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).
Correspondence regarding overheating problems with F.W.B. chassis shipped to Australia.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 73\3\ scan0305 | |
| Date | 2nd April 1925 | |
| X.9940 S/W BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}15/BM2.4.25. RE. F.W.B. CHASSIS IN AUSTRALIA. With further reference to recent correspondence re. chassis No.47-AU - we regret to say that Dalgety's have now received a cable to the effect that all the 40/50 HP. chassis with F.W.B's are giving similar trouble to 47-AU through overheating. They add that it is imperative this is rectified immediately and ask for a reply. We have seen C.J. about this complaint and he asks us to take the matter up with you immediately and we trust you will give it the serious attention it deserves. The numbers of the chassis shipped to Australia with F.W.B's are as follows :- To Melbourne. 47-AU - shipped 27.10.1924. 67-AU - " 3.2.1925 (this can only just have arrived). 121-EU - " 31.1.25 ( ditto ) To Sydney. 46-AU - " 4.1.1925. 57-AU - " 21.10.1924. 64-EU - " 6.1.1925. 113-EU - " 26.1.1925. Reading between the lines, we believe that the position is as follows :- Sydney, up to the date of sending Appleby to Melbourne, had not tried any of their 'U' series chassis on the road. This is quite conceivable when bearing in mind the length of time in transit and length of time at Coachbuilders. On Appleby'e return from Sydney to Melbourne after assisting Ford to diagnose the trouble on 47-AU, it was evidently considered advisable to test their 'U' series chassis and the result is, unfortunately, as set out above. There is only one important engine alteration known to the writer on 'U' series chassis which might conceivably bear on the question of overheating - and that is, the alteration to the exhaust pipes. Doubtless you will call a meeting immediately of the Technical experts at 'W' and let C.J. have your views and recommendations as to the cable that should be sent in reply, bearing in mind the cables already sent to xxxx Melbourne re 47-AU full particulars of which are contd :- | ||