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).
Standing height and bonnet line of Silver Cloud H.J. Mulliner, Park Ward Saloon cars.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 26\1\ Scan051 | |
| Date | 22th November 1963 | |
| To:- CrW c:- LS For JS{Mr Johnson's Secretary} - Conduit Street SB{Mr Bull/Mr Bannister} JPO CW - Will. WSC{W. S. Cassel} - Will. EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} - Lillie Hall Dd S/MW 22.11.63 Silver Cloud H.J. Mulliner, Park Ward Coachwork Further to JS{Mr Johnson's Secretary} 3/HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} 15.11.63, which was passed for the writers attention. I have measured numerous Standard Cloud Saloon Cars from the top of the radiator to the ground, using a rule on the slope 6 inches forward of the shell and vertical to the ground in front of the bumper. These come out at 42 inches +/- ½” with a standing height of approximately 1½ inch. The new Mulliner, Park Ward Saloon at present used for trials, and others like it, should stand at the same height as a standard car providing the standing heights of both cars are the same. In the past we have had a low figure of .850” on new cars, but in view of our findings that cars steer better on the motorways at high speed, standing height has recently been increased to 1.3” and on talks of further increasing to 1.7” to allow for settlement. We have got so used to a falling bonnet line on S.III that when one sits in the Mulliner, Park Ward, which is fitted with a Continental scuttle the bonnet top is almost horizontal and gives a strong impression of the old Rolls look. It must have been this which started the questionnaire. It would require a major alteration to lower the radiator, and we do not recommend any attempt to improve the appearance by standing the car up at the rear with stronger springs, CB is in all against this for maximum stability at high speeds. [Handwritten on side] 911 [Initialed] Dd | ||