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).
Technical review of bodywork and associated details, including wheel carriers, bonnets, horns, and seating.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 12\7\ 07-page045 | |
| Date | 10th January 1929 | |
| HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} c. to BJ. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} c. to C. LHS.{Lord Herbert Scott} CX.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} 47260 R1/M10.1.29. X.7830 X.7600 X.7260 BODYWORK, AND ASSOCIATED DETAILS. The double wheel carrier has done extraordinarily well. The newly designed scheme of bolt and the swinging plate between are the two remarkable features, and I am very pleased with them: (this refers to the first design for 2 wheels that has shoes.) These same features used on the 2nd. design without shoes not yet tested here. CWB., myself and others, consider that it is only necessary to carry one wheel and some spare inner tubes, and for distance touring a spare cover. This we ought to recommend, as side carriers ought to be things of the past. The newly designed bonnet catches - special RR. pattern making the fitting of the bonnet, and the opening and closing, much easier. The lock has not yet fitted to this 19-EX (but it seems O.K. on another.) These fittings should go forward as the present scheme of bonnet fastenings are not up to present ideas. 19-EX has a single piece screen, and my opinion is that this is far preferable to the doubly divided one on 18-EX. If there is no reason to the contrary we ought to recommend this type. The front splasher stays want a little more work on them to make them sound and beautiful. I am very fond of the deep note bulb horn, but perhaps they are not so good and deep in tone as in the past. The Klaxon may be unavoidable but they have never been really nice, and perhaps the Bosch type of electrical vibrator is the best loud signal. Screen wipers. For a long time I have only considered the electric one, being more even in speed etc. than other xxxxx types. Here again the Robert Bosch seem the best available. I know of German difficulty but we must have the best. Our bodywork (Hooper's 19-EX and 20 HP.) seems to get too narrow in the front seats, the doors being very thick and heavy. Can nothing be done to improve this? Personally I think Phantoms should be wide enough to squeeze 3 on each seat requiring another 2" or 3", part of which we ought to get out of the doors. Barker's close coupled 13-EX is better, though it does not look any wider (in front). This 18-EX is an ideal car for for an owner driver and enthusiastic motorist, and should be repeated. It is the finest thing imaginable for comfortable riding, and carrying 4 large, or at a pinch, 5 smaller people. I hope Sales will be able to profitably use DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}'s help in these matters, which would become invaluable (I believe priceless) in time. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||