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).
Vehicle weight comparisons, the need for weight reduction, and other design concerns.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 107\4\ scan0127 | |
| Date | 5th May 1934 | |
| To Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Copy to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}E.Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} By.Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}Hdy.{William Hardy}Ba.Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} re Weights. Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}12/E3.5.34 Referring to Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}1/KW.28.4.34 I am very glad to note that Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}'s visit to America is causing you to consider seriously this question of weights. You point out that the Terraplane complete weighs about 28 cwt. and the 20/25 complete weighs about 35 cwt. It looks as if much more attention should be given to this matter than has been done in the past and you will probably be as shocked as I am to find that according to Derby's weight records of chassis the Phantom II has increased its weight for the long wheel base by 2 1/2 cwts. since it was first introduced and by 2 1/4 cwt. for the short wheel base. I appreciate that this is largely due to alterations and additions to the chassis, but one wonders whether more could not have been done in keeping weights down than has been done if everybody concerned had always had this important matter in mind. I am having similar information got out in regard to the 20/25 and I rather anticipate that the picture there will be somewhat similar. It looks as if it would pay us handsomely to have some one whose sole duty was to consider this question of weight reduction. There must be many parts on the chassis where the weight could be reduced without risk, i.e. parts which are not subjected to any stress or strain and this is a matter to which doubtless the Americans have been giving particular attention. As regards the luggage grid to which you call attention I agree that this is very bad and the matter is being taken up strongly both with the department and the coachbuilder concerned. As regards the lamps on the Bentley to which you refer, it has been explained that this is largely a question of appearance. When you find that people like Jack | ||