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).
Letter discussing the performance of a Buick, requesting vehicle dimensions for wind resistance analysis and showing interest in a Lincoln Zephyr.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 125\3\ scan0058 | |
| Date | 12th November 1938 | |
| Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}1/R.12.11.38. 1049. 12th November, 1938. R.{Sir Henry Royce} Banks, Esq., Ethyl Export Corporation, Thames House, MILLBANK. S.W.1. Dear Banks, It was very good of you to lend me the Buick car. Here is its horse-power curve compared with that of a production Bentley. It comes out well above any other American car which we have so far tested, but, of course, does not show so high a horse-power per litre as the Bentley, otherwise they would be pulling about 115. In order to include on the Buick chart the specific wind resistance I should like to know:- (1) The exact weight on the front and rear wheels. (2) The approximate height of the body from the floor. (3) Its width at the widest position, and (4) The width across wing, i.e., I want sufficient information to get its approximate frontal area. We did not have time to get this the other day without delaying your Representative. When we have thesefigures we will include it in the table, and let you have results. I am particularly anxious to get hold of a Lincoln Zephyr as I told you, and should you be able to lay your hands on one I should be very grateful. Yours sincerely, | ||