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).
Letter from Vauxhall Motors regarding rear wheel overhang, shaft design, and materials, with references to Cadillac models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 170\3\ img134 | |
| Date | 20th December 1937 | |
| Vauxhall Motors Ltd CONTRACTORS TO THE ADMIRALTY, WAR OFFICE & AIR MINISTRY. TELEPHONE NUMBER 2600 LUTON. LUTON, BEDS. TELEGRAMS CADNAUX, TELEX, LUTON WHEN REPLYING PLEASE QUOTE OUR REF. MO/KF YOUR REF. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls}4/MH.{M. Huckerby} 20th December 1937. Mr. Grylls, Rolls-Royce Limited, DERBY. Dear Grylls, Regarding rear wheel overhang, notice the November SAE Journal where Austin Wolf says 1938 Cadillacs have 5/8" to 3/4" less overhang than 1937. Cadillacs 60 and La{L. A. Archer} Salle got by in 1937 by eliminating all threads and sharp corners or sudden section-changes at the bearing, and by playing with the taper of the shaft to avoid the weak bending spot which used to occur at about 8" inwards from the bearing. As I recall the max bending stress in normal running was only about 17000, but the material was I think only a carbon steel. Grinding and polishing the O.D. of the shafts put up the life several times, but was only done on commercials or light busses, ambulances etc. In all normal passenger cars the shafts were left as forged. Am still hoping I have an invitation to visit R.R. if, as, and when, but shall not be able to do it till I get this I.A.E. paper cleaned up for February. Yours, Maurice Olley Maurice Olley. | ||