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).
Bodywork issues for a Park Ward model, covering wings, windows, seats, and other components.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 82\5\ scan0163 | |
| Date | 4th June 1937 guessed | |
| BODY WORK. (Park Ward). Both front wings cracked away from the running boards and from the front brackets. The wire netting stone guards fell off. The O.S. running board came loose from the rear bracket. The front windows were made to follow the front edge of the door when opening, leaving a slot at the rear; this produced bad wind noises, and is not satisfactory for this reason. The special anti-rattle fittings at the rear of the sliding roof, operated by the locking knob were most satisfactory and much appreciated. This is the first sliding roof on 15,000 miles test of recent years that has not rattled. The front seat cushions sank very low, leaving space at the bottom of the squab where the back was not comfortably supported. A bulge in the squab level with the hips was a usual feature present in these seats. This is most objectionable as it allowed the upper part of the back and shoulders to lean away backwards, so that their weight was no longer directly over the hips, and the back muscles suffered from overloading, as the stomach muscles were no longer in a position to share in supporting the weight. These remarks only apply to long journeys and it is appreciated that a comfortable upright seat with the knees level with the hips and the feet reasonably low would not be possible owing to lack of head room, but a straighter squab even if it still leaned back would be preferable to the present bulging variety. It was found that the edge of the door is rather easily strained by the all-metal door check-strap if it is blown open suddenly by the wind, when opening the door. Leaks were experienced round the windscreen frame. The dust excluding tray in the luggage boot gave trouble due to ramshackle locking catches allowing it to rackle. The hinge formed a trough when the tray was open, and it was frequently shut up with stones etc., in this trough which in time ruined the hinge. There was a junction box under the rear of the body below the built-in number plate. This box was badly damaged by stones and should be placed in a less vulnerable position. Handwritten text: Wallas. No mention of the Silentbloc Locks, the best feature of the test. Footer text: Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GWH{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}/IMW.{Ivan M. Waller - Head of Chateauroux} | ||