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).
Body shake issues with the 10.B.V. Drophead Coupé, including proposed modifications.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 117\2\ scan0053 | |
| Date | 21th July 1939 | |
| To By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/AFM.{Anthony F. Martindale} c. Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. Da{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} c. Da{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/DB.{Donald Bastow - Suspensions} BODY SHAKE - 10.B.V. DROPHEAD COUPE. Nature of Complaint. The coupé 10.B.V. from its arrival at the Works has suffered from severe scuttle sideways shake. In its original form it was not fit to sell. In 1,200 miles it has shaken the rubber door catch supports to bits. The scuttle is the point where the shake is most noticeable but the rear of the body and the radiator shake in sympathy, presumably because the reactions from the scuttle side shake are transmitted by the frame to these other points. The frame itself appears to shake very little, the body at the places where it is close to the frame is also still and the amount of shake increases as height above the frame increases. Possible Modifications before first deliveries. A stabilizing bumper reduces the general shake to to about half and this is all we can do to reduce scuttle shake immediately. The radiator and wing shake is still severe, but this can be stopped by two diagonal stays from top of dash to top of radiator. This addition has recently been made to 30.G.VII in France. We think all coupés should have these stays. As regards construction, the stays can be 3/4" tube flattened when hot at the ends and bolted direct to the top flange of the dash and two points on the radiator shell, one on each side of the bonnet hinge and about 2" apart. This is quite light, strong and inexpensive. Probable Cause of Shake. The coupé thus modified is still far from modern Bentley standards as Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} will readily explain. Further alterations are necessary very soon, it is therefore necessary to decide why the shake occurs in order to know what to do to stop it. | ||