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).
Internal notes discussing performance issues and proposed modifications for the 20 HP Chassis.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 180\M2\M2.2\ img008 | |
| Date | 1st April 1929 | |
| Notes on 20 HP Chassis. Item 13. We agree with this. There is nothing but praise for the 20 HP from all who have used it inside the firm and customers outside. The chief criticism is [struck out] in respect of absence of sufficient acceleration and power which in many cases results in our losing orders to our competitors. In other words, the criticism of the poor performance does not necessarily come from the owners, but from those who are not owners but might be. Item 14. We agree that of the 4 suggestions given (b) is the more reasonable one for the reasons Mr.Royce mentions, but as to the amount of increase that is necessary, this requires careful consideration, as Mr.Royce quite rightly points out, so that we do not so increase the performance of the 20 HP as to make it a dangerous rival of the 40/50 HP. As regards the last part of this paragraph in Mr.Royce's memo., I am afraid that it would appear as mentioned earlier that Mr.Royce has taken rather too seriously the remarks made in regard to sales having fallen off, and that a new chassis is urgently necessary. This is not really the case. There appears to be no reason why we should in any way take the drastic steps mentioned, as we do not believe that the 20 HP is losing our reputation, but on the other hand is well upholding it, and the only reason for suggesting slightly more power is because, whereas the 40/50 HP has been considerably increased in power by introducing the Phantom, and will now be considerably increased by introducing the "SS{S. Smith}", the 20 HP has not been increased in power since it was originally introduced, whereas the chassis has been increased in weight by the fitting of front wheel brakes and other items; certain of the bodies have increased in weight because fashion has demanded it; the speeds of all cars on the road have increased very considerably because of the efficiency of front wheel brakes whereas the horse-power of the 20 HP has never increased. Items 15 and 16 are dealt with earlier in this memo. In regard to Item 17, the decision of the Board was that the 150 chassis should be brought through with certain agreed modifications. The chassis are due out of the Works in the very near future, and it would appear evident that any intention now to introduce still further modifications would necessarily have the effect of delaying output very considerably. After considering the matter very fully with others | ||