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).
Increase in weight of a 20/25 HP car, citing engine changes and modern body design requirements as causes.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 107\4\ scan0145 | |
| Date | 27th April 1936 | |
| X558 To Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Copy to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}E. Hn.{F. C. Honeyman - Retail orders}EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} 20/25 HP. Complete Car Weights. Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}12/E27.4.36 Referring to Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}5/KW.8.4.36, in the light of the information given in your memo. I have had GLG-5 weighed again under the same conditions as when it was originally weighed by JLE{J. Lee Evans - Chassis Test Manager} when first put into commission. It appears that, excluding additions such as a heater made since that date, its weight has increased by approximately 1 cwt. The important change is of course the engine, which I suppose would account for most of this. The comparison with Mr Guy Knowles' car, GLG-2, is not really a good one because the body on his car has no division at the back of the driver. There is little doubt, however, that the body on my car is heavy, partly accounted for by chromium mouldings, attractive luggage accommodation and ventilating devices to all windows, but apart from that it would appear that the modern body designs with swept back panel are heavy, and one of the reasons for the general increase in weight is that bodies have had to be strengthened to overcome body complaints. The struggle against increasing body weights is a difficult one because modern requirements always seem to add weight, such as bumpers front and back, wireless sets etc. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} | ||