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).
Review and critique of a 20 HP Cabriolet De Ville with a Blue Hooper Body, comparing it unfavourably to American cars.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 6\7\ 07-page051 | |
| Date | 29th May 1929 | |
| Y5230 HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from R.{Sir Henry Royce} SECRET R4/M29.5.29. Copy to SG.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} " " BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} " " DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} 20 HP: CARRIOLET DE VILLE - X.5770 BLUE HOOPER BODY. X.5830 X.5230 This car, which arrived at WW. on Monday evening appears to us very powerful, although we understand it is not of the increased bore. I have not however run it long enough to get a very definate impression as regards its smoothness. The radiator appears quite reasonably steady. The wings are hardly steady enough, and DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} thinks that we should stiffen our standard stays. As far as I can understand at the moment the body seems to have an immense influence over the chassis, and that we have not got to the bottom of how the body effects the radiator movement. In passing I consider this Hooper body far from up to the required standard. It is low in efficiency due to the thick doors, and it is poor in appearance due to the poor details of construction. The instrument board with its black faces has a very disappointing appearance, and altogether it makes one feel as if the American mass production work will wipe the floor with these 'one off' efforts of the British coachbuilders. However I am only judging from the smartness of the appearance of many of the standard comparatively inexpensive American cars. In conclusion, it points out that we have certainly obtained as much increase in power by the improvements to the induction and exhaust systems, and head, of the 20HP. as we have done by the increase in the bore. The characteristics are however slightly different, but it suggests that we shall not get the full benefit of our improvements in the 20 HP. until we have made the complete changes anticipated, which should be pushed forward with all possible speed, before the somewhat disappointing performance of the present 20 HP. seriously affects its sales. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||