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).
Progress report from the Chassis Division on the design and rationalization of the Senior Range cars.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 144\2\ scan0006 | |
| Date | 24th January 1941 | |
| Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} and Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} c. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/EAG. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}1/ML.24.1.41. CHASSIS DIVISION - PROGRESS REPORT. Though the majority of the Chassis Design and Detail Sections who have not been transferred to the Aero Division, are now engaged on Tank and Gun work, it has been found feasible to complete a certain amount of chassis design during the past twelve months. Senior Range experimental cars have also covered a considerable mileage, and it is now possible to get a fair picture as to what faults will require immediate attention after the war. Memos. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}8/ML.11.9.40., and Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}7/ML. 26.11.40., were the last two circulated dealing with chassis. The following is a brief summary of the present position. SENIOR RANGE RATIONALISED CARS. 1. DESIGN. (a) Chassis. It will be remembered that originally, all the Senior Range chassis, both 8-cylinder and 6-cylinder, were built with a front wheel to dashboard dimension of 34.5". All our cars running about are like this. Later it was decided that the 6-cylinder cars could be improved if advantage was taken of the shorter engine to reduce this distance to 27.00". Benefits derived from this alteration will be a lighter, more manoeuvrable car, with a smaller turning circle. The necessary design work has been completed and we have a mock-up which shows that the appearance, with a Rolls Royce radiator, is reasonable. At the same time as this alteration was made to the front end, it was agreed provisionally that the number of body bases should be reduced from three to two. The complete Senior Range is therefore now composed of two front end lengths, 27.00" and 34.5", and two rear lengths, 89.5" and 98.5". These can be combined with each other and with the Rolls Royce and Bentley radiators, as required, to form any of eight chassis. - Continued - | ||