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).
Response to a test report on the B.4 model in France, addressing eight specific body criticisms.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 179b\1\ img348 | |
| Date | 3rd March 1933 | |
| TO WB.{Mr Brazier/Mr Bell} FROM EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} COPY TO HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} ORIGINAL RE BENSPORT. B.4. See me HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} x4395 >293. We thank you for your Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}5/S22.2.33. referring to the report on the test of the B.4. in France. We will deal with the body criticisms in order. (1) We are discussing the problem of preventing the draught from the sunshine roof when closed with Messrs Park Ward & Co. This feature has occurred before and is very largely due to our insisting on the well in the roof being covered in on our cars. (2) We understood that the standard scuttle rail lamp was to be fitted on all H-M Cars. It may not have been seen by Derby and so not wired up. (3) The space for suit cases has to come what size or shape it may. It is what is left when all the other more important considerations have had their share. We are not in the least surprised to hear that the space did not fit any particular persons suitcases. The same comment would apply to most of our cars. On the finished car this space would be fitted with special suit cases which would belong to the car. (4) The sliding seats are Leveroll and have a quick release catch consisting of a knob which has to be pressed down when the seat will slide back about 8ins. (5) The body was built for central levers. We shall cut away the cushion on future bodies to clear the gear knob. (6) We believe that "B" is dealing with this but we have some suggestions to make as soon as he tells us what he is doing with the servo and pedals. I do not think he believes he can do much to help this complaint. (7) The Limpet treatment is being tested on one or two of our cars. It is too early to say much about this but we are arranging to have a close coupled Fere.2. body treated immediately and we may have the next Bensport saloon so treated if we can get it done in London. (8) In the course of a few days we shall send you a design for a stone guard, which will have to be detachable to enable the shutters to be cleaned. We understand that grills are not needed for the headlamps as well. EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} | ||