chaps install stainless systems.

I have created a GYM bag with detaling supplies and tools, to take to shows, unfolded cloth diapers, spray wash, brushes, metal polish, etc.

I have a TOURING bag for each of my motorcars. A few tools, for actual use, duct tape--heavy, some brass fitting for fuel lines (thank you Mr. John Decker), a fan belt (mandatory for air cooled cars like Franklin and Porsche), hand cleaner, flashlight, hose repair kit, emery paper, small file, spray lubricant. I also carry a bar of  IVORY soap----handy for lubricating screws, hose clamps etc.

I also have SURVIVAL KIT: water, small first aid kit, jar of vaseline, lip balm, sunscreen.

And of course, my MATCHING PICNIC BASKETS, ready for that impromtu lunch. I grab a bottle of the Posh Gourmet TASTY Balsamic vinegars, infused olive oils, a jar of pesto, (I go nuts over the Parmesan Pesto, in oil), a jar of olive tampenade. Now all I need is a loaf of bread, some cheese, a little fine meat, and a beverage. Now I am set, for a meal that is equal to my motorcar, and the Love of my Life!!!
So much for grey poupon!!!

Rolls Royce & Bentley SCREWDRIVERS

ENGLISH SCREWDRIVERS, Mostly for Rolls Royce- Bentley from 1934 through 1990:


In the 1930’s all English screwdrivers had wood handles. There are basically 2 types: wood worker and automotive. Most were made in Sheffield, England.
The Royces and Bentley of the Pre-WWII period utilized MOSTLY drivers by Robt. Sorby. (Whenever there is ANY discussion about anything on these marques, the term “ALWAYS” is foolish, and can be refuted.) Most of these motorcars used drivers or turnscrews in 6 inch, 5 inch, 4 inch and 3 inch lengths. The tools lists refer to the length of the blade, NOT the total length. Some chassis types utilized all four—some just 2. Further investigation by individual tools lists, and chassis cards is advisable. I have heard conflicting reports from experts far more knowledgeable than myself.

EPW (Early Post War).
The first kits for RR/B had black bakelite solid handles and were 7 inches long. These were used in 1946 though early 1949. I have previously described the tool kit application. In mid 1949 either a long or short wood handle replaced the black bakelite. The shape is an extended long oval.  NO grooves, as the woodworker tools have. Generally Colonel, or Sorby were the makers. I have found some unmarked and some marked “Sheffield”. Please consider that these chassis were built over a 13 year period. There has been MUCH confusion and misrepresentation on these.

The Silver Cloud/”S” Motorcars
This is simple: ALL screwdrivers are 5.5 inches long, and have a FLAT bulb wood handle. Where the EPW handles are an elongated, symetrical handle; these have a wider radius at the top---and have a flatter curve. They are less BULBOUS, and the RHD S/C II kit shows the driver placed flat.

Silver Shadow, “T”
These motorcars have the plastic FLAT toolkit; and have the English STANLEY “88” screwdriver, with the aluminum screw top and 3 bits. Draper supplied the girder, and BRITOOL supplied the DOE.

Silver Shadow II, Silver Wraith II, “T2”
These motor cars have 2 STANLEY black wood handle drivers. They are model “25’. One slotted and one Phillips is provided. This was the first of the BUMP kits, with bulbs in the lid. The DCE spanners are articulated BEDFORD.

The 1980 and onward
These chassis types utilize a black plastic handle STEADFAST,  or HEYCO (German), with 3 bits. Gedore spanners were provided.