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).
Reviewing the use and cost-effectiveness of subframes, particularly on the 25 HP model.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 14\8\ Scan296 | |
| Date | 5th March 1931 | |
| To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} From Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to Da{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}1/U.5.3.31. X.7380. X.5380. SUBFRAMES. We think it would be a good time to review the question of subframes. If you take the case of the 25 HP., for several years now all Expl. cars have been fitted with subframes whereas none have been used on production. We have no positive evidence that the cars with a subframe behave any differently to those without. With the Standard bodies on the 25 HP. without subframes the usual practice is to put rubber between the body and the bracket on the frame. As regards the life of the bodies, this is difficult to judge. We get any amount of trouble with those fitted with a subframe which we run in France. It has been agreed that in future we shall give up all idea of using the subframe on the 25 HP. As regards Phantom II, we understand the cost of the subframe is approximately £17. We are doubtful whether the subframe is worth it, we cannot put forward any distinct advantages which the customer would appreciate. We don't want all our lives to carry the subframe unless it is justified. We recommend that you order about 3 standard stock bodies to be made without subframes which will be sold in the usual way but we could make a special point of trying them out before they are sent away. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||