[ROVERNET - UK] Slightly OT but not quite

[Ray]

I have just bought the February edition of the UK mag 'Classics'. Yes, I
know we get it about 2 months late seeing as though we are on the other side
of the world and it has to come out by Tea Clipper etc etc. 
One of the articles concerned a Rolls Royce Merlin V12 (from a WWII
Hurricane fighter) put into RR Phantom based chassis and handmade bodywork.
Very interesting. It made mention that the engine was a genuine Rolls Royce
and not a Rover built version. Can anyone expand on this? Did Rover make
these engines in wartime? And were they only used in fighter planes? I've
not researched this topic extensively but I do know of a Rod Hadfield from
Castlemaine here in Oz who put a supercharged Merlin V12 in a custom built
'55 Chevvy which was supposedly the most powerful road registered car in the
world! The website is www.rodshop.com.au/project55.htm. 
It would be interesting to hear of Rover's involvement with these engines.

Cheers,

Ray Wilkins
Melbourne, Australia
1976 P6B