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).
Efforts to reduce the weight of various vehicle components, including the engine and chassis.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 65a\1\ scan0004 | |
| Date | 29th October 1925 | |
| To CJ. from R.{Sir Henry Royce} c. to BJ. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} X7770 R2/M29.10.25. EAC. 8. X. 8770 X. 8840 In our new attempt with EAC. 8. we are endeavouring to reduce the weight of the front axle, the radiator, and many other parts, and I think it will be an opportunity of still further testing the reduction in the weight of the flywheel and clutch, and making modifications to the engine to reduce its weight, by cutting out some of the crankchamber weight, by creating a standard, (i.e. parts should pass a weight inspection as well as correct sizes and finish) which it must not exceed, by fitting an aluminium cyl. head, and cyl. block. It is thought that the alum. cyl. head is more important than the block, but at the same time we might find that we could considerably reduce the weight of the block without changing its materials, by making the casting lighter. This reduction of the weight of the chassis is preferable to an increase in HP., because the increase in HP. will demand petrol and tyres, whereas, a decrease in the weight will save petrol, tyres, and other parts. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||