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).
Justifying the increase in car weight due to necessary design changes in components like the clutch, engine mounts, and chassis frame.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 10\5\ 05-page103 | |
| Date | 1st September 1938 | |
| - 2 - BY.17/G.1.9.38. It is clear, therefore, that the increase of weight of the cars is not due to differences in weights of parts of cars made by the Works as against the original experimental car, but is due to necessary changes in design. For instance, a clutch mechanism change of 2 lbs. was demanded by the fact that under certain conditions an extremely violent clutch judder could be produced - this was due to the fact that the engine moved relatively to the clutch operating mechanism, although features were on the car with the object of causing the end of the clutch lever to move in synchronism with the engine, the gear, however, was not accurate, the new gear completely eliminates the fault. Again in the engine mounting the smoothness attained in the present chassis is practically eliminated due to the modified engine supports, and at an increase of weight of 22 lbs. they are actually economical, both as viewed from increased cost and increased weight. There is one other aspect of the matter, which in fairness to the Design and Experimental Departments must not be overlooked viz. that the chassis frame is over 100 lbs. heavier in the case of the Wraith than the 25/30 it supersedes, and therefore in other directions a reduction in weight has been achieved which has practically eliminated the increase in frame weight demanded in the interests of frame stiffness to give good riding quality. BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} [Signature] | ||