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).
Response letter concerning an investigation into excessive temperatures in the driving compartment.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 89\5\ scan0001 | |
| Date | 7th December 1936 | |
| Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}4/R.{Sir Henry Royce} Major A.{Mr Adams} Seymour Mead, St.{Capt. P. R. Strong} George's Hall, Hulme, MANCHESTER. Dear Sir, Thank you for your letter of December 3rd. We have made a considerable investigation into the cause of excessive temperatures in the driving seats of our cars. The outcome of this research was that most of the discomfort in the driver's seat can be attributed to convection, i.e., small leaks around the pedals and change speed levers, which allowed currents of hot air to penetrate into the driving compartment. These currents have been eliminated as far as possible on the P.III, and, in addition the dashboard and floorboards have been heavily insulated with non-conductive material, though we know that this particular feature is only of secondary importance. From personal experience of driving a car in Southern Spain, I cannot agree that under anything but most extreme conditions the front compartment becomes un-pleasantly warm; on the other hand, in cold weather I do feel that the driving compartment is not as warm as could be desired. Only a small percentage of our customers fit car heaters. We have investigated the possibility of using two silencers which, of course, are used on some of the larger American Vee engines, but have not been able to satisfy ourselves that we gain any advantage thereby. | ||