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).
Examination and comparison of a long wheelbase Vauxhall with facing forward seats to the Wraith model.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 127\4\ scan0103 | |
| Date | 12th March 1938 | |
| 1097 also Rms Policy Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Hm.{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} c. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} c. By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. Da{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/SV. Rml/R.12.3.38. LONG WHEELBASE VAUXHALL WITH FACING FORWARD SEATS. With reference to your query re the long wheelbase Vauxhall, we went and examined one of these cars at Oscroft's in Derby. From an accommodation point of view the body appears to be quite as attractive as the Wraith. The luggage accommodation is limited as the spare wheel is at the back. However, this enables them to reduce distance from the front wheels to the dashboard by 11"; in other words they manage to get a Wraith body on the same wheelbase as the B.50. If we go to the same height as this Vauxhall on the B.50 and add 8" in the centre of the frame we can get the same size of body. This is, of course, what we intended to do originally in order to provide a Wraith replacement which would fit in with our rationalised programme. The frame on this Vauxhall is not so deep as that on the B.50, but is of heavier gauge. If we add 8" to the wheelbase of the B.50 we should probably find it desirable to use a heavier gauge for the side members. We are finding out from Briggs Bodies what addition to their tool cost of £5,550 would be necessary in order to enable them to produce heavier gauge side members. As a matter of interest Oscroft's state that they sell about two of these cars a year. We were told that the weight, including division and occasional seats, was about 34 cwts. The finish of the body is very good, leather in front, Bedford Cord behind. As the chassis price is below £300, they have about £300 available for the body. The adjustment of the angle of the back seat seems to be an asset. | ||