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).
Feedback and proposed alterations to the radiator design on the 12-EX model.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 15\1\ Scan008 | |
| Date | 1st October 1926 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from BJ. [R.{Sir Henry Royce} is struck through] Copy to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} [BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} is struck through] Copy to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Handwritten: X7250 12-EX. Radiator. We noticed on 12-EX that a radiator had been fitted with built-in shutters, which makes it look considerably longer. In addition to this, the bonnet was 1 3/4 inches shorter than standard owing to the stepped cast dash. Our general opinion was that the broader radiator gives the car a heavier appearance and that the look of the car generally was not so good, as the front of the car was losing its beautiful greyhound or express engine appearance, which has always conveyed the idea of dignity and speed. It is hoped that some arrangements can be made which will reduce the amount of radiator which is shown. It is suggested that possibly the 1/4 of an inch, which has been added to the front of the radiator in order to build in the shutters, could be balanced by 1/4 of an inch of the back of the radiator being arranged to project under the bonnet. This would leave the appearance of the radiator to be the same width as previously and would leave the bonnet only 1/4 of an inch shorter than formerly, so that practically no alteration in the external appearance would be made. In addition to this, the front ends of the side plates of the radiator, where they are turned over, have been made round in appearance instead of being finished off with our usual excellent square-cornered finish, in conformity with the rest of the radiator which is such a well-known feature of our cars. When you are next considering the alterations necessary to introduce this new radiator, we shall be greatly obliged if you can have these points altered. BJ. | ||