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).
Experiments with rivetless aluminium bonnets, referencing a competitor's design from the Paris Salon.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\V\March1931-September1931\ Scan372 | |
| Date | 22th August 1931 | |
| HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} ) FROM DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} DY.{F R Danby} ) [Crossed Out] ORIGINAL [Stamp] RECEIVED 31 JUL 31 [Stamp] RIVETLESS BONNETS DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}1/M22.8.31. X 385. X1085. We feel that we are in a very insecure position with respect to this detail, as Sales were pressing for us to do something this time last year. We have given you all the information you need to make a rivetless bonnet in aluminium, with flip flap shutters, some while ago, and we have asked you to make an experiment to discover whether you can make the louvres in the thicker material and so avoid the use of stiffeners. I was very impressed to see that on the Hooper pullman limousine which they are exhibiting at the Paris Salon they have scrapped our bonnet, made a new one, with sheathed side hinges which are invisibly attached. The bonnet has louvres and no stiffeners. There will be no rivets on the bonnet at all. We mention this because we are sure that we shall be criticised by Sales for having been so long with our experiments. DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} | ||