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).
Specifications and performance of the experimental 'Corniche' car.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 97\3\ scan0114 | |
| Date | 13th May 1939 | |
| 400c. By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}4/R.13.5.39. With reference to Cx{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager}2/KW12.5.39., Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} does not seem to realise that the 'Corniche' can be a completely standard motor-car as regards the chassis if the special parts which we are proposing to run on our experimental car do not prove satisfactory. This is with the exception of the engine, out of which we must get increased horse-power. The engine, however, has satisfactorily passed its endurance running on the Test Bed. Even if we did not use the engine with increased horsepower but the standard engine, the car would still have a greatly increased performance due to the light weight of the body and reduction in windage. In other words, the main feature of the 'Corniche' is the body, and not the chassis, and, therefore, even if we put the body on a standard B.V. chassis, and send the car to Earl's Court in this condition, it would still probably be 10 m.p.h. faster than the standard product, which is what we are after. We, therefore, do not see the point of producing a long list of experimental features which we propose to run on the 'Corniche'. To prevent Sales getting in a 'flat' about the car, we would say that the specification is exactly the same as for the car which completed 15,000 miles satisfactorily about a month ago. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||