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).
Letter discussing the change to using pure nickel sheets for radiators to improve performance in tropical climates.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 149a\3\ scan0066 | |
| Date | 24th May 1927 | |
| X3678 Oy20-E-52427 RECEIVED JUN 8 1927 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} May 24th, 1927. Mr. R.{Sir Henry Royce} W. H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} Bailey, Rolls-Royce Ltd., Derby, England. (Copy for attention of Mr.Hives/ " " " " Mr. Haldenby) Re Radiator - Sec.5250 Dear Mr. Bailey: A recent change has been to use pure nickel sheets for the radiator top, front, and side plates. This increases the cost about $5.50 per car, but we believe it is essential for satisfactory performance of the cars, particularly in the more "tropical" parts of the country. For instance, one of our salesmen in Florida stated that he never made a trip over 100 miles long during a whole season without running into a thunderstorm and coming out with a mottled "blue and gold" radiator. As far as we have ascertained there is no more trouble in bending or soldering this sheet than with nickel silver, and the surface finish, though not perfect, is comparable with the nickel silver. The sheets are made by the International Nickel Company. We have previously tried nickel plating a complete radiator, but with only partial success, as we were not properly equipped for the job. In service the plated or solid nickel radiators stay bright under ordinary conditions many times as long as the nickel silver parts, never discolor badly, and are much easier to clean. | ||