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).
Condition of car bodies, focusing on window rattles and the benefits of using a subframe to increase body longevity.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 14\8\ Scan252 | |
| Date | 18th May 1930 guessed | |
| -2- Body in good condition except for the two side screens on the front seat which in the first place were a very poor job. 24-XX. Barker Saloon. Total mileage 4,755, of which 3,974 was run in France. Body in good condition. ------------------- It will be noticed that on all these cars the troubles experienced have been rattles from windows, the worst of which emanates from the Hooper patent driver's window which cannot help but rattle if it is made sufficiently free to slide freely. In no case have we had any sign of bodywork cracking at the base of the doors, or on the corners of the scuttle, which always happened on pre-subframe bodies during 10,000 miles tests in France. Before the subframe came along we used to reckon the useful life of a body in France as 10,000 miles; nowadays they return after this mileage with only a few minor rattles in the windows. There is no doubt at all that the subframe increases the life of a body very considerably. We have recollections of running in France prior to the subframe, with wire netting behind the windscreen in case the windscreen should collapse as it very often did. Doors remain free from rattles for a much longer period than previously due to the chassis frame distortions not being transmitted to the body to such an extent. With regard to cutting down the time required by | ||