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).
Revised Type 4 luggage grid and number plate placement.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 13\6\ 06-page40 | |
| Date | 5th January 1931 | |
| SG.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} FROM DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} X7400 DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}3/M5.1.31. Copy to - EY. COPY to - HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} P. 2. REVISED TYPE 4 LUGGAGE GRID. With reference to SGLO/E311230., para. 4, we regret that the number plate cannot be lowered and placed underneath the rear chassis cross tube as in this position it is very much below any other part of the car in its vicinity, and is so below its limited ground clearance. Unfortunately no matter what type of tail lamp be used the lamp and bulb must be at least 1" to 1.5" to the rear of the plate in order that the light may be cast across the complete length of the number plate. It therefore follows that the tail lamp must be behind the number plate and the number plate behind the rear chassis cross tube, and in a way there seems to be no other solution unless we are prepared to have a number plate carried in the American fashion behind the rear wing, but we believe that you do not altogether favour this arrangement. With respect to EY's remark as to the number of new pieces required in this design we think that it will be understood that this was comprehended by yourselves at the outset. The rather ugly appearance of the present type 4. grid is due to the fact that it is more or less the same excepting a few details as the grid which is used when one spare wheel is carried at the rear. We see no way to use the same pieces in both cases, and make an ideal grid for both circumstances. DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} | ||