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).
Weight of Experimental Car 5-B-IV, comparing it to standard models and a maximum weight limit.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 82\3\ scan0076 | |
| Date | 12th December 1934 | |
| X4553R (3) To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Experimental Car 5-B-IV. Copy to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}E.Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}15/E5.12.34 Referring to Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}1/KW.1.12.34 a discussion on weights is always interesting and produces some useful information. The reason I said that 5-B-IV appeared to be 2 cwt. higher than our maximum was because its weight was given to me as being within 14 lbs of 34 cwt. and I was told that 32 cwt. was our maximum. I have had the matter investigated further and I find that it is quite correct that with the latest batch of bodies the average weight of the complete saloon car is 32 cwt. 2 qrs. 5 lbs. This weight has crept up owing to the recent changes in the body which has had to be strengthened in view of the flexibility of the chassis. The difference, therefore, between our standard car average weight and 5-B-IV is 1 cwt. 1 qr. 9 lbs. which I am sure you will agree is quite a lot, i.e. 149 lbs. In paragraph 5 of your memo. you refer to a car, B.38.CR{Mr Cra???ster / Mr Chichester} as weighing 32 cwt. 3 qrs. 6 lbs. which I am told happens to be heavier than all the other cars of which we have taken particulars, numbering 16. I do not wish to labour the point about 5-B-IV but I thought we ought to point out, in view of the stress which, quite rightly, has always been laid on weight, that this experimental car was very much over our maximum weight. It would, I think, be quite useful to remove the Buick or Terraplane body, complete with platform, steps, wings etc/. and weigh them. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} | ||