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).
Inspection report and technical analysis of a Daimler 3½ litre chassis.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 126\4\ scan0089 | |
| Date | 26th September 1935 | |
| CONFIDENTIAL Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} X1057 Mr. and Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} (crossed out) c.c. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} Hms. (crossed out) Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} (crossed out) E.3/HP.26.9.35. re Daimler 3½ litre Chassis. Yesterday morning I went to Park Wards to see a sample of the above chassis which Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} had informed me was available for inspection. The engine is a straight '8' with a non detachable head and it would appear to be a somewhat difficult job to tackle the reassembly of such a long cylinder block of 8 pistons after decarbonising. The engine looks very long and carries on the rear end a unit gearbox of the usual Daimler type. This unit gearbox is somewhat of a departure for Daimlers and in addition there is an extension on the rear end of the box about 10" long, apparently arranged to keep down the length of the transmission shaft. The nett result is a very long open space in the frame for carrying the power unit, but to overcome as far as possible the disadvantages of this the front arms of the cruciform crossmember have been extended far forward at an acute angle. The rear arms of the cruciform member extend backwards at a less acute angle, making the cross assymmetrical. The rear arms extend sufficiently far back beyond the front ends of the rear springs to provide base enough for cantilever tubes to carry the front ends of the front springs, the tube being fixed in two places, one in the side channel and one on the cruciform arm. It is, therefore, apparent that the cruciform member of the frame is a long way back and it is not possible to fit bodywork with rear foot wells. The cruciform member is strengthened by having a very broad straight member passing through the centre of the cross from one side of the frame to the other. The frame side channels are of open section, of very light gauge .080" thick, and are | ||