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).
Vehicle component issues and design feedback for the jacking system, number plates, headlamps, coachwork, and instrument boards.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 135\2\ scan0214 | |
| Date | 14th August 1940 | |
| - 9 - jacked off the ground. This means of course, that our present jacking system controls rear wing design. These jacks are rather flimsy when fully extended, and only a few days ago whilst jacking up 4-B-50 car, the jack bent and then slipped on the Garage floor and let the car down on the brake drum. On most of our Experimental cars at the moment, we carry two jacks because the correct jack brackets are not available. The question of correct bumper bar design to suit jack brackets has yet to be settled. NUMBER PLATES. We do not like the American type of rear number plate, they are continually being bent, and sometimes broken, we still prefer the built-in type although we know it is more costly. The front number plates also are too low, and we are continually pulling them straight. ROAD WHEEL CHANGING TOOLS. These have been fitted under the bonnet on a number of cars and appear satisfactory. HEADLAMPS. Head lamp rattles have been experienced on 3-B-50 and B.22.AW. These have been due to the rubber between the body of the lamp and the glass container squashing up, and allowing metal contact. These rubber rings require a modification. Reported and shown to Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/RC.{R. Childs} COACHWORK. The special Wilmot Breedon lock fitted in 9-B-V N/S front door has twice given trouble through "creaking". This has been caused by the screws securing the striking plate working loose, when re-tightened, the "creak" disappears. The worst feature on our bodies "Sliding Roofs". They have all developed rattles, and when the rattles are cured, the roof is too stiff to slide. On cheap cars sliding roofs seldom give any trouble and are exceptionally easy to operate. Ours are positively disgraceful. INSTRUMENT BOARDS. [Handwritten notes: UD/KP, CH/UD, UD/GEM, JP?, Design] The question is apparently cleared up by Design, and we understand the finished board should be on 2-R-2. | ||