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).
Design and modifications of the 'U' series petrol tank for cost-saving and improved aesthetics.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\V\March1931-September1931\ Scan387 | |
| Date | 29th August 1931 | |
| [Handwritten top left] A.{Mr Adams} FROM DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} C to - SG.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} [C and SG{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} are crossed out] [Handwritten and stamped top center] AJL [Handwritten] ORIGINAL [Stamped] Please follow up [Handwritten] [Typed heading] PETROL TANK - 'U' SERIES. [Handwritten next to heading] HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} [Handwritten top right] X5460. X5120. X5600 [Typed reference and date, top right] DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}1/M29.8.31. [Typed body] At the request of Sales we have made a design of petrol tank extending to the rear cross member of the chassis - see N. sch. 3324. herewith. As the majority of our cars have no spare wheels at the rear, this tank will give a clean appearance and avoid the fitting of a rear apron, which is costly. Such cars as have a wheel at the rear are only those with rear luggage boots or trunks, in which case the wheel is carried on a dummy hub, bolted to the body, and the wheel is behind the chassis cross tube. Hence all of our existing wheel carriers at the rear, save this bolted on dummy hub, can be abandoned, with a considerable saving in cost. The design of tank is a development of your Sch. 1488. We suggest that as the material of the tank is now .048", rivets could be deleted in the tank ends and baffles, and that we trust to the strength of the folded metal and sweating. This would effect a saving in cost and provide a cleaner exterior for painting and buffing. We have shewn a modified petrol gauge fitting which will follow immediately. This can be used on P. 2. also. The filter fitting has been modified to give a cleaner exterior. We recollect calling your attention to this when you sent us a design for this fixing. The tank fittings - gauge and filters - have been moved back as far as the grid will allow, there being no wheel carrier to worry about. This makes possible bodies with less ugly turn-under to the rear panel. As the special touring saloon is to be a model of 'U' series this tank should be fitted to the chassis which you are preparing. We think another tank should also be made to this design and fitted to a standard maximum bodied car so that it may be viewed, as on the special touring saloon the tank is hidden entirely by the luggage boot. [Typed signature, bottom right] DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} [Stamped, bottom left] [Circular stamp: RECEIVED with a date dial indicating late August 1931] | ||