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).
Major body troubles experienced over three years, including water leaks, rattling roofs, and exhaust heat issues.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 133\4\ scan0297 | |
| Date | 24th November 1942 | |
| -con'd- - 6 - good performance, we still have a lot of work to do however to get some of the noise out of the engine. Major troubles with B.V and B.60 Bodies. The main troubles that we have experienced during the last three years are as follows :- 1. Water entering body through the rear light. 2. Rattling sunshine roofs and inadequate draining facilities from the roof. 3. Heat to the rear seat from the Exhaust System. Item 1. 3.B.50 and 12.B.V have both suffered from water "seeping" through the plastic around the rear light frame and soaking the back of the rear squab. This is a serious matter because it cannot be detected until rear squab is removed ( this is a rare occurance in customers hands) or the objectionable mouldy smell in the car leads one to investigate. 12.B.V Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}'s car was in a frightful state after 48,000 miles, all the rear upholstery being so damp and mouldy that it had to be replaced, and the metal parts had gone rusty. This definitely requires design attention. Item 2. The rattling sunshine roofs on our cars is very annoying because most cheap cars do not suffer from this trouble, and again a better design is required. The water drain holes from the sunshine roof are too small and very easily become blocked up. Item 3. Bg's car suffered badly from this trouble and apart from fitting an aluminium and asbestos shield between the body and Exhaust system we also had to modify the body at the bottom of the rear squab to allow an air flow space between the heat shield and the body. The rear squab and rear cushion as at present designed are such that when a person sits on the rear seat the cushion is depressed to such an extent that there is a gap between the bottom of the rear squab and the rear of the cushion of at least 4". This of course allows hot or cold air to strike ones back. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Wym.{G. Harold Whyman - Experimental Manager} | ||