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 discussing modifications for a streamlined body chassis, including performance parts and addressing instrument quality.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 161\1\ scan0084 | |
| Date | 21th February 1938 | |
| 1245.P 1380 W/P. Sr. from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}3/R.21.2.38. Dear Sr., We have had a talk with Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} about your chassis for the streamline body, and are going ahead with it right away. We are supplying the high compression head, light alloy front drums, short pendulum lever on the steering to cope with the larger section tyres - 6 1/2 x 17 - lower radiator, 117 m.p.h. axle ratio and speedometer to suit. We think that the latest cast iron rear drum which has increased ribs will be very nearly as satisfactory as light alloy drums. It is the front drums, normally which are likely to be over-loaded. It struck me that if you are going to demonstrate the car at Montlehery you might like to be able to run it on open exhaust, and we are, therefore, trying to find a cut-out for you, which you can nail up when the car starts to be used for ordinary motoring. I was interested in the noise insulation which you were carrying out on your bodies, and should be glad if you would arrange for Waller to have all particulars on what is being done. I have asked him to make a point of contacting with you on the subject. Your remarks re the poor quality of the present Rolls-Royce instruments has worried me considerably. We do know of two definite faults which have both been dealt with, one is the failure of trips on speedometers, which was a glaring fault, and for which there was no excuse; the other is the ammeter on the P.III. Curiously enough, the ammeter has not been changed in design for many years. If there are any faults other than these, or, if you have any information which would be of use to us in improving the quality of these instruments, we shall be glad to have it. We are looking forward to seeing you next month. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||