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).
Report page discussing vehicle aerodynamics, customer suggestions, and performance tests related to drag.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 160\2\ scan0163 | |
| Date | 4th December 1933 | |
| -3- EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}1/KT.4.12.33. rear wings, either standard or cycle type do not, provided the latter are faired to the body. Apparently the streamlined car with no front or rear wings, and an undersheet, would lap at 100 M.P.H. This could be done with the 11 x 41 axle. (4500 R.P.M. = 102.5 M.P.H.) (7) Customers suggestions that our standard saloon would go a lot faster if it had more skimpy wings and a bit of a tail are shown by these tests to be almost ludicrous. It is obvious that what the public accepts as a streamlined sports body may be sporting in that it has no driving vision, mud slinging wings, and a loud exhaust, but aerodynamically it is little better than a standard saloon. (8) That the standard saloon in reverse would lap Brooklands at 95 M.P.H. goes to prove out deduction No.5. On this basis streamlined saloon in reverse would lap at 100 M.P.H. All this goes to prove that the original and fundamental shape of the orthodox car with an engine in front is wrong, and when one does the best with detail modifications to its shape the drag is only slightly reduced. Of the 92.5 H.P. at the road wheels, 81 H.P. is being used to get it through the air. It is fortunate perhaps that the drag varies as the square of the speed, or we might not get up the slightest incline in top gear without a big drop in speed. EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} | ||