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).
Secret memo discussing design proposals to maximize luggage boot capacity on various car models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 114\4\ scan0240 | |
| Date | 7th March 1938 | |
| 1012. SECRET To Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Copy to H.R., P.D. [Struck through] M.H., H.P./Lv., H.I. [Struck through] Luggage Boot Capacity. Referring to Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}11/R23.2.38 I agree that in principle we want to give the maximum amount of luggage room possible consistent with not spoiling the design and we are interested in the investigations and comparisons. We shall look forward to seeing what the actual proposals are for B.50 and it is hoped that ultimately we shall obtain a reasonably good built in space on all types so as to be able to do away with the standardisation of the expensive auxiliary grid or platform. It is agreed that the dust door is normally superfluous and we are proposing to omit it in the future (except where specially ordered) so as to make the most of the available space and save expense. I note what you say about the plain swept back and this is not considered essential although its sleek appearance is attractive and you may have noticed on the Bentley car B-50-LS, which Lp.{Mr Lappin} is now using (body by Mulliner of Birmingham) there is an arrangement which is a modification of both designs and gives reasonably good luggage room. This scheme has been adopted already on some bodies and it will probably prove of most use on some types of bodies for P.III and Wraith. We agree the importance of the size and shape of the opening to the locker and hope to raise the top of the opening in some cases and also reduce the thickness of the locker door which will give more room for luggage and, we hope, save some weight. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} | ||