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).
Chassis weight, comparing features with competitors, and detailing weight-saving measures on the Wraith chassis.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 96\4\ scan0094 | |
| Date | 31th August 1936 guessed | |
| (2) Wells for rear seats which add to frame weight. Separate hand brake system. Hand brake lever instead of cable operation. Four speed gearbox. Mechanical servo for brakes. Radiator shutters. Side lever for change speed. Double ignition equipment. Fully fused and insulated electrical wiring. Variable damper control. Full floating rear axle. Built in hydraulic jacks. Large petrol tank. These features no doubt possess sales value, but have to be paid for in weight. Our specification is always likely to call for more weight than our competitors on performance and it rather therefore follows that we should have a relatively larger power unit. Actually the contrary is the case, and moreover we find the American fitting still larger engines of comparatively low specific power output to obtain performance and smoothness combined. We agree that there is much that can be done to reduce Phantom III chassis weight, but the projected figures given for the Continental Specification appear very optimistic if we retain the same features for the chassis. In the case of the Wraith chassis a great deal of effort has been put into weight saving as will be seen from the following list :- Wraith Chassis. Frame is light gauge material throughout with long boxed cross Aluminium in front suspension. Combined hand and foot brake. Light alloy brake drums. Light petrol tank, strap mounted. Roll bar and connecting links combined with rear dampers. Body brackets combined with running board supports and reduced in number Compare P.III features. | ||