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).
Car body styling, aerodynamics, and dimensional considerations, comparing with competitors and detailing proposed changes to models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 92\1\ scan0023 | |
| Date | 15th September 1934 | |
| EVI/15.9.34. cont. in the case of the top tank is rectilinear and the base which will be curvilinear. We shall try, therefore, as an alternative a straight line shield at the base after the style of the new Lancia. We suggest that the appearance of American Cars is not a good guide because it changes rapidly from year to year and there is nothing distinctive about it. All American cars look alike with the exception of the Airflow Crysler and the Cadillac. From our wind tunnel experiences we believe that the Airflow Crysler alone has any aerodynamic virtues, and the rest are airflow only in their eye appeal to the man in the street. English, French and German Cars are being influenced in their appearances by America except in the case of the more exclusive models like Hispano, Isotto, and Delage. As, therefore we cannot hope to gain anything aerodynamically without the loss of the Rolls Royce appearance we suggest that it would be as well to adhere to it as closely as possible working at the base of the radiator and the wings to clean up the appearance and to simplify the lines. To begin with we are working on models because these can be made quickly and altered easily. When we have got a scheme which is generally thought to be promising we suggest that we should modify our radiator on the dummy chassis and build up a set of wings for it. The shapes can then be still further worked at before the wings are fitted finally to the car in Derby. We hope to have something to shew you in about a weeks time. There is another appearance question in connection with SpectreCodename for Phantom III which needs to be considered. Due to the wheelbase being shorter than Phantom and the body lengths being approx. unchangedsome of the balanced appearance of length is lost. Actually the body lengths on SpectreCodename for Phantom III for any given steering measuring from the screen to the rear panel are 1.000ins greater due to the steering box being nearer the dash and the steering wheel being more horizontal. The car in Derby has a full length Enclosed Limousine on an "E" Steering and is exactly the same as that on 28EX. If we build a similar body with "C" Steering the screen will come forward 1.500ins forward and the distance from the radiator to the screen will be reduced by that amount. This car will suffer in appearance more so that does 30EX. We are aware that the Hooper "C" Steering Limousine is one of our stock bodies on Phantom, but we suggest that on SpectreCodename for Phantom III we should not use a "C" Steering. The loss in the rear compartment will be 1.500ins. but we feel that there is ample room in the rear of 30EX. We have put in hand a second body exactly like that on 30EX. but very much lightened in structure to take advantage of the rigid chassis and we would like to know whether we should make this "C" Steering or not. | ||