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).
The performance of Mulliner's bodywork after a 15,000-mile test in France.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 181\M13\M13.2\ img023 | |
| Date | 14th October 1931 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} From Ha/GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} c. to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to F.{Mr Friese} Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} C. Ha/GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}10/MJ.14.10.31. x.5830. x.293. RE. MULLINER'S BODYWORK FITTED ON 19-G4 & RUN 15,000 MILES IN FRANCE. We have always had to complain of the bodywork failing, wings cracking and breaking away from the running boards, doors dropping, excessive door rattles, windows rattling, etc., on expensive bodies that have run 15,000 miles in France. The Mulliner's body fitted to 19-G4 we understand, was very much cheaper. It had steel wings, sunshine roof, and cheap locks. The body panels are particularly dead, i.e. there is no vibrations from them which are prone to cause booms. This bodywork has remained in a very good condition considering that the car has been run over more rough roads than usual during a 15,000 miles test. This test being increased to 15,000 miles, has therefore been more severe. It is the first time that no repairs have had to be made to the front wings, through cracking. There has also been no breaking of the attachment of the wings to the running board. These are fastened by a spring lock, which eliminates the vibrations. There has been less rattles develope in the doors and windows. We have had no water driven in through the windscreen or the roof. The only objectionable feature of the body which was reported in our first report was the catches of the locks, these were not sunk in to the door posts and were fastened with brass wood screws which broke off with the continual shutting of the doors. This feature was remedied by using steel screws. We consider that apart from this feature the body-work is a good proposition, and is the best we have tested. Ha/G.W.Hancock. | ||