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).
The coachwork of a Mulliner's Chiswick phaeton, noting defects and points for future improvement.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 46\2\ Scan177 | |
| Date | 19th April 1922 | |
| X4086 Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} from Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} c. to EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} c. to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to LHS.{Lord Herbert Scott} Ev{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}1/M19.4.22. RE. 6-GOSHAWK-11 X.3730 X.4086. I was only able to see the above car - phaeton by Mulliner's Chiswick - for a short time whilst in London, on its way to France. The body was almost a replica of that made for R.{Sir Henry Royce} and fitted to 4-Goshawk-11. The following were points for comment:- 1. The front seats were 2" too low, measuring 11" below the wheel when compressed, but the cushions themselves were not too deep. This defect has occurred on 3-Goshawk-11 limousine, and 4-Goshawk-11 R's phaeton, and seems to be a point which we should give special attention in future cars. In this case the line of sight was so low that it was almost impossible, and a danger, to drive the car. Could not the coachbuilder make a shallow tool-box say 2" deep under the front seat, and so usefully utilise this space? 2. The front seat width of this was 48.5 over the rails at the top, compared with 47 on 4-Goshawk-11, with a corresponding increase width between the compressed squabbing. This 1.5" gave a much better steering clearance for the right arm. We shall adopt these dimensions for the revised Hooper phaeton. 3. Due to excess of luggage on the back seats, it was impossible to inspect the battery clearance for removal. 4. The floor boards fitted very badly round the gearbox tower and apparently only a portion of our beading had been used. contd:- | ||