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).
Difficulties of fitting a 25 HP engine into a lengthened Peregrine chassis.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 5\1\ 01-page183 | |
| Date | 21th November 1933 | |
| To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} From Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} C. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} C. to C. C. to S. C. to Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} C. to Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} C. to Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} C. to Hdy.{William Hardy} No. 25 HP. CAR. With reference to Wv.2/Wp.18.11.33 the suggestion to adopt a lengthened Peregrine chassis fitted with a 25 HP. engine to improve the 25 HP. car is attractive, but there are one or two difficulties. The Peregrine road springs are considerably shorter than the 25 HP. and it would be difficult for us to get the necessary deflection so as to obtain equal riding to what we have at the present time. The 25 HP. has developed into a family carriage and we cannot afford to let go a bit on riding comfort; to obtain this low rating springs are essential. We expect with the controllable dampers to be able to take full advantage of the low rating springs. Another point which arises is the strength of the rear axle. Although we are using Peregrine rear axle for the Bentley we have altered the low speed gear ratio to reduce the maximum torque on first speed. With the increased weight of the 25 HP. car we should have to stick to the present standard first speed gear ratio. There are certain difficulties as regards getting sufficient room for the silencer. The chassis on the Bentley which is similar to the Peregrine is definitely on the light side. Before we adopt such proportions for a universal car such as the 25 HP. we should like it to be confirmed by the use in customers' hands that it is going to be reliable. The future development of the 25 HP. car is certainly to have more power and therefore if we are going to depart from the present chassis one would like for the design to be such that when the improved engine was available the chassis would be capable of taking the increased performance engine. It is certain now that the present standard 25 HP. car will be all that will be available for 1934 Olympia. The improvements we expect to get on the car by then are :- (1) Controllable dampers. (2) Modified carburetter. (3) Easy brake adjustment. There are a number of small items which are desirable. We think it will be necessary to build up a 25 HP. | ||