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).
In-house design of components like the electrical system and the weight of the 40/50 HP chassis.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\E\September1920\ Scan47 | |
| Date | 1st September 1920 | |
| To CJ. from R.{Sir Henry Royce} -6- R6/G7/9/20 Contd. 15 (5) R.R. designed and constructed electrical installation entirely, except dynamo, cutout, batteries and lamps. (6) Slightly increased length of torque tube. EXTRA DESIGNING BY R.R. ENGINEERS. You will remember that we have designed many parts which are not usually done by the chassis designer, such parts being bought from specialists. We are not anxious to do this work, and we have tried to buy, but as these parts are made for the bulk production cars they have naturally proved insufficiently perfect for an extra high class exclusive article. I refer to - (1) Carburettor. (2) Battery ignition. (3) Electric starter. (4) Switchboard. } Wiring system. (5) Distribution Board. } WEIGHT OF CHASSIS. X.200 X.435 Many remarks have been made that the present 40/50 HP R.R. chassis is heavy*. I am informed by our assistants that this is not the case, and there are no chassis of 50 H.P. which will carry our load and which has stood the test of running at high speed of heavy bodies we have to carry, unless such chassis are actually heavier than ours. It is of course imperative that the comparisons are made on equal lines, and that the extra equipment be included. Actually we have since the War so reduced the weight of the chassis without reducing its strength and wearing qualities that it is actually lighter than the pre-War chassis, although (Contd.) | ||