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).
Use of bonnet louvres versus shutters, considering their impact on engine noise and the brand's reputation for silence.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 66\3\ scan0194 | |
| Date | 22th September 1927 | |
| To BY from BJ. Copy to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} Copy to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} [Handwritten: HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} (crossed out)] [Handwritten: X8760] Bonnet Shutters. BJ26/E22/9/27 Referring to BY11/H19/9/27, I explained to R.{Sir Henry Royce} to-day that anything which would make the Phantoms noisier would be very much to our disadvantage as RR's reputation for silence was so extremely valuable. It was agreed by our conference at Derby yesterday, at which Rg.{Mr Rowledge}, Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}, EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} and Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} were present, that a car with louvres was bound to be considerably noisier than without. Unfortunately drivers invariably run their engines rather fast even when standing outside a house or in the street. This to a certain extent has been caused by the uncertainty of the engine running at a constant speed when throttled down, which has given the drivers the impression that there is a risk of their engines stopping unexpectedly in traffic unless they are run fairly fast. It is appreciated that there are certain distinct advantages in having louvres but, if they destroy the reputation of the RR cars for silence, it would be extremely dangerous and damaging to adopt them. R.{Sir Henry Royce} kindly said he would consider the possibility of introducing a shutter at the back of the bonnet which will be comparatively easy to open and close, and it will be of a simple and inexpensive design as compared with the present shutter. Louvres will be used on all the new sports models and on all cars being sent to permanently hot countries. There appears to be no option, until the new shutter has been designed, but to continue to use the present shutter, one on each side at the back of the bonnet. BJ. [Stamp: RECEIVED 1 OCT 1927] | ||