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).
Design, weight, and features of a new Special Touring Saloon body.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\V\October1930-February1931\ Scan289 | |
| Date | 4th February 1931 | |
| EX. FROM DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} C. to HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} C. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} CX{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager}/UN [Struck through] DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}1/M4.2.31. X51-0. SPECIAL TOURING SALOON. We send herewith N. Scks. 3211/12. shewing the body for the special touring saloon. After you have arranged with HN.{F. C. Honeyman - Retail orders} to obtain such prints as you require the originals should be sent to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} (not folded) asking him to issue prints, sending us two, and returning the originals. We have shewn what we would term a maximum body, in fact it is more roomy than that on the biggest continental touring saloon, as there is no restriction on the depth of well for the feet of the rear passengers. We have indicated a light construction such as was used on 18-EX. for a panelled body, and the total weight of coachwork should come out at 7.250 cwts., with no sunshine roof. We suggest a weight for the car as follows: Chassis 23 cwt. 2 qrs. 3 lbs. Spares 1 0 1 Accessories 1 1 32 cwt. qrs. lbs. Coachwork 7. 2. 0 Total = 32. 2. 8. This suggests a maximum of 33 cwt. unladen. We again stress this vital necessity of preventing this limit being exceeded. We suggest a louvred bonnet as it adds to the sporting appearance in the eyes of the public. The side hinge of the bonnet must be sheathed to obtain the high waistline. The rear wheel carrier is of the dummy hub type. A dual carrier is also available. The wings can be of 26-EX. type or of the modified type as drawn which we think you will prefer as the curved lines are continued throughout. We believe that 27-EX. looks "cart-horse like" compared with 26-EX. due to the colour scheme. For this type of car light panels with a black head and wings is not artistic. The head should be light and the wings and body the same colour. The wings must have a beaded edge as on 26-EX. which car we painted to match the waist moulding. This has the effect of throwing the lines of the wings in relief. In this case the bead must run along the edge of the runningboard also. Every effort should be made to mask the gap at the scuttle and dash so as to make the bonnet and scuttle look as one. All the tools should be housed in the top of the rear boot. We have indicated a clearance on the body for Hartford friction dampers at the rear, and we suggest that it should be provided in case we have to use them. DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} [Stamp on left side] RECEIVED 5 FEB 1931 | ||