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 chassis length and spare wheel configuration for the 'SG' model.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 65a\2\ scan0172 | |
| Date | 1st January 1929 | |
| COPY. SECRET. E.J. Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}2/W.1.1929 re: "SG{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}" Chassis. Referring to attached memo from R.{Sir Henry Royce} this tells us something we did not previously know - i.e. that in cases where people object to the length or appearance with two wheels at the back, we can arrange to let them have one at the back and an additional one on a side carrier if they insist on two. We were previously under the impression that the "SG{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}" was designed to carry two at the back and that there would be no alternative, but now that we know that this is not so, any fears which we had on the matter are set at rest, and I have ascertained from BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} that the over-all length of the chassis with a single wheel would be 17' 4 1/2" - i.e. only about 2" longer than the present chassis with one wheel at the back. As regards the suggestion of having a shorter length chassis, I think this is something we ought to avoid unless we find there is a definite demand for a shorter car than the standard one we propose to offer. Sales of "Phantom" chassis during the last few years, have indicated that the demand is practically 100% for the long wheelbase chassis at the price of £1900, although the shorter one is still offered in our Catalogue at £1850. and we see no reason at the moment for this position to change. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Att: Copies of - R1/W25.12.28 R1/W26.12.28 | ||