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).
Internal report on the examination of a Cadillac body, comparing its weight and construction to their own.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 125\1\ scan0180 | |
| Date | 13th February 1935 | |
| S...from C. C. to Wcr. -> Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} F Dodd X1729 a C1/C13.2.35 Re CADILLAC BODY. I attach hereto report on the above compiled by Hn.{F. C. Honeyman - Retail orders}, JLE.{J. Lee Evans - Chassis Test Manager} and LA.{L. A. Archer} We have not yet had all the reports in from the Coachbuilders after their examination of the body in its dismantled condition, and it is hoped that they may learn something from this. Generally speaking, however, the opinion appears to be that they can only learn detail, as the general construction is such that we could not possibly agree to such heavy coachwork being imposed on our chassis. You will note that the body itself weighs 19 cwt. against about 14 cwt. for a 40/50 h.p.Rolls-Royce full sized body; and there are about 1 1/2 cwt. of accessories, against 2 qrs 15 lbs. The Coachbuilders have all emphasised the extreme rigidity of the Cadillac chassis as compared with our chassis. So that altogether, from the point of view of educating the Coachbuilders the results have been disappointing, inasmuch as it is so difficult to make a fair comparison. C. | ||