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).
Coachbuilding techniques for coupé bodies, with a focus on doors, locks, and pillars, concluding with six recommendations.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 84\1\ scan0279 | |
| Date | 29th May 1934 | |
| -2- contd: EVB/TH.29.5.34. very similar attitude towards the problem to that of Messrs. Vanden Plas. They recommended the use of "silent-bloc" locks and buffers to the doors and the institution of rubber to all parts where contact is likely to occur. (3) Messrs. GURNEY NUTTING & CO. LTD. These people are of particular interest because they have specialised in the building of coupé bodies for Rolls-Royce cars and other high-class chassis. Like Messrs. Vanden Plas a big percentage of their work consists of the 'three-positioned' head (Owen Sedanca Coupé). Their bodies are rather heavy but very strong. They use a cast Alpex screen pillar and very powerful ironing to the door hinge pillars. Their bottomside has no special reinforcement. Here again we found special attention being paid to the movement of the doors. Although an ordinary lock is used, a Bedford buffer, which is equivalent to the "silent-bloc" lock pin, is used together with very large rubber door buffers. These people again strongly recommend the horizontal folding cant-rail powerfully locked to the top of the screen pillar. At all points where there is bound to be relative movement rubber inserts are placed. Because their bodies have the 'three-positioned' head they do not make any in which the hood folds down flush, such as on our bodies. GENERAL CONCLUSIONS. (1) That we should consider the use of either the "silent-bloc" lock, or the Bedford buffer, or, alternatively, something equivalent to carry the front end of the door in all directions. (2) That we should either improve the method of hinging vertically the split cant-rail, or go to the horizontally hinged cant-rail. (3) That the cant-rail must be rigidly and securely attached to the top of the screen pillar. (4) That the screen pillar be made of cast Alpex. (5) That the rear door hinge pillar be more adequately tied to the body in both transverse and longitudinal directions. (6) That all joints where movement is likely to occur be buffered with rubber. | ||