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).
1-inch higher radiator and bonnet on the 4-EX chassis.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 66\3\ scan0035 | |
| Date | 27th March 1920 | |
| Copies sent to R 30.3.20 DG CR{Mr Cra???ster / Mr Chichester} Sp{Mr Spinney}2/HW/27320. BN{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington}/WW [STAMP: S N RECEIVED 30 MAR 1920] Mr. Hives. X3726 To: Bn.{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington}, Derby. From: Sp.{Mr Spinney} 27th March 1920. re 1" HIGHER DASHBOARD RADIATOR & BONNET. Lord Herbert Scott and Mr. Cowen have examined the new radiator and bonnet on 4-EX, as requested in your minute Hsl/LG17.3.20. Unfortunately, the body fitted to this Car, namely, the Pullman Limousine ex Armour, is rather a large body and not a good example of modern lines. The result on this particular chassis is that the body to some extent dwarfs the bonnet. [STAMP: BN.{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} RECEIVED 30 MAR 1920] One cannot, in fact, see any appreciable difference due to the extra one inch in height. Lord Herbert Scott wishes me to say, however, that after fully discussing the matter with the Coachbuilders, the extra one inch which you have been able to obtain on this Car will be greatly appreciated by them. It will help to prevent the making of touring bodies which are too low at the sides and which give inadequate protection to the passengers. It is considered, however, that the one inch provided is insufficient to meet all requirements. You may note that the bonnet on 4-EX is still lower than the old Continental bonnet, which, by the way, never looked excessively large. We consider that the ideal bonnet from the Coachbuilders' point of view would be two inches higher than the present standard,- not one inch, as on 4-EX. The further improvement asked for by the Coachbuilders would be to increase the width of the dash to be at least the same as the old Continental dash-board. Although the above two inches minimum extra in height is the ideal which we all hope will be reached, we are in the meantime grateful for the one inch, and consider it should be standardised until such time as you will be able to give us still another inch. Briefly, the advantages of the higher radiator are:- (1) Extra clearance for driver's legs under the scuttle. (2) The fact that the sides of the body can be made higher without clashing with the lines of the bonnet. This is most important, as we receive so many complaints due to the touring bodies being too low at the sides. | ||