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).
Lighter coachwork, chassis length, and body space for the 20 HP and 40/50 HP models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 71\1\ scan0377 | |
| Date | 6th December 1927 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from BJ. have had very considerable success, more particularly in regard to the 20 HP. The principles which have been used in connection with the 20 HP are being incorporated to some extent in the 40/50 HP with a view to getting lighter coachwork, but we must bear in mind that our main 40/50 HP business consists of the most commodious 6-seater enclosed drive covered bodies of the most luxurious types, and any increase of our existing restrictions would very considerably adversely affect our sales. ‘As regards the 20 HP., we do not see how we can very well do without the upright steering, for the reason mentioned above in connection with the 40/50 HP., i.e. that a large percentage of the 20 HP chassis are sold for 4-6 seater covered cars. ‘The CSC., however, understand that a longer chassis is under consideration, which will no doubt help if, as we understand, the same body space can be given with the present upright steering, but the greatest restriction to 20 HP sales is lack of body space, and we anticipate that with the longer chassis there will be a strong demand for the upright column to get the 3" body space advantage. ‘Fortunately the progress made in the saving of weight of bodywork, not only with those built on the Weymann principle but on coach-built bodies also, should more than compensate for the extra 3" of bodywork, if our anticipations should materialise.’ BJ. | ||