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).
Technical report from coachbuilder Hooper & Co. comparing a 16-cylinder Cadillac car body to British construction methods.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 125\1\ scan0107 | |
| Date | 13th August 1934 | |
| COPY HOOPER & CO.LTD., 54, St.James's Street, London, S.W.1. August 13th 1934. A.F.Sidgreaves, Esq., Messrs. Rolls-Royce Ltd., 14/15 Conduit Street, W.1. Dear Mr.Sidgreaves, You very kindly sent along the 16 cylinder Cadillac car for me to see the other day, but owing to a misunderstanding I did not see it, as it went to Park Royal instead of coming to St.James's Street. This, I think, was my own fault, but it was, however, examined by Carpenter and other members of the Drawing Office, very minutely, and I give you the following report which is the result of their investigation. I only hope that it may be of interest and use to you. The body appears to be metal panelled, but the structural part of it, i.e. doors, standing pillars and cantrails, seems to be of wood. We were not able to see the exact form of construction, but it would appear that the general principle was the same as utilised by high-class British coachbuilders, the only difference being that we use aluminium panelling, whereas the American uses steel. Whether or not they rely a bit more on the panelling for strength thereby cutting down the strength of the wooden frame, it is difficult to ascertain, but one thing is certain, i.e. that the Cadillac body is very much heavier than a similar British-built body would be, largely owing to the steel panels instead of aluminium ones. The faces of the pillars are panelled, and the door panels are secured to them by locking round an angle plate. This has the effect of making a very sturdy structure, but we discovered that the door buffers and striking plates are held in position by ordinary wooden screws. This proves the statement that the interior framework is all wood and not metal, and of course, the troubles experienced by an ordinary wood and iron body would be still the same in the Cadillac as in a British-built body. The whole structure appears to be extraordinarily sturdy, and the saving of weight appears to be entirely disregarded. Exposed hinges of enormous dimensions are used for all doors, this in spite of the fact that the back of the body is semi-aerodynamic, and the effectiveness of this again appears to be entirely nullified by the addition of bumpers, stop lamp, number plates, etc. etc. which are stuck on all over the place. The whole car appears to be a contradiction of terms, by which I mean that an aero-dynamic back is entirely spoilt by | ||