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).
Importance of weight management in vehicle design, comparing performance and highlighting issues with heavy aftermarket fittings.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 88\3\ scan0040 | |
| Date | 26th April 1934 | |
| x258 To Sc. from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. to Wcr. c. to L. c. to Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} c. to Dy.{F R Danby} c. to Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to Hdy.{William Hardy} c. to Bn.{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} c. to EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}1/MW.26.4.34. WEIGHTS. We recently pointed out the intense interest that the Americans take in weights. A typical example of the results achieved by watching weights is the Terraplane. Wcr. by test found that in spite of its exceptional smoothness it had better acceleration than the standard 20/25. The reason is that the 20/25 weighs 35 cwts., the Terraplane 28 cwts., in spite of the fact that no aluminium or expensive steels are employed in the latter. Because acceleration is directly proportional to weight other things being equal, the cheap Terraplane will inevitably accelerate 20% better than the Rolls-Royce. We get back for this extra weight comfort and durability, but we want to ensure that weight is not added to our standard products for which an adequate return is not obtained. This is particularly important on the Bentley, which indisputably sells on its performance, and at Derby we are constantly engaged in seeing how we can lighten the chassis, even though it may mean more expensive materials and machining operations. We sometimes feel that the money thus spent at the Works is counteracted by fittings that get on the car after it leaves Derby. It is always easier to make things heavy than light. An example we should like to quote is the luggage grid that was sent up to the Experimental Department to be fitted to 21-G-IV, our latest 20/25. This weighs 39 lbs. 3 oz. We are assured that this is the approved R.R. luggage grid for this type of body, but to us it appears fantastically massive. The complete Wolseley 25 HP. grid weighs 20 lbs. 15 1/2 oz. This item on being made by the Coachbuilder has therefore increased in weight 80%. | ||