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).
Cost, weight, and design implications of a modified Wraith II steering box.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 9\7\ 07-page039 | |
| Date | 25th February 1937 | |
| SECRET. E/Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}6/MN.25.2.37. To. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Copy to Mr. Er. Hy{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} Hrs. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/HDY.{William Hardy} 650 Wraith II Steering Box. With our E/Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}4/MN.17.2.37. we issued to you M.Sch.5043 showing a modified rocker shaft and system of lubrication for the Wraith II steering box. We now learn from the Cost Department (G/Rb{R. Bowen}) that the modified rocking shaft with lightened centre shows a little saving over the one drilled with oil passages, whilst the new aluminium die cast end cover is slightly cheaper than the mild steel one. All these savings are more or less offset by the additional pieces required to carry the oiling system round to the end of the rocking shaft and the estimated factory cost saving is threepence per chassis. The desirability of using the scheme therefore depends upon the weight advantage obtained which is about ½ lb., as against the demerits of the scheme which are the increased number of parts and comparative untidiness. In view of these remarks would you kindly say whether it is worth while going ahead with this scheme and in the meantime we suggest there is no need for HY.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} to make any details. Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} | ||