Rolls Royce Armoured car 1920 MK1 Cobi 2988 - Great War

You know that:

• When the first British armoured unit was established in 1914, it was at a time when no armoured vehicles were yet available.
• In September of that year, all the chassis originally intended for the assembly of Silver Ghost luxury civilian cars were requisitioned by Rolls Royce for wartime use.
• Within a month, with significant assistance from Air Chief Marshal T. G. Hetherington, the design of an armoured car with a swivel turret on a Rolls Royce chassis was developed.
• The first three vehicles were delivered to the front in early December 1914, replacing primitive predecessors also from the RR factories.
• Production lasted only until 1917, when it was decided to curtail production of the cars in favour of aero engines.
• The armoured vehicle was made famous during the desert campaign against the Turks by British officer Thomas Edward Lawrence. When asked by reporters about the most valuable thing in the world, he replied, "If I own a Rolls Royce with enough tyres and petrol to last me the rest of my life."
• In the 1920s, the vehicles were modernised and new modifications with a commander's cupola and reinforced armour were also made.
• In all, about 120 were produced.
• Seven vehicles survive today, one of which can be found at the Bowington Tank Museum.

Technical parameters:

• dimensions: length 50.05 m, width 1.95 m, height 2.45 m
• weight 4 250 kg
• armouring 8 mm 
• propulsion unit 6-cylinder petrol engine with a power of 60 kW
• maximum speed 96,5 km/h
• range 290 km
• armament water-cooled Vickers 303 machine gun, 7.62 mm calibre
• crew 3-4 persons