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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 performance gains from streamlined car bodies, referencing Bugattis and a recent race.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 146\3\  scan0023
Date  3rd July 1936
  
W/P - Sr.

x1265

Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}16/KW.3.7.36.

Dear Sr.,

cm x 262

Thank you for your Sr.1/Crn.1/.36., which gives me exactly the information I required. If in addition you can find the actual increase in top speed which the Bugattis have gained with their streamlined body, it would be of the greatest value.

It is rather extraordinary that they should come out with this streamlined car just 6 months after I had decided that it was time we did something of the sort, and actually made a model on almost identical lines.

It was a great pity that E.R. did not watch the race, as it might have made him realise that sometimes the people whose job is making motor cars may be expected to know more about making a car go quickly than he does. I shall be glad if you yourself would write to E.R. and send him the Photographs, and tell him all about the race, because I would rather he had the information from a source other than myself. I have said all I am prepared to say to him on the subject of bodies some time ago.

Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}
  
  


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