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 providing feedback on a coachbuilding pamphlet, with specific suggestions for vehicles intended for the Australian market.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 71\1\ scan0400 | |
| Date | 6th January 1928 | |
| Whr.{Mr Wheeler} London. V393 Pt.3/WH6-1-28. C. to B.H.S, London [Illegible Stamp] I have duly received the very handy little pamphlet 'Notes for Coachbuilders' which if they would only read would prevent many silly mistakes being made. I wish, however, that Australia could have been remembered a little more in the compilation of this information. For instance, it would do no harm to inform coach-builders that Landaulettes, All weathers and Cabriolets, or any coachwork embodying the many hinged and irons necessitated by opening and closing of coachwork, are entirely unsuitable for Australian conditions, also the 'L' shaped or American style of valance which holds the chassis frame is anathema here on account of its tendency to rattle and the fact that it prevents baggage being placed upon the steps when touring in the back parts of the country; also these valances are a pest whenever any attention has to be given to springs, which attention is much more frequent owing to spring breakages due to the shocking road conditions. Another point is that for Australian conditions many places in the coachwork and windscreens where wood screws are commonly used give trouble and these should, wherever possible, be replaced by bolts and nuts, preferably rustless. The bolts used to hold the body on to the frame, instead of being of iron with square nuts, should be of steel with hexagon nuts. The side ventilators in scuttle merely draw in all the hot air thrown out from the louvred sides of the bonnet which louvres are a necessity in hot countries like Australia. The best type of windscreen is one piece of glass fixed, carried from the scuttle upwards to a point above the line of vision but not to the top of the side supports. There is a frame across the main glass to enable a windscreen wiper to be attached, and the upper few inches of glass is divided in the centre into two and made to open at will. A screen of this type is made by Windovers and is very good indeed, particularly notable for its absence of rattles, clearness of vision and ample ventilation. It is unnecessary to have three and four piece screens for Australia because we have no fogs, and this type of screen is also objectionable because the hot wind is blown through the aperture upon the skin of the faces of the unfortunate passengers. Another point is that the front doors of saloons, which are hinged at their forward edge, should be provided with a means of holding them an inch or two ajar as this gives the best interior ventilation known and can be used even in heavy rain. | ||