1913 royal mail roadster
The 1913 Royal Mail Roadster is a rare and historic vehicle!
The Royal Mail Motor Service was a pioneering company that introduced the first motorized postal delivery service in the UK in 1902. In 1913, they introduced the Royal Mail Roadster, a purpose-built vehicle designed for postal delivery and designed to navigate the narrow streets and alleys of urban areas.
Here are some interesting facts about the 1913 Royal Mail Roadster:
- Design and Construction: The Roadster was built by the Royal Mail Motor Service's own engineering department, using a combination of traditional coachbuilding techniques and innovative design features. It had a lightweight steel chassis, a wooden body, and a 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine producing around 20 horsepower.
- Unique Features: The Roadster was designed to be compact and agile, with a short wheelbase and a low center of gravity. It had a distinctive "dog-leg" rear axle, which allowed the vehicle to turn tighter corners and navigate narrow alleys. The vehicle also featured a unique "post-box" style rear compartment, which could be opened to deliver mail to customers.
- Postal Delivery: The Roadster was designed specifically for postal delivery, with a large cargo compartment in the rear for carrying mailbags. The vehicle was equipped with a special "mail-sorting" system, which allowed the driver to quickly sort and deliver mail to customers.
- Rarity: Only a handful of Royal Mail Roadsters were built in 1913, making it a rare and highly sought-after collector's item today.
- Preservation: The 1913 Royal Mail Roadster is now preserved at the Royal Mail Archive in London, where it is on display for the public to admire.
The 1913 Royal Mail Roadster is an important piece of automotive and postal history, showcasing the innovative design and engineering of the early 20th century.