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).
Secret memorandum detailing the construction and disguise of a test vehicle body to avoid identification during trials.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 72\4\ scan0045 | |
| Date | 10th October 1923 | |
| 49720 To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from BJ. BJ18/H10.10.23. S E C R E T. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} A.{Mr Adams} C. With regard to testing E.A.C.1, a body should be built of wood, in the 'holy of holies' if possible, unless the body can be of exactly the same dimensions as would fit on to our present standard chassis, in which case it could be made elsewhere. The body should be made to look like an armoured car, but need not necessarily have a turret. The fact that people may see that it is made of wood need not matter, as it can be said that it is merely a sample body that we are trying for clearances. The armour will of course cover the whole chassis and everything which is different from our present standard chassis, and if it can be designed so as to look as unlike a Rolls-Royce as possible, so much the better. If necessary a special radiator could be made. The armoured bonnet need not be Rolls-Royce shape, nor like the Rolls-Royce armoured cars in shape - in fact, the whole vehicle should look as unlike a Rolls-Royce as possible, and of course should not have anything in the way of a spare wheel or other part which would indicate a Rolls-Royce or which is only used on a Rolls-Royce. The car could then be driven about the country and no one would have the least idea whether it was a Rolls-Royce, a Lanchester, or any other car. The car would not stop at any garage or other place where it could be examined in any way, but would always be kept moving when on the road. Do you think that this would be possible, please? B.J. | ||