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).
Expressing dissatisfaction with the design and dimensions of an open body for Goshawk 11.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 41\3\ Scan015 | |
| Date | 6th May 1921 | |
| To C.J. from R.{Sir Henry Royce} c. to LHS.{Lord Herbert Scott} c. to PN{Mr Northey} c. to c. to C. c. to Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} X.3730 X.3730 - RE OPEN BODY FOR GOSHAWK 11. X247 I regret to say that I consider the body shewn at Mulliners to be unsatisfactory from many points of view. Perhaps the dimensions sent from here were on the small side, but the chief fault appears to be due to curtailing the room through turning in the sides and curving forward the upper part of the back. I do not profess to know much about the fashion in shapes of bodies, but it is manifest that if it is necessary to curve in the sides of the body, as in this model, it will be necessary to make the body wider so as to give the same amount of elbow room, especially in the driver's seat. Personally, I think such bodies are ugly and especially if this feature is over-done, it will soon go out of fashion again. Regarding the width of the driver's seat, it is advisable that this shall not be less than 41" to 42" at the level of the cushion, and the dimensions of the body so arranged that this shall be 43" to 44" about the position of the elbows, if the sides are high. The upholstery of the rear seat also should be arranged that it is somewhat wider at the elbows than level with the seat. In the hurry of inspecting, it did not occur to me that the back seats had probably been placed forward of our suggested design, owing to the curving forward of the back of the body. It is undoubtedly necessary that more fore and aft room in the rear portion is needed, and it is agreed that 3" or 4" contd:- | ||