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 mounting techniques, materials, and light alloy development for car frames.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 117\1\ scan0061 | |
| Date | 13th November 1935 guessed | |
| - sheet 3 - At the same time, of course, it should be remembered that the scuttle is only joined to the dash by means of the semi-isolation scheme normally used. We believe this compromise is very suitable for a flexible frame such as fitted to the present Bentley, and that it tends to avoid a front end resonance arising out of the rapid change in rigidity where the body leaves off and the frame begins. It should not be necessary in the case of the Phantom 3 unless some other condition supervenes. We should recommend that for metal bodywork on the present Bentley chassis the Silent-bloc mounting of the body and semi-isolation attachment to the scuttle should be maintained until such a time as the more rigid frame is available. With the Silent-bloc mounting we think the bodywork could be fixed rigidly to the rear end of the frame, as is done on the Van Vooren. With regard to the light alloy development there will be a meeting of Dr Schulthess, and Mr Koenig of the Aluminium Industrie with Mr Ward and E.V. at the Park Ward Works tomorrow, Thursday, and these gentlemen are coming up to Derby the following day, Friday, to discuss the results of comparing Mr Ward's investigation with their own, into the possibilities of this system. This light alloy development is nothing like that which has been tried in the past but is entirely of wrought metal and is like the steel construction practically except for the change in the material and for the use of extruded sections cut off to the required length in place of formed pressings, but even here it is now obvious that pressings can be used made up on wooden patterns in light alloy exactly the same as with the steel. The main problem of the development is the means by which the body frame members and the panelling are held together, and we will report at a later date on the conclusions which are reached in respect of this matter. The saving claimed in weight by the use of light alloys is considerable. We do not see much use in clothing a steel framework with aluminium panelling owing to the difficulty of fixing the panelling to the framework in a satisfactory and economical manner which will carry all the stresses | ||