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).
Report comparing vehicle components to American counterparts and suggesting design improvements.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 174\2\ img126 | |
| Date | 3rd May 1937 guessed | |
| are very popular, and are alleged to reduce the maintenance work necessary on an engine to a remarkable extent. STEERING. Minor modifications to the Marles gear that we have already mentioned in our reports. Also G.M. manufacturing technique should reduce the cost of the gear greatly. We must ensure that the overall weight of any steering gear and column designed in the future is not materially greater than that made for the same size of car in America. FRAMES. The Oldsmobile gave the greatest feeling of solidity per pound of frame weight. It was not as bad for noise as some cars, notably the Buick. For a car like the Wraith, which does not require an exceptionally low floor and must have a reasonable ground clearance, we think that this frame is a good model. We ought not to have to invent frames. PROPELLER SHAFTS. The propeller shaft split in the middle helps to lower the floor of the car. This should be investigated. There is a good example on the Oldsmobile. BATTERIES. We are still heavier on batteries than the Americans, pro rata. The Americans certainly work their batteries hard. The investigation to lighten batteries should continue. SUSPENSION. We have got to reduce the weight of our road springs by at least 25%, and do better than halve the cost. To get this result we have only to follow American tehnique. There is no justification for making roll rods other than as on the Cadillac shock damper connections should be experimented with of the inlex bush type if our existing damper is retained. The Panhard rod should be tried out to reduce sideways shake. Also to replace roll rod. PETROL TANKS. It is not reasonable to leave petrol tanks as they are when an over-drive is fitted. A 10% reduction in fuel capacity should be justified. Our weights per gal of petrol carried should compare with the Americans. | ||