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).
The Cadillac body, discussing its rigidity, weight, and suitability for production.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 125\1\ scan0187 | |
| Date | 27th March 1935 | |
| Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} F Dodd X1729 We should like an analyses of Cadillac on same lines as Terraplane & Pontiac Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Copy for. H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} LHS{Lord Herbert Scott}/MK.27.3.35. CADILLAC. Attached is the C.S.C's report on the Cadillac which supplements their preliminary notes of the 12th inst. and a copy of which is also attached, together with a schedule of weights. In submitting this report, the C.S.C. wish to put forward the following:- (a) They consider the fact the body has so far successfully stood up to be due to:- 1. The rigidity of the chassis. 2. The springing of the chassis and the comparative lack of shocks to the body by reason of less powerful braking. 3. The rigidity of the body due to the use of sheet steel pressings and particularly to the novel construction of the scuttle which incorporates the dashboard. 4. Excellent facilities on chassis for the support of the body. 5. Apparent absence of weight limit. (b) The body is considered unsuitable for our business because:- 1. It is far too heavy. 2. Neither we nor our public would tolerate the rust trouble on the panels and roof. 3. At the present time it would be impossible to economically produce replicas of the body, as there exist no facilities for the production of the pressed steel parts. There are a number of interesting details which can with advantage be copied by our coach-builders, and we shall see that such coach-builders adopt these ideas at the earliest possible moment. We shall be interested to have your comments after reading this report, particularly in regard to the facilities provided on the chassis for the mounting of the body etc. L.H.S.{Lord Herbert Scott - Chair} | ||