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 body condition of Propaganda Car 12-XJ after a 10,000-mile tour, noting rattles due to its unsuitable body type.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 18\3\ Scan124 | |
| Date | 3rd July 1930 | |
| De/Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/AJL. c. Whr.{Mr Wheeler} PM. c. C. EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} c. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/AJL3/AD.3.7.30. PROPAGANDA CAR 12-XJ. With reference to Ev{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}/25.6.30, we have tried and examined 12-XJ. with particular reference to the condition of the body at the conclusion of the 10,000 miles tour. The body, as a type, was essentially the wrong one for such a trip. The de ville fronted body, owing to the absence of rigidity between the front pillar and the back of the rear seats, is the worst possible type to stand up to hard work on really bad roads. It is a pity that this body was chosen for the job. When driving the car it is immediately evident that all the rattles emanate from the front compartment, there is very little fault to find with the body work at the rear. The body is not in a worse condition than we should expect when its construction is considered. A similar type of body would be in little better condition after one of our own 10,000 mile tests provided that no attempt had been made to cope with the rattles as they made their appearance. A typical sample of this is to be seen on 14-G4. at present in London. We would say it is very unfair to blame the subframe or to expect it to prevent rattles of this description developing; if the same body had been | ||