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).
Weight and construction of a 'Paris Trials Car' with steel panelling.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 27a\1\ Scan264 | |
| Date | 6th April 1935 | |
| To EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} From Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. to WOR.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to Sr. 46013 HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer};1/KW.6.4.35. Paris Trials Car. We saw this car in process of being built when we were in Paris for the Salon. We were particularly interested in it because it had a considerable amount of steel panelling, also steel front wings. We wrote recently to Sr. to enquire whether it was (a) standing up to French conditions, and (b) what the weight was. The information received is that the body weighs almost exactly the same as our present standard Saloon, i.e., 980 lbs. As there is always a considerable amount of confusion about body weights, as to what exactly is included, we have written to Paris to obtain the curb weight of the complete car and a list of the accessories and tools fitted, which confirm this figure. We are proposing to try this car next time we are in Paris, but in the meantime should be interested to know (1) is there any fundamental objection to the pillarless Saloon type of construction, because if it will stand up to French conditions it should be O.K. for England; (2) Can this construction be considered to be fundamentally lighter than the normal Saloon ? Four photographs of the Paris Trials Car are attached to EV{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}'s copy of this note. HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||