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).
Issues with body mounting, including coachbuilder work, clearances, and fittings.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 5\2\ 02-page335 | |
| Date | 21th May 1930 | |
| COPY. X5830- (Rec'd at Works 20.5.30) Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. R.{Sir Henry Royce} (held up). c. SS.{S. Smith} c. Dr. c. C. c. L.B. c. Sy. c. JLS. re. BODY MOUNTING ETC. EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}7/M21.5.30. X.7005. X.5005. X.7830. X.5830. X.7380. X.7230. X.5230. With our experience of testing complete finished cars we are able to confirm ML/M5.5.30 re the above. We have not been satisfied that the Coachbuilders have been making the best of the subframe job, and trouble has been experienced to obtain complete isolation of the body from the chassis. We are, however, arranging for a more complete inspection of this job to be made and are hoping soon we shall have some improved results in general roughness, boom periods etc. We consider there are a few points which require your attention, as follows:- (1) More definite clearance between the front floor-boards and gear box mechanism. By the time the floorboards are cut away to clear they are too weak. Should like to demonstrate this to Sy. (2) Variable thickness of washers should be supplied for the scuttle and the dashboard, as the distance between the scuttle and the dashboard varies considerably. We find it necessary for the rubber at this joint to be correctly compressed. Closer limits are required, dash to subframe location, and definite limits on Coachbuilders' drawings. (3) It appears to be a general practice for an apron to be fixed at the front of the chassis and also a covering at the back of the frame covering the petrol tank when no spare wheel is carried. The Coachbuilders contend that the latter is in order to hide the ugly tank fittings. They suggest that if these tank fittings were "smoothed out" there would possibly be no need for the covering. Large sheets of metal such as these of valences etc. are not conductive to smoothness and freedom from booming, whether due to vibrations or silencer noises etc. Could we not make such fittings part of the standard chassis. Again, exhaust noises and fumes in body are made worse and we have improved some cars in this respect by | ||