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).
Typed report on the evolution of car design, discussing various models and the safety aspects of front-engine placement.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 24\1\ Scan054 | |
| Date | 12th December 1931 guessed | |
| 20. in a drastic fashion, and the first step was to remove the spare wheel stowage away from the bonnet so as to give a greater latitude in design. Two designs were put in hand in Figs..... and Fig..... one being the bonnet type and the other being termed the straight fronted type. Again, neither of these were very satisfactory, as they still had an animal appearance, especially when viewed head on. The straight fronted type seemed to offer the greatest scope for improvement and three more cars, Figs..... 1,2,3.......were built each differing in some degree. Extensive trials, especially at night, in wet weather showed that the larger angle of slope on the windscreen that seemed essential for appearance, was undesirable from the driving point of view, so a reversion was made to the No.2 car and the next car Fig..... appeared to combine for the first time pleasing appearance and practicability. It was just about this time that the decision to alter the cooling system was made, and this latest design was readily adaptable to the inclusion of the front radiator. The next model, Fig....(No.5 car) shows this development and except for the undue cramping of the headlamps this design seemed quite satisfactory. This latter detail was rectified in the next model figure........(Pullman) and at the same time the 8 inch headlamps were replaced by 10" lamps, and in this car the rear wheels were enclosed. I will now deal with an objection that is frequently made to the rear engined car by non-technical members of the Public, but one which I think you will agree is, in fact, an advantage. I refer to the protection of the passengers in the event of a head on crash. It is frequently stated that the engine, if in front of the car, is a great protection, and that by removing the engine to the rear this protective value is removed. | ||