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).
Confidential memorandum discussing design concerns and arranging a mock-up for the 'Seagull' model bonnet.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 72\4\ scan0012 | |
| Date | 1st February 1923 | |
| X9780 Private & Confidential. To EY. from BJ. Copy to: Hr. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} "SEAGULL". Confirming our conversation on the telephone at 9-30 a.m. to-day concerning Hr1/H31.1.23, the position briefly is as follows:- We understand that the bonnet of the Seagull will be higher and shorter than the present 40/50 h.p. This alteration may make it look less like a Rolls-Royce, the design of which is so greatly admired, and more like many other cars, and also more like the 20 h.p., which would be undesirable. It is impossible for us to form an opinion without actually seeing the dimensions on a chassis. It would be unfortunate if a lot of work was done at Derby on this design and we then had to request Mr. Royce to alter the dimensions of the chassis, which might mean doing a lot of the work at Derby over again. To prevent this we want to see a mock-up as quickly as possible, and as C.J. and I will be at Derby next Wednesday or Thursday, it would be a good opportunity for us to inspect the cars. The best way for us to see the difference would be to have two cars alongside eachother - one a long 40/50, with its standard bonnet; the other the Seagull with a mock-up bonnet and radiator. These need only be made quite roughly, painted grey, with white radiator tank and black centre to the radiator - a sort of wooden box made like a bonnet, which a carpenter could make easily in one day. The scuttle could if necessary be made of canvas in perfectly straight lines, instead of curved, provided a similar type of scuttle were fitted to the 40/50 h.p. which we are to inspect. The body could be the ordinary, closed testing body which you are using for testing the 40/50 h.p. If you only have one such body at Derby now, please let me know at once, and I will see whether another can be sent to you at once. I believe there were four of these ordered from Windovers. If you have only one testing body, but you have two other bodies of similar design, even if they are touring bodies, these will do. | ||