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 improvements for bonnet clips and overall bonnet aesthetics, weighing style against practical constraints.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 25\1\ Scan101 | |
| Date | 6th January 1927 | |
| To DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from R.{Sir Henry Royce} c. to BJ. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} BONNET CLIPS. X.1140 X.5260 Another scheme of the above is to have a spring finger inside the bonnet, carried by bonnet. This reaches through the bonnet - SEE ORIGINAL FOR SKETCHES. This scheme would have made our original 20 HP. design work satisfactorily. The hook on the barrel should be made higher up at once. With 2 hopeful catches to test we soon ought to get somewhere. My feeling is that this last scheme is the best of this type. BONNET DESIGN (My yesterday's memo.) It should be understood that I am not admitting that the bonnet submitted was definitely uglier than 7-EX., because I cannot believe the difference is sufficient. Possibly the .4 reduction in the height of water tank is too much - perhaps .25" would be right. The suggestions are for the definite object of getting along and reducing the controversy to the minimum. It is a little like the house of Commons trying to get something done. There is little doubt that these suggestions will make a slightly better looking bonnet without robbing the chassis of useful body space. I do not believe we ought to put in empty length for the sake of keeping to some original inches in length. Also I feel that height (which is unavoidable for cooling, and body-work,) dwarfs length. Width at rear (which is necessary for coachwork) also reduces elegance. I am not sure that the thickness of radiator due to integral shutters does any harm. It makes a cleaner looking piece of work, but may dwarf length. The cast dash has nothing to do with it, though it could be made to increase length of bonnet at the expense of the scuttle, but this would be bad in B. type steering. NOW GET SOMETHING DONE OR GET ALL PLEASED! IF POSSIBLE - or we shall be making the same old thing for ever, instead of something more perfect. Its like whipping a dead horse to get along. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||