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).
Implications of increasing luggage box size and relocating the spare wheel on vehicle handling.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 17\7\ Scan061 | |
| Date | 13th January 1930 | |
| X7810 To C. From Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}1/MJ.13.1.30. +7840 x4521 With reference to C7/C10.1.30. You will note from EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}1/H13.1.30., that the proposal is now to increase the size of the luggage box so that it will occupy the place at present taken up with the spare wheel and to move the spare wheel back. When the trunk is full of luggage the weight distribution will be approximately the same as carrying two spare wheels behind the rear tube. In the Prince of Wales' case we do not think that this will spoil the steering but you will see that the question of actually carrying two spare wheels behind the rear tube does not arise, as obviously if two spare wheels were carried behind the extended luggage box the length of the car would be prohibited. With regard to the lack of steering selectivity when carrying full load and two spare wheels behind the rear tube to which we referred in our report. This really means that if the owner specifies that he will frequently drive carrying the maximum load, the car must be fitted with rather heavy rear springs which will largely overcome the trouble. Really, as a result of our tests, we are in favour of this position of the spare wheels if the owner can put up with the increased length of the car. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||