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).
List of special customisation requests for a 20 HP car for the Managing Editor of 'The Autocar'.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 5\2\ 02-page121 | |
| Date | 24th October 1927 | |
| S/W. HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} With reference to our conversation at Olympia we are trying to sell a 20 HP. car to Mr. Geoffrey Smith the Managing Editor of 'The Autocar'. He asks for a number of special things in order to enable him to get a special type of body as per the attached sketch (which please return). The following is a list of the items he asks for :- (1) Radiator cap wider and squat, with R.R. mascot. (2) Higher radiator with flat top to give horizontal line with scuttle. (3) Shutters behind radiator, or painted (they totally hide radiator). (4) Nickel headlamps (with Lucas dippers) larger and higher and mounted flush with side lamps, the latter small and mounted direct on wing. (5) Bonnet wider and longer than std. - say 3 to 6" and sides blended in direct line with scuttle. (6) Maximum rake steering for almost vertical 18" thin rim wheels. (7) Cutout to silencer, as on 40/50 h.p. (8) Tuned and geared to 70 m.p.h. (9) Bigger tyres. Query smaller wheels to lower the car. Body. Prefer two-door chummy Weymann type saloon inside wheelbase (see sketch). Observe that waist line is below bonnet line (an essential point) and flush doors to base, enveloping valances. Ventilator under vizor and above the screen (American standard fitting). Welled seats, front separate and sliding, 10° inclined screen with vertical door pillars, about 46" maximum headroom, small permanent trunk (Brooks, to match car) at rear, apron at front (with louvres) to cover straggly springs and axle, Bosch or Alto horn, cigar lighter, vizor, two spare wheels at rear, corner fenders for wings, tool case to hide broken bonnet line on sweeping front wings, spot lights, and inside mirror. White instruments on dash - lamp behind. --------- Will you please look through these and let me have your views as to which we can readily give him without departing too much from our standards, and which items you think we should be unable to give him. C. | ||