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).
Technical review of body and chassis components, with comparisons to Bentley and 25 HP models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 126\1\ scan0180 | |
| Date | 3rd January 1935 | |
| -3- HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/FD.{Frank Dodd - Bodies}6/KW.3.1.35. The front wings form the bonnet seating. This is a very good point as they finish with a clean double edge with no places to fracture. .042" steel is used for the wings, the same as used in the body. The bonnet clips are taken from the radiator and the front of the body. CHASSIS. Many of the chassis features are of lighter construction than corresponding parts on the Bentley and 25 HP. (1) Shock dampers are small single acting Lovejoy type. (2) Prop. shaft has very small mechanics joints. (3) Braking system is hydraulic, saving weight of servo and equalisers etc. (4) Gearbox is a very small 3-speed type, no effective synchromesh. (5) Small exhaust system, more fishtail noise than we should tolerate. (6) Very small radiator area, Adequate cooling seems questionable. (7) Light steering wheel, column, and small box. (8) Smaller capacity petrol tank - 14 gallons. The front axle and supercharged engine are heavy in comparison with R.R. Cast-iron is used for the cylinder block. Pressed steel cross members are used. The centre member is in the form of a cross, the longitudinal distance between the feet being 63.5". Between this space there is no chassis member and the body is bolted to the large cross member in four places, the bolts passing through the sheet metal floor and two wooden body rails. Body and chassis therefore help to support each other. | ||