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).
Design of a spare wheel carrier, comparing it to an American 'Essex' car.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 103\5\ scan0004 | |
| Date | 5th May 1921 | |
| X4085 To S. from R.{Sir Henry Royce} c. to CJ. c. to LHS.{Lord Herbert Scott} c. to PN.{Mr Northey} c. to C. c. to Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} T X.3747 X.4217 X.4085 RE SPARE WHEEL CARRIER. The "Essex" which is a cheap and clever American car and very comparable with our "Goshawk 11" in H.P. and size of wheels has a body the same height from the ground as we shewed on our open four-seater Goshawk 11 body. As regards the clearance between the spare wheel and the hood, however, we should, as originally arranged, be much better off than the "Essex" because our wheel was to be carried in a position 2½" lower and leaning just nicely clearing the body, as will be seen from the attached comparative drawing. Further, the floor of the "Essex" car is 1½" higher from the ground and therefore the "Essex" hood is much higher, and would consequently hang out further at the back. The only way we can get the spare wheel to clear the better looking low and level hood, is to lean it backwards, as suggested by Mr. Spinney, which can be done decently and successfully if the hood does not project more than 7" at the back. Mr. Spinney's drawing shews it only about 4", but we think this is neater than possible. + If, in the case of the 15 HP., we could have smaller wheels, then the spare wheel would go lower within the frame. If the sides and back of the body are high, then the hood is a much less awkward article, as well as the windscreen. contd. | ||