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).
Notes on a visit to Kelsey Hayes to discuss the design, supply, and cost of light wheels.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 159\7\ scan0284 | |
| Date | 20th November 1940 | |
| To Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GB. Copy Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/FJH.{Fred J. Hardy - Chief Dev. Engineer} Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} 1375 Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GB.2/ET.20.11.40. NOTES ON VISIT of Mr. Inglis and Mr. Aylward of Kelsey Hayes, on 19th Nov., 1940. Present:- Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}, Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/FJH.{Fred J. Hardy - Chief Dev. Engineer} and Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GB. The object of the visit was to discuss a light wheel which would be suitable for Myth. In addition we wished to purchase a set of five light 16" x 3" wheels to run on our Vauxhall 10 in order to gain experience. Our visitors pointed out that to make a 16" x 3" wheel would involve experimental tool charges amounting to about £80 as they had no dies to make a centre which would fit a 3" rim. They also pointed out that the weak part of a wheel was the hub flange, particularly around the bolt holes, and the part which reaches from here to the top of the outward circumferential bulge. It followed that if the centre was safe, the wheel was safe. In view of this, Kelsey Hayes were asked to supply a set of five wheels for the Vauxhall with 3½" rims. These are to be run with 5" tyres and are to cost about £10 the set. Messrs. Kelsey Hayes stated that when the part of the centre disc adjacent to the hub flange is conical it is stronger than when parallel. The experimental wheels supplied to Vauxhall were parallel here, and presumably those supplied to us will be the same. An increase in the offset of about .5", as required for the Myth, will add a few ounces to the weight and may reduce the strength of the wheel slightly. A set of Production dies for a wheel costs about £800. Aluminium alloy rims with steel centre discs for a car in the senior range were discussed. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/FJH.{Fred J. Hardy - Chief Dev. Engineer} expected this to halve the weight of the rim and thus save about 35 lbs per car (4½" rim). The question of electrolytic action between steel and aluminium was raised by Mr. Aylward. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} pointed out that, if this occurred, there would be much cause for worry on modern engines, with their various steel inserts and that in any case it should not be difficult to find a suitable protective coat. | ||