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).
Car body construction, strength, weight, and suspension issues.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 74\1\ scan0079 | |
| Date | 14th November 1911 guessed | |
| (4) adjustable dovetail-dowel improves matters. Bodies built under present weight limits are not strong enough to support themselves especially at rear. To support itself, metal plates or angles should be fitted along the runners, for heavier door pillars & a stronger roof must be used, the increase in weight over ordinary bodies would be one or 1/2 cwt. or more. Even then 4 point suspension would be doubtful - the points would have to be at 4 corners of platform, not under door pillars, & twist of chassis due to one wheel rising would be transmitted in the worst manner to the body. Separate chassis & body dashes would be necessary. 6 or 8 points of suspension are asked for. A strip of grease-treated felt, 2" thick, would be better than separate points, this would be flexible & would insulate door-pillars etc from vibrating machinery & prevent some of the 'whip' here. Generally, however, it is considered that when body is bolted directly to frame the strength of the two is combined & with this idea coachmakers believe a deeper & stiffer frame would overcome all door rattles, provided the doors fit well in the first place & that bodies are sent in for overhaul every 1500 miles. | ||