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).
Strategy and development of the 15-EX Sports Model.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 14\4\ Scan040 | |
| Date | 15th March 1928 | |
| DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} HY.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} from R.{Sir Henry Royce} c. to WGR. B.J. C. c. to CWB. PN.{Mr Northey} SG.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} +7500 R1/M15.3.28. X.7770 X.2256 X.7830 X.3933 X.7500 SPORTS MODEL - 15-EX. I think it is a mistake to consider this cancelled. My views are as follows: (I believe SJ. has the same). I am particularly anxious to push forward the same improvements to the engine and chassis that we have found good for the speed model, so that by when we were delivering complete Continentals our ordinary chassis would be the same, and there would be no fear of trouble with our 95% customers. My idea was not to stop or delay anything, but also not to go ahead before we were ready - i.e. in panic-y haste. Naturally we cannot do everything quickly enough; something must get delayed, and at the moment SJ. and many of us are very anxious to get the 'H' engine and EAC.10 ('SS{S. Smith}') chassis and engine forward. But as we are so nearly finishing the above it ought not to be delayed until it is a complete success. It is so nearly so and should take very little time to clear up the few remaining body and chassis points. You will realise that I never expected any great business in open sports cars, but they should do our general business good to counteract the impression that we are no good for high performance, and personally I should go slowly at ordering any large number of bodies of this type. We have again shewn that speed is dependent on windage, or an incorrect reading speedometer, neither of which we have supplied in the past. Moreover it appears that the usual open touring car will be entirely replaced (when one can afford it) by a speed model. This is at least the feeling that most of us have. Regarding closed speed bodies, these too I fear would have very limited sales, but again we ought to do our best to get a good model body, 4-Seater, light, and with low wind resistance. Apparently the chief improvement in design is to make the support of the steering column, my scuttle, dash etc. satisfactory. I await a drg. from Wittering: you must not put anything in the way of the foot and the pedal. If you trust to making the dust cover a fixing the stay will do very little. Would something like the enclosed sketch be good. SEE ORIGINAL FOR SKETCH+ | ||