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).
Potential design improvements by comparing features with a Jaguar.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 161a\2\ scan0302 | |
| Date | 16th November 1938 | |
| To E.V. from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Copy to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} re B.V. Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}11/E161138 I am not quite clear whether we want to reduce the height of the bonnet a bit in order to improve visibility, and appearance. Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} was out on a Jaguar the other day, the bonnet of which is 1" lower than B.V. and I gather that they have been able to do this by fitting the air silencer at the side instead of on top of the engine. I should like to hear about this when we meet on the 22nd. Their front wings are 2" higher than ours so that the visibility of front wings from the driver's seat is very much better but whether we want to do this or not is, I think, a point for discussion. Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} thought when he tried the Jaguar that the height of their back floor was better than ours but I think he is now satisfied that there is no difference. He mentions that the starting of the engine was excellent. They have what is called a thermo-electric starter and he says you merely switch on and press the starter button and the engine starts almost before you can take your finger off the button, whether hot or cold. I should like to hear at the same time about this as compared with what we are doing. So far as Wraith is concerned, I should say that in the ordinary way its starting is not as reliable as the old 25/30. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} | ||