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).
Optimal placement of toolboxes in a car for weight distribution and accessibility.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\V\October1930-February1931\ Scan337 | |
| Date | 14th February 1931 | |
| HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} - C. ) FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} ) (At L[...] E.P. P.N.) C. to SG.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} WOR.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} PN.{Mr Northey} ORIGINAL TOOLBOXES. R2/M14.2.31. x7580. With reference to Mr. Hives' and Mr. Cowen's remarks re. the above, there are definitely two classes of tools - the ones that must be handy for tyre and road wheel work, and a few odd things for sparking plugs and small adjustments. These one thinks should, if possible, be under the driver's seat: the rest can be stored away in a place of less handiness, and better for weight distribution. It may be that when the road wheel tools are weighed the other spaces amount to no weight of importance, and only take a small amount of room. They might therefore be with the others, probably under the other front seat. I don't think it is good to have them under the bonnet, or on the runningboard spoils the look of the car. Personally I should be delighted if they could be stowed over or behind the back axle. I don't think we should consider who pays. Surely we can adjust this: we should try to save the customer being stuck. The difference between weight in the right place and weight in the wrong place is twice, hence my anxiety to get it away from the centre of the car. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||