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).
Alterations to the Wraith chassis before production, focusing on wheelbase, weight, and suspension.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 6\6\ 06-page124 | |
| Date | 11th February 1937 | |
| SECRET. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Rml/B.11.2.37. We have carefully considered the position of the Wraith chassis in view of your decision that you want the complete car to have finished its 15,000 miles test before the end of July. We do not see how the wheelbase can be altered at the present juncture, without putting the car back several months. Apart from the alteration to frame dies, the coachwork will cause a further delay. We think that the simplest way to tackle the question of weight is to put an obstruction in the frame so that Coachbuilders cannot make bodies that are bigger than we think desirable, and to ensure that bodies at present in hand which will ultimately be used for Trials Cars should be made to these reduced dimensions. We are entirely in agreement that a short chassis should be put in hand, but consider that this should only be introduced on production, as and when it is ready. We consider that the small wheels should be combined with the short chassis. We may run into trouble if we couple the introduction of a light alloy drum with a simultaneous big decrease in brake drum size. The only 3 features of the Wraith chassis which we really consider should have major design alterations made to them before being put in production are:- (1) Front Suspension. (2) Radiator & Fan. (3) Frame. (1) Front Suspension. We expect to be able to demonstrate by means of a model before leaving for America that the brake gear design for Bentley III can be incorporated on the Wraith chassis in conjunction with the Packard type of suspension. We consider that given the necessary draughtsmen, schemes for this arrangement could be completed in not more than a month, and possibly three weeks. | ||