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).
Manufacture of experimental left-hand drive 'SG' chassis for the American market and the optimal wheelbase length.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 19\3\ Scan018 | |
| Date | 24th January 1929 | |
| SECRET. HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} X7772 To R.{Sir Henry Royce} From Eg. Copy to Wcr. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}5/E24.1.29 EE Re Lefthanded "SG{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}" Chassis for America. As mentioned in a former memorandum, although the position to-day is that we are really waiting to hear from America exactly what they propose to do in regard to the "SG{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}", we have agreed to proceed with the manufacture of three left-handed chassis for experimental purposes. The question has arisen as to what length of wheel base these experimental chassis should be built to. I have been into the matter with WW and, whilst our standard wheel base is 150", the present American Phantoms are 144.750" and 142", and we know from what Mr.Fuller and others have told us that they are very keen on a shorter wheel base than our standard long wheel base. It would appear, therefore, unwise to make the experimental chassis 150" if it is practically certain that America would want something different, as the experimental work which we did would to a large extent be nullified if, after doing it, we found that they had to have a different length of wheel base. I attach a drawing prepared by WW - (W.Sch.2810) - which shows at the top the main body dimensions on the present American Phantom, 144.750", and below it shows an "SG{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}" with 144", and illustrates that, if the latter wheel base were adopted as the American standard, they would be better off from a body accommodation point of view owing to the new position of the steering column, having 3.5" more body length at the elbow line and a heelboard to the rear seat 3.5" further towards the back, and at the same time no greater overall length than the 144.750" American Phantom. An alternative wheel base for America to compare more closely with their 142" wheel base would be 141 which would give the identical accommodation for coachwork that they now obtain on the 144". The car would be 3" shorter overall, the turning circle correspondingly diminished, and as we know that this latter is a very strong point with the American Company owing to traffic conditions existing in America, I believe that this is the one that they would favour. | ||