From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Letter from Rudge-Whitworth Ltd. discussing the practical difficulties of manufacturing all-aluminium wheels.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 159\7\ scan0179 | |
| Date | 22th March 1935 | |
| 7421 RUDGE-WHITWORTH LTD TELEPHONE 4001 TELEGRAMS RUDGE COVENTRY RUDGE WORKS COVENTRY GLH/S 22nd March, 1935. W. A. {Mr Adams} Robotham, Esq., Messrs. Rolls-Royce Ltd., D E R B Y. Dear Mr. Robotham, Replying to your letter of the 21st inst., we have from time to time given a lot of consideration to complete wheels in light alloy. As you refer to the pressed steel wheels of American origin, it looks as though you are thinking of an all-cast aluminium wheel. This, of course, is the method Bugatti employed but dropped it because among other reasons too much heat ran from the brakedrum to the tyre. There are obviously quite a few practical difficulties to be overcome and equally obviously it is a long way off being a commercial proposition. For this reason it has not been possible for us to make any all-aluminium experimental wheels. If, however, you should ever come to think of the matter seriously, we should be very glad to consider any proposals you put up and do our best to assist. Yours faithfully, For RUDGE-WHITWORTH LTD. Tech. Development Dept. MAKERS OF RUDGE-WHITWORTH BICYCLES AND RUDGE MOTOR CYCLES EDWARD DE STEIN, CHAIRMAN. SIR HERBERT E. {Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} BLAIN, C.B.E. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN. MAJOR GERALD R. {Sir Henry Royce} ASHTON. THE HON. J. {Mr Johnson W.M.} MULHOLLAND. FRANK G. {Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} WOOLLARD, MANAGING DIRECTOR. | ||