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).
Body design suggestions, weight analysis, and a critique of the paint finish.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 117\3\ scan0059 | |
| Date | 15th May 1940 | |
| -7- Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/RJTH.NO/JH.15.5.40. (e) Sliding roof drip tube cover planted on outside of cantrail panel is both untidy and cheaper looking - it should be made in the cantrail panel if possible. (f) The screen wiper blade ramps screwed below the windscreen could be eliminated by arranging for ramps to be made in the panel. ORIGINAL COVER. SUGGESTED COVER. Weight of Body. In collaboration with Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/FD.{Frank Dodd - Bodies} the weight of the body has been looked into and is calculated at 9 cwt. 1 qr. 12 lbs. a reduction of 14 lbs. on previous B.V. bodies such as 9.B.V. This is considerably heavier than a 6 light Rover saloon and a comparison of the two bodies will be the subject of a memo. to follow. Paint. The general appearance of the paint is 'dead' whilst a closer inspection reveals a finish which would certainly not be accepted by makers of medium priced cars such as Rover. There appears to be too much stopping used to cover panel joints and other defects. Owing to Messrs. Park Wards Paint shop not being equipped with ovens, advantage cannot be taken of the use of modern high-gloss celluloses, and of synthetic stoppings (quick drying) and undercoats with good properties of adhesion. The type of stopping now in use tends to crumble when dry and looses its adhesion to metal, resulting in small pieces falling out, leaving the surface of the metal exposed to damp, which quickly creeps under the cellulose and lifts it. The painted surface of the body shows far too many underscratches due probably to flatting the filling and colour coats before they are thoroughly dry. The wheel discs being cellulose sprayed, lead one to expect that a rapid deterioration of the surface will take place, due to mud and flying stones, whereas modern synthetic finishes are designed to stand up to such treatment, without ill effects. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/R.J.T.Hewitt. | ||