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).
From Rolls-Royce of America discussing the issues with bonnet shutters and recommending their omission.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 119\3\ scan0072 | |
| Date | 19th October 1920 | |
| X1085 Qy13/G - 19.10.20. Oct. 19. 1920. Mr. Claude Johnson, Managing Director. Rolls-Royce Ltd., London, England. Attention: Mr. Hives. Dear Sirs, Re: Shutters in Bonnets. In reply to Mr. Hives' memo Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}3/LG21.9.20, the concensus of opinion here is that shutters in bonnets are never used and that in none cars out of ten they are so throughly jammed by the coachbuilders paint work that it would be difficult to open them. Mr. Caswell drove from Chicago in the middle of the summer (1000 miles) at high speed with a blanking plate on the radiator and the shutters closed and never had his engine temperature above 90. Mr. Caswell and Mr. Gardner agree that they know of no case where these shutters have been opened. We find that the shutters do tend to rattle, and we therefore think it would be very desirable if they were omitted. Yours truly, ROLLS-ROYCE OF AMERICA. INC. Per._________ MO/G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} CC Mr. Hulley, Mr. Caswell. Mr. Gardner. | ||