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).
Potential weight-saving measures on various car components.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 88\3\ scan0110 | |
| Date | 1st February 1935 | |
| -5- On the lighter side the front axle shews up very well and we think a pound or two can still be saved, because strangely enough the rear hubs are some two pounds lighter than the front hubs, although the former have more widely spaced bearings and more weight to carry. The engine unit and gearbox shew up well chiefly, probably, owing to the use of aluminium in place of cast-iron. However, we have a four speed synchromesh box to contend with. The present standard Bentley Dynamo is 30 lbs. 8 ozs. and the small one we have on test is 23 lbs. 6 ozs. This is about comparable with the American dynamos on similar cars, the La{L. A. Archer} Salle weighing 24 lbs. 12 ozs. We should like to use an aluminium head but at present fear the loss of volumetric efficiency would outweigh the gain. We cannot get away with very light flywheels at present, but are experimenting in this direction. The frame figures indicate that we want the cross and the separate gearbox. This may mean additional weight. We attach a summary of what we think might be done in the way of weight saving if an effort was made by all concerned. We are determined to tackle the items that we can deal with experimentally. HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||