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).
The reasons for moving towards a shorter chassis and the associated design modifications.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\N\October1925-December1925\ Scan56 | |
| Date | 24th October 1925 | |
| TO. BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} C. to Ed.{J. L. Edwards} BJ. WOR.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} [struck through] HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} FN. CWB. [struck through] e.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} [handwritten] ORIGINAL [stamp] R6/M24.10.25. EAC. 8. X7770 [handwritten] This chassis is very urgent for the following rea- son:- We engineers all think that too many long chassis are be- ing used, and it is necessary for the good performance of our cars to keep where-ever possible to the shorter wheelbase because this is lighter, has better distribution of the weight between the front and the back wheels, and is much handier in narrow streets, sharp corners, and shunting. further To do this we are pushing the engine/forward 1 1/2", the box [handwritten] steering column 1" further forward. This difference corrects some errors we see in the controls. A stepped dashboard is used, the principal object being to provide a stiffer and nearer support for the steering column, to provide for the convenience of acces- sories, and controls on the bonnet side of the dash, and to main- tain the long appearance of the bonnet. The total of the dash- board improvements relative to the steering column will be several inches, so that the steering column will be shorter, as well as being supported nearer the steering wheel. At the same time we include - in the case of 'D' steer- ing - moving the pedals nearer to the dash, so that in 'C' and 'D' there will be a total of 4" more room available for body space between the drivers pedals and the end of the frame, the advantage being that several bodies previously demanding a long chassis will now-go on a standard chassis, and a new coachbuilders drawing will be needed. (Some bodies I have seen waste the length in misfitting.) [handwritten] (1) | ||