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 to Park Ward & Co. regarding issues with dropping doors and strained hinges on an all-steel body.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 98\5\ scan0231 | |
| Date | 24th January 1940 | |
| 400f. 24th. January, 1940. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/FD.{Frank Dodd - Bodies}1/BA. Messrs. Park Ward & Co. High Road, Willesden, LONDON. For the attention of Mr.Ward.Re. 12.B.V. Coachwork. Dear Sirs, We are experiencing trouble with the doors dropping and the hinges becoming strained on the all-steel body, which is fitted to the above car. It appears, on examination, that the constant opening of the doors to the maximum, has been overloading the check strap, when this is done a severe backwards strain is put on the hinge, which as time goes on takes a permanent set. Consequently, when the door is closed, that hinge strain can be felt tending to spring the door open slightly. The bottom hinge seems to suffer mostly from this trouble, and as would be expected the driver's front door is the worst offender. Naturally, when the hinge alignment is altered, the door drops in sympathy. We should like to have your comments on this trouble, and also, if you would be good enough to send along a door hinge, we would rather like to go into the question of the material. It may be that something with a little more elasticity would be an advantage. Our object is to get the lightened Bentley body, which you will be making, fitted up with some really good experimental features. Yours faithfully, Attached sketch of type of hinge in question. | ||