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).
Issues with bodies for experimental cars and proposing cost-saving solutions.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 41\4\ Scan197 | |
| Date | 29th August 1924 | |
| 43729 To RG.{Mr Rowledge} HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} } FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} SECRET. R3/M29.8.24. c. to CJ. BJ. DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} RE. VISIT OF RG.{Mr Rowledge} & HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} TO WW. 27th. & 28th. inst. X. 8830 X. 3730 X. 3729 BODIES FOR EXPERIMENTAL CARS. From time to time we seem to get bodies on experimental cars which do not conform to our requirements, particularly with regard to the seating position of the driver. On the cars brought by Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} (ugly and inefficient, i.e. bulk and comfort) it has been found necessary even for a 6 ft. driver to use back packing cushions from 3" to 6" thick which are naturally not entirely satisfactory. I therefore think the design of all bodies for experimental cars should be controlled from WW. by EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}, so that we can avoid waste of time and money. EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} suggests we order shell bodies only upholstered, but in the grey, and that we fit these to the chassis ourselves, and get wings and other fittings from any source convenient. EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} also has proposed to put in an ordinary 40/50 engine in the dummy EAC.2. chassis for the coachbuilders to work to. It would be cheaper however to order shell bodies to only such construction as is necessary for this purpose. This would give the shape of the frame, (1" wider in the case of EAC.2.) but would not give bonnet, steering wheel, pedals, road wheel particulars etc. all of which are new in EAC.2. We shall do nothing further until we receive Mr. Johnson's instructions. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||