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).
Technical description of improvements made to the front axle, road wheels, radiator, battery, and body mounting.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 14\5\ Scan135 | |
| Date | 16th September 1929 guessed | |
| (6) FRONT AXLE. The front axle and brakes follow the well tried construction used on Phantom, and in general only detail improvements have been made. There is also the positive control of the front axle against the disturbing effect on the steering of the front wheel brakes, and brakes which are effectively equalised and proportioned, requiring the minimum of pedal pressure and adjustment and independent of forward or backward, or engine running and stopped. ROAD WHEELS. The wire wheels have been redesigned, the hubs of which are narrower than on Phantom, thus reducing the overall width of the car, and saving weight. The braking used is the special RR. six brake system with servo relay operation as used on Phantom, but redesigned somewhat simpler and lighter. In redesigning the back axle a single large dia. of brake drum is provided with side by side shoes of ample width, and the operating mechanism is of our type which gives constancy of leverage and freedom from friction. RADIATOR. The radiator, while retaining the traditional RR. appearance, is slightly narrower and much deeper, being sunk between the frame side channels, thus adding considerably to the frontal area for cooling, while at the same time improving the front appearance. BATTERY. The battery is carried in a strong metal box inside the frame, but so arranged as to be easily accessible for inspection and topping up. It is arranged in two parts so as to be removable without difficulty in case of necessity. BODY MOUNTING. The speed, acceleration, and braking, of the 40/50 RR. car are now so great that it has been found desirable to provide additional means for isolating the coachwork from the chassis in order to avoid the undue punishment of the former. For this reason the body subframe has been provided, the body being built on this steel subframe as a base, and the whole subsequently mounted in the chassis by supports having a certain degree of flexibility. Tests have proved that the life of the coachwork is greatly prolonged by this means. The construction has other advantages also, notably that the body can be removed from the chassis intact without risk of damage. | ||