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 discussing vehicle handling, economy, and the benefits of weight reduction, with comparisons to competitors.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 124\3\ scan0407 | |
| Date | 20th August 1936 | |
| -2- (3) Handling Characteristics. A lighter car is almost invariably nicer to handle than a replica which weighs more, particularly with regard to the steering. Again, the Bentley and 20/25 demonstrate the point. (4) Economy in Operation & Smoothness. A heavy car necessitates a low axle ratio to give the required performance. A low axle ratio means a high petrol consumption, high rate of engine wear and more engine fuss and noise. We therefore want to use the Continental Phantom III which is being made to demonstrate that a much more desirable car for less money can be produced if some weight is eliminated. This will mean somewhat more comprehensive modifications than were originally anticipated. We think it only fair that if an effort is made on the chassis we should have the advantage of an effort by the Coachbuilders, which will mean a new body. Though the figures may be misleading, they show an increase of about 12% in body weights over the Ph.II as against a definite reduction in weight on the chassis side. In view of the infinitely stiffer frame, it must be difficult to justify this. It might be thought that it is satisfactory to get a 1% lighter chassis and at the same time give the customer independent suspension and a stiffer frame, etc. On the contrary, we think we have done very badly, and certainly the Experimental Dept. must take their share of the blame as we have often added weight as the shortest cut to getting the car into production. We say we have done badly because the Americans, without shortening their wheelbase, or reducing their engine displacement, or increasing the light alloy used to any appreciable extent - three factors of which we have taken advantage on the Phantom III - have given their customers knee action, and reduced their complete car weight by 15% or more. We give actual Buick figures to illustrate the point. | ||