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).
Experimental car tests comparing the rust and durability of steel wings versus aluminium wings.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 159\2\ scan0035 | |
| Date | 11th November 1935 | |
| W/S - Hn.{F. C. Honeyman - Retail orders} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}3/KW.11.11.35. Steel Wings and Rust - Experimental Cars. Hn.{F. C. Honeyman - Retail orders}10/MK.{R. E. B. Meade-King} 8.11.35. We have really had little or no trouble with steel wings rusting. We have not, however, had a very wide experience on our 10,000 miles tests. The first car to run completely through such a test was B-56-BN.{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} Hancock reports that these wings are in excellent condition. On every other Bentley which we have run with aluminium wings, at the completion of such a test the wings have been completely scrap. We have run the Cadillac 20,000 miles and have had no rust trouble whatever. We ran the Terraplane 15,000 miles and had no trouble. We have run the Buick and Graham-Paige cars over 10,000 miles and the wings are really in excellent condition. If a small piece of paint is detached by a stone, rust does not appear to set in immediately owing to there being some treatment under the paint. The only time rust has appeared has been when the wing has had a blow as in an accident. Mr. Summers had the aluminium wings removed from his car owing to their cracking and has used steel wings for the past 12 months and considers there is no comparison for durability. As far as our experience so far goes, we would agree with him. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||