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).
Post-test examination and analysis of a Cadillac's composite wood and steel body.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 125\2\ scan0147 | |
| Date | 13th November 1934 | |
| To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Copy to W.o.r. C.C. re Cadillac. Referring to the above car which is now running on test in France, you will doubtless remember that I arranged for Mr.Sclater Booth of Hooper's to have this car examined when we first received it and I understand that a copy of his letter to me of the 13th August was sent to Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} The second paragraph of that letter deals with the body construction as far as it was possible to ascertain information about it without actually lifting upholstery etc. If the body stands up satisfactorily on test, then I think that, when it comes back, we ought to have the car in London, remove the body in order to weigh it and have the upholstery removed where necessary to reveal the method of construction so that we may show it to the coachbuilders with whom we deal. Judging from Mr.Sclater Booth's preliminary examination the body is not an all-metal one but a composite wood and metal body with steel panels instead of aluminium. The steel panels would necessarily tend to increase the weight of the body but we can only judge of the effect actually by removing the body and weighing it and one does not of course know without further examination how much of the rigidity of the body is being obtained from steel panels. No further action is called for until the test has been completed and the results known but I take it that you would be agreeable for the above to be carried out and, if you are anxious to have the chassis back at Derby to examine it without delay, this could go back separately whilst we have the body in London. Please let me have your views. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} | ||