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).
'Junior Rationalised Programme' and an analysis of competitor vehicles.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 148\2\ scan0230 | |
| Date | 16th August 1939 | |
| SECRET. 1260 To <s>By....</s> from Da{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} c. <s>Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}</s> Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/NRC.{N. R. Chandler} c. <s>Da{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/Hdy.{William Hardy}</s> <s>Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls}</s> c. <s>Da{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/DB.{Donald Bastow - Suspensions}</s> <s>Da{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/Jnr.{Charles L. Jenner}</s> Da{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}9/N.16.8.39. Re: The Junior Rationalised Programme. -------------------------------- Before starting to project the cars of the Junior Rationalised Programme, we wished to collect all the available data concerning competitive cars in the range. This work has been carried out very thoroughly by NRC.{N. R. Chandler} and recorded on Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}595 and Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}596 prints of which are attached herewith. On Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}595 which is a data sheet covering cars between 1.7 litres and 5.3 litres, of the general utility type, we give all the salient, engine, chassis and body statistics. The range has been extended beyond that of the Junior Programme, so as to serve for the Senior Programme also. The first conclusion which we reached was that we could not make a common body and chassis for both the 1.7 and the 2.8 litre cars if the smaller car were to compare with even the worst of its competitors. Also that the small Jaguar may be an example of a well proportioned car, but it is out of date in power-weight ratio, and body room for wheelbase used. We are glad therefore that it is agreed now to make the chassis in the first instance specifically for the 1.7 litre engine. Should we wish to have a 2.8 litre model it will be produced in one of two ways: (a) A 2.8 litre engine in the Ripplet. (b) A 2.8 litre engine in a lengthened 1.7 litre, chassis with B.5. gearbox and axle. In this lowest range the 14 H.P. Vauxhall will be seen to excel in power-weight ratio and accommodation for wheelbase, and we feel that by the time the junior car (subsequently called the "Myth") may reach the public all other competitors will have been compelled to line-up with Vauxhall. Cont'd...... | ||