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).
Report comparing vehicle components like transmission, fuel/exhaust systems, steering, and radiator, with a focus on weight and cost reduction.
Identifier | ExFiles\Box 10\5\ 05-page071 | |
Date | 3rd September 1937 | |
-4- TRANSMISSION A four speed box with an overdrive is well worth 70 lbs. extra weight which, as a matter of fact, can be immediately paid for by a reduction in the amount of fuel carried. We have a lot of pieces, but our transmission is admitted, by common consent, to be the best in the world. On Phoenix, every endeavour will be made to reduce the number of pieces but we expect to have to give a little in perfection to get a lot in cost and weight reduction. FUEL TANK AND EXHAUST SYSTEM We have made considerable progress in simplicity and lightness on the Wraith tank. Nevertheless, we are still 50% heavier than the Oldsmobile per gallon of fuel carried. As we can afford to use better material we do not think that we ought to be satisfied. We have heard aspersions cast on the durability of American tanks, but have never had trouble on those in our hands nor do we ever remember it being mentioned as a service complaint. We hope and ought to do better on Phoenix. We have been sufficiently concerned about the weight and cost of our exhaust systems to start a special investigation to find out why our engines are so difficult to silence. At a rough estimate there is at least £2000 per annum to be saved on exhaust systems. Wraith weighs six times Oldsmobile or 114 lbs. against 19.5. We may ultimately have to be satisfied with twice American weights to get durability. STEERING The Oldsmobile steering is particularly good considering its low ratio and we do not see why we should weigh 47 lbs. on the Wraith against their 34. However, on the whole it is nearer American practice in its simplicity than any other feature of the car. We believe appreciable savings can be made on Phoenix. RADIATOR For the engine displacement and weight of the car our radiator weights are quite good. The part list required to build a Wraith radiator, however, seems astonishing. We cannot help thinking that the way to simplify this is to work with radiator experts like Marstons in the early stages of the design as we have done on B.III. Franc. B.II.X. radiator is a step in the right direction. continued | ||