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).
Issue of doors flying open on experimental cars.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 117\3\ scan0369 | |
| Date | 13th March 1941 | |
| To Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/EAG. from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Copy to Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Wym.{G. Harold Whyman - Experimental Manager} 1021 Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}1/ET.13.3.41. DOORS FLYING OPEN - EXPERIMENTAL CARS. There have been a number of cases lately of doors flying open on experimental cars. We believe the explanation for this is that the doors are not properly shut due possibly to corrosion of the rubbing parts and/or expansion of the draught seal due to moisture, in consequence of which the door is stuck in the closed position, without the lock going home. When the car goes over a bump the door opens because the safety catch has not sufficient margin to prevent the door being finally released. We have heard various suggestions that, when the handle on the inside of the door is put up to lock position, it affects the security of the striker, but we cannot understand how this happens. We should like a report on these locks. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||