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).
Engineering memo explaining the reasons for urgent chassis modifications to favor a shorter wheelbase.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 65a\1\ scan0002 | |
| Date | 24th October 1925 | |
| To BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} from R.{Sir Henry Royce} c. to CJ BJ. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} PN.{Mr Northey} CWB. c. to C. X.7770 R6/M24.10.25. EAC. 8. This chassis is very urgent for the following reason :- We engineers all think that too many long chassis are being used, and it is necessary for the good performance of our cars to keep where-ever possible to the shorter wheelbase because this is lighter, has better distribution of the weight between the front and back wheels, and is much handier in narrow streets, sharp corners, and shunting. To do this we are pushing the engine further forward 1 1/2", the steering box 1" further forward. This difference corrects some errors we see in the controls. A stepped dashboard is used, the principal object being to provide a stiffer and nearer support for the steering column, to provide for the convenience of accessories, and controls on the bonnet side of the dash, and to maintain the long appearance of the bonnet. The total of the dashboard improvements relative to the steering column will be several inches, so that the steering column will be shorter, as well as being supported nearer the steering wheel. At the same time we include - in the case of 'D' steering - moving the pedals nearer to the dash, so that in 'C' and 'D' there will be a total of 4" more room available for body space between the drivers pedals and the end of the frame, the advantage being that several bodies previously contd :- | ||