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).
Proposing a weight analysis scheme and comparing car weights against American competitors.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 178\2\ img134 | |
| Date | 4th April 1934 | |
| -11- This car is full sized and has a straight eight engine almost exactly the same size as our 20/25. Also bumpers are fitted. These weights are not achieved by accident; most manufacturers have a small section whose sole duty it is to analyse the weight of their own products, experimentally and in production, and the weights of such competitors as from time to time become available. Since weight is money and efficiency, and we disburse more for our materials than most people, we believe that it would pay us to inaugurate a similar scheme which could deal with aircraft as well as automobile parts. Some weights of the smaller American cars, which compare roughly in accommodation with the Bentley are :- Ford Sedan 2500 Plymouth 2500 Chevrolet 3100 Hudson 6 2800 All these are equipped with bumpers which with attachments probably add half a hundredweight to the chassis. Again little or no aluminium is used. In the 20/25 class, weights have not been reduced proportionately. The new La{L. A. Archer} Salle has a 4000 lbs. kerb weight, the Packard over 5,000 lbs. Generally speaking, however, these cars in America have an engine at least 25% larger than the 25 HP. They are also aware that they are losing prestige by being out-performed by the small fry, and are not satisfied. | ||