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).
Importance of weight reduction in the 40/50 and 20HP car models for performance, running costs, and legal compliance.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\Q\January1927-March1927\ 67 | |
| Date | 4th February 1927 | |
| TO SS.{S. Smith} C. HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}} (At Le CanadelHenry Royce's French residence.) FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} DESPATCHED FROM WW. 4.2.27. C. to WOP. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} HV. CWD. DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} re. WEIGHT OF CARS - 40/50 & 20HP. Handwritten: X8840 X8830 Handwritten: X4538 X5830 It will be realised that to keep the 40/50 within the law for weight of high speed vehicles, our recommendations of light bodies, and saving weight in chassis and accessories, are of the utmost importance, because also it is the best way of getting a good performance. Especially does this apply to the front of the car, so that - (1) For performance. (2) " cost of running - tyres & fuel. (3) Tokeep within the law (40/50). (4) For steering & riding qualities (save weight on front wheels.) We are doing our best to give you some light and good accessories. We are endeavouring to push the weight back - rear wheel, battery in frame, etc. DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} should help and supervise all models and trials bodies, and report to BJ. and R.{Sir Henry Royce} departures from the best dimensions and details. We are endeavouring to save weight, especially forward end of chassis, engine, clutch and flywheel, radiator, etc. One point that occurs to me is the difference in weight, and more especially in ease of handling, between Barker and RR. dipping headlamps. Driver mechanic Dodd says he cannot handle Barkers easily enough to be effective. We have seen how important this question of weight is with the 20HP. It is quite as important with the 40/50 because of the relative importance to us of the two cars, and also the matter of the law. I don't want to be worrying myself and others with these memos, unless they produce some results. Can the facts be more widely distributed to our Sales people and agents, for guidance of customers and coachbuilders, without doing harm by calling attention to the small margin of weight of the 40/50. under the law, and creating an impression that we cannot carry the weight. Shall we ask somebody with literary talents to write the essay from my, and others, notes? DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} is a likely person. It must be someone scientific, and who knows the work from A.{Mr Adams} to Z. - give figures of relative acceleration, cost, etc. I am aware of the difficulties, but others are producing very light silent bodies of considerably less weight. Here one sees fabric covered bodies almost entirely. Some look extremely well, as I am not altogether permanently wedded to a highly polished shiny finish, and I dare say there are other people having the same feeling. Cost also cannot be ignored, because there is no doubt a feeling of trying to avoid unnecessary first cost and running expenses. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||