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).
Proposed modifications for a propaganda tour to Nairobi, covering tyres, ground clearance, cooling and fuel systems.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 114\4\ scan0001 | |
| Date | 22th January 1937 | |
| Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}8/R.22.1.37. PROPOSED PROPAGANDA TOUR TO NAIROBI. With reference to the preparation of this car:- TYRES. We cannot use a 16" rim on the wheels owing to interference of the brake drum. We have been in communication with Dunlops, and the largest tyre we could fit without major modifications is a 7½" tyre on the present standard 18" rim. Having no personal experience of desert work, we do not know whether this section of tyre will be adequate. The only alternative is to fit twin wheels as we are doing for Sir Robert Hadfield; this, however, could not possibly be accomplished in the time available, as it means new axle tubes, and a lot of work; furthermore, it will make the car unsightly for propaganda. GROUND CLEARANCE. We shall get a slight increase of .4" in ground clearance with the 7½" tyre; we can get an additional ¾" ground clearance on the sprung portion of the chassis by fitting heavier road springs. ADDITIONAL PETROL TANK. This is not quite as simple as it sounds, but it can be arranged. COOLING. We think it essential that the bonnet sides should be louvered. We have gone into the matter of condensers and think that these can be arranged. We think it necessary to provide a special high speed fan to deal with heavy slow speed work in sand. The cooling of this car with its heavy load is, undoubtedly, going to be a very severe problem on this trip. PETROL PUMPS. On 35-EX for test purposes we have a petrol pump in the frame, as well as a petrol pump on the dashboard. We propose to fit exactly the same scheme to Mr. Symons' car. | ||