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).
Development of a 10 HP monocoque car, focusing on road noise analysis and comparison with a Vauxhall 10.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 117\2\ scan0343 | |
| Date | 24th April 1940 | |
| 1021 To Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} re 10 H.P. Monocoque Cars. As requested we have discussed with Mr. G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} Bastow the question of discovering the best Monocoque 10 H.P. car. He says that the 10 H.P. Vauxhall as produced is not good, and experimentally they have discovered how to make a big improvement, chiefly by dealing with the floor. Since he has no knowledge of the existing standard of excellence of the present Rolls-Royce Rationalised Models, he cannot say what relation exists between these cars and the best experimental Vauxhall 10 in the matter of road noise. We propose endeavouring to borrow a Vauxhall 10 and a standard Rolls-Royce, so that we with him can make some comparisons. Mr. Bastow, says that he would propose that, before we spend time and money on designing and producing a monocoque car we should buy such a car and do development work on road noise. The success or failure of these efforts would tell us what to go for on Myth. He says that the testing could be carried out on drums with the tyres bound with rope spaced to represent sets. If ability to produce variable speeds is available, the vibrations can be analysed and any particular resonances dealt with systematically. Sound analysis equipment would be of extreme usefullness. It is suggested that if a monocoque of existing type were to receive the luxurious interior trimming, such as cushions, headcloth and carpet, coupled with the sound damping such as we normally provide the gulf between this method of construction and the orthodox might not be nearly so great. In most cases the competitive price at which the car is sold has been achieved only by cutting the weight to a minimum on every component in the car. P.T.O. | ||