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).
Bonnet and radiator design, fuel and oil effects on temperature, and the aesthetic issues with louvres and shutters.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 19\4\ Scan016 | |
| Date | 5th June 1930 | |
| [Handwritten top right]: x77)3. To Mr [crossed out] from Oy. C. Hyde [crossed out] C. B.W.A. [crossed out] C. Barr [crossed out] C. Dore [crossed out] C. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} [crossed out] C. Sava [crossed out] ------------------ Oy3/DM.{D. Munro}5.6.30. ------------------ Bonnet and Radiator. ------------------ With further reference to Oy1/DM.{D. Munro}12.5.30 in which I sent you some observations on automatic shutter control and bonnet ventilator, I have a note of May 26 from Mr. Ainsworth making comments on the copy of my note. These notes are:- (1) "Has not the difference in the English and American fuels got something to do with the operating temperatures of the engine - also the oil?" From experience with 404 MR would guess that there is not much difference now between English and American motor car fuels. No difference in carburetter-setting, detonation, or water temperature, was noted in bringing this car over from the other side. Changing to English oil made a marked difference in smoothness, but would scarcely affect the operating temperature. [Handwritten left margin]: Agreed ✓ (2) "We certainly do not like to put louvres, or even shutters on a bonnet if we can get away from it. It makes a bad painting scheme, makes the sides of the bonnet heavy, and seems to introduce excrescences where they should not exist". Mr. Ainsworth has adopted the coachbuilders' viewpoint. A flat panel like the bonnet side is always a difficulty in coachwork because of the wavy high-lights after painting. Flat panels are strictly avoided in all bodies for this reason. Any slightest operation done on a bonnet, even fitting a moulding to the side hinge, introduces cost and difficulty through producing a wavy surface. [Handwritten left margin]: Do not notice this on PII Cars The same applies it is thought, to the sliding shutter now fitted on P.II. We have not used a shutter for a number of years and have had no complaints of boiling to speak of. cont'd.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} | ||