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).
Article from 'The Autocar' magazine about the evolution of car tail design, with illustrations.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 161\1\ scan0131 | |
| Date | 15th July 1938 | |
| 118 The Autocar, July 15th, 1938 STUDIES in TAIL DESIGN A FEW years ago the back of the average car body was mostly an upright, rather square panel, which served as a useful place on which to hang the number plate, rear light, and other odds and ends. The first of these was the spare wheel, and a very convenient place it was, but it hardly made the car look more appealing. Later on, the question of carrying luggage arose, so a large and ugly metal grid was added which protruded well beyond the spare wheel. The idea was that suitcases could conveniently be strapped on to this platform and, quite often, just as conveniently lost en route when the strap broke. Then bumper bars were invented and, as a rear bumper was obviously no use unless it entirely protected the rear of the car, it had to be put in such a position that it stood out beyond the luggage grid, and so, bit by bit, the latter end of the car began to resemble nothing so much as a collection of assorted ironmongery. Fortunately, however, the “trend of modern design,” as it is called, has changed all this. Gradually the body designer has realised that the only sensible place for luggage is inside the tail, protected from rain and theft, and in some instances room has been found to enclose the spare wheel, too, though it is occupying valuable space that may be badly needed by the motorist on tour. At first, the advent of streamlining tended rather to involve the issue. Tails became more pointed and luggage space suffered accordingly for a time. Furthermore, the question of overhang arose, for, in an endeavour to solve the need for both streamlining and ample space, tails became longer and more pointed, until on some models they protruded far behind the rear wheels, upsetting weight distribution, and consequently also the road-holding of the car. A long tail is vulnerable and liable to damage when reversing. So a new technique in body design has been created. The tail of the car is no longer an afterthought, but has become instead an essential part of the general layout of the body with as much care lavished upon it as the frontal treatment obtains. Long sweeping lines are... CAPTIONS: DELAHAYE : The spare wheel is enclosed in the boot lid{A. J. Lidsey}, in this Wingham Martin Walter design. CADILLAC : Bulbous tail and wings are characteristic of many American makes. (Right) CHRYSLER : This Carlton body has a turtle-back tail with a pronounced “spine.” MERCEDES : The number plate, rear bumpers and rear lights are particularly neatly grouped. CHRYSLER : Roominess, but with an absence of... ALVIS : Smooth-flowing lines characterise this Lancefield body, on which the hood is concealed when folded. LAGONDA : A typically English drop-head coupé with a graceful swept tail minus bumpers. (Right) ROVER : The cover for the spare wheel is moulded with the lid.{A. J. Lidsey} | ||