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).
Suitability and condition of two experimental left-hand drive cars, 24-EX and 25-EX, for Paris Trials.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 123\4\ scan0036 | |
| Date | 29th May 1931 | |
| To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} From Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} LEFT HAND EXPL. CARS. You have raised at different times the question of taking one of the Expl. left-hand cars as a Trials Car for Paris. 25-EX. car (which is the car I took to America), we are preparing for tests in France as it is the most suitable car we have. It is the only car which has the latest bonnet and radiator. Owing to the alteration in the specification of this car it may be some weeks before it goes to France, and it will certainly be some time before it is free. The other point about this car is that the body would be entirely unsuitable for a Trials car. It has a specially low roof which is only made possible by using pneumatic cushions at the rear. It has been agreed that this cushion is not comfortable - it would certainly be the last thing you would wish to have on a Trials Car - but if the standard cushion is fitted then the roof is too low. Therefore we believe it would be necessary to have a new body even if this car were available. 24-EX. car, the other left-hand car, is a hybrid. It has the old type dashboard (That is the type before N.2 Series). The body on that car is a close coupled saloon and is suitable for this old type dashboard. This car is running with the N.2 radiator but the bonnet is a scrap design to join the two together. This car has been used for Dia. engine mounting tests and the frame has been drilled in many places to try different mountings. During this week-end I skidded with 24-EX. and crashed into a telegraph post. The damage caused will mean a new frame and other parts. This car has now been handed over to the Repair Shop to estimate the damage. Our suggestion is that this car should be modernised and rebuilt then handed over to you for your Paris Trials. The body which is at present on 24-EX. as we point out we do not think it is any use for a Trials car, and would mean you ordering a new body. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||