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 philosophy for the Junior Rationalised Programme, focusing on lightweight design and manoeuvrability.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 148\2\ scan0236 | |
| Date | 24th August 1939 | |
| 1260 Policy To By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. Da{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} c. Da{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/Hdy.{William Hardy} c. Da{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/DB.{Donald Bastow - Suspensions} c. Da{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/Jnr.{Charles L. Jenner} Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}5/MH.{M. Huckerby}24.8.39. JUNIOR RATIONALISED PROGRAMME. With reference to Da{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}9/N.16.8.39, we are absolutely in agreement with the opinion expressed in this memo that we must design this small car specifically for the 1.7 litre engine and not for a large power unit. We also feel that if we are to get the power-weight ratio down we shall have to be prepared to design parts so that they are working to a limit, and then strengthen them up when failure occurs. We believe it should no longer be considered to be a disgrace if a part breaks after 10,000 miles running on the road. On the contrary, it shows that the piece in question will do the job with a very slight increase in strength, and therefore, in its final state this piece can be made no heavier than is necessary. With regard to the body size, we shall have plenty of opportunity of trying this out on the "Ripplet" and drawing our own conclusions. We believe that the first criterion of this small car must be its manoeuvrability, and when given this attribute the average customer will always be prepared to sacrifice performance for comfort. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||