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 of a Fiat chassis, comparing an Italian-built body with a proposed English version.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 21\7\ Scan006 | |
| Date | 14th March 1922 | |
| -2- present dimensions of the springs. Now with regard to the bodywork, which as I said is an Open 4-seater Touring body built in Italy, there is not sufficient room for pleasurable touring. The driver's seat is very cramped and the squabbing at the back very thin. The back seat also does not give sufficient room and one has the impression of sitting on the top of the body instead of inside it. I came to the conclusion that if I were to buy a 10 horse Fiat chassis, I should have an English body placed on the same, but 3" longer dimensions, and by this means without in any way over-burdening the chassis or making sufficiently noticeable overhang, I should have a comfortable touring body and practically the same weight. To refresh your memory, I will add that the "Penguin" is 1½" longer than the Fiat chassis. My object in sending you this memo is to suggest that the Fiat should be as soon as possible sent down to West WitteringHenry Royce's home town for Mr. Elliott to see and to study, because I think it offers a practical illustration of the points under discussion with regard to body room and also, of the many small chassis I have tried of that horse-power, I easily place the Fiat first. LHS.{Lord Herbert Scott} H8 RECEIVED MAR 14 1922 | ||