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).
Necessity of special tests on a chassis with smaller wheels before production.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 106\4\ scan0106 | |
| Date | 1st February 1929 | |
| +5810 HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} To Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Copy to Cr.{Mr Cra???ster / Mr Chichester} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} re 20 HP. Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}1/E9.2.29 You will recollect that at the time of the Board Meeting on the 14th January, when the decision was taken to put "SS{S. Smith}" into production, the arrangement in regard to the 20 was that we would carry on with the present type chassis plus central lubrication, smaller wheels and the modified petrol tank, and wheel carrier which I understand has to be modified to suit the smaller wheels. The general concensus of opinion at that date was that a 10,000 miles test of the present type chassis with the above alterations was not necessary because the items in question were being tested for 10,000 mls on the G-4 chassis in France. I understand, however, that the xx petrol tank and wheel carriers will have to be slightly different to suit the present chassis as compared with those on G-4 because of a difference in chassis frames, and I should be glad to know whether all the technical officials agree that a 10,000 miles test is not necessary. It does, however, appear to be essential and important that special tests are conducted as quickly as possible on a chassis of the present type embodying these features. For instance we do not know the possible effect of the smaller wheels on the steering of the present chassis. In order to save time and expense, it occurred to me that possibly you could arrange for an existing experimental car such as 10.G-3 to be rigged up as quickly as possible with these modifications and the tests in question conducted. It certainly seems essential that we should be satisfied in regard to the steering and other points before you get too far ahead with production. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} | ||