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).
Potential improvements for the 20 HP car, focusing on steering, chassis, tyre sizing, and bodywork aesthetics.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 58\1\ Scan041 | |
| Date | 1st September 1927 | |
| Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from R.{Sir Henry Royce} c. to BJ. BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to SG.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} X5820 R9/M5.9.27. INDIA 3. X.5770 X.5820 X.5430 X.5500 X.5830 I am so convinced that the 20 HP. will be much improved by deleting the 'B' steering, which, with the other modifications will result in a lower chassis and lower seats, so that the roof ought to appear extremely low when viewed from the ground beside the car. A suitable body for such a car should be put in hand. Regarding the size of tyres, the 6" tyres on the 19" rim should be pro rata with the 40/HP., being about 10% decrease in linear dimensions, 21% in area, and 33% in cubic capacity, so that the weight should be about 75% of the Phantom, and at about 10% less speed it is not more than this, and should give about equal life in running hours, and probably miles. But the tyre makers should have a chart of the probable life and load carrying capacity of the tyres in proportion to size, and how affected by speed. In conjunction with this 20 HP. DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} informs me that the car which arrived here last Thursday is fitted with a wider dash, and this facilitates the design of the scuttle, and I must say that I think Hoopers have made the appearance of this bonnet, scuttle, and car combination very pleasing, and I feel sure this wider dash should be adopted, and that with the universal use of the longer scuttle, etc. the complete 20 HP. car ought to have a distinctly improved appearance. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||