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).
Proposal to produce 50 steel underframes to improve coachbuilt bodies and facilitate the changeover to the SS Phantom model.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 104\3\ scan0067 | |
| Date | 7th November 1928 | |
| Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} from R.{Sir Henry Royce} c. to BJ. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} SG.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} c. to C. /5380 R3/M7.11.28. UNDERFRAMES. X.7380 X.5380 X.7830 It would seem certain that the use of a steel underframe improves the present coachbuilders bodies, and results in a better motorcar. It will also be very necessary for the coming changeover from present to SS.{S. Smith} Phantom. As soon as this changeover is decided it will be advisable to arrange the stock bodies to be built on underframes. This desirable practice will therefore be a great convenience in filling the otherwise gap in the construction of bodies. It is proposed to make 50 underframes as soon as the models proved. The practice has been repeatedly proved to add to the life of the body in our 10,000 miles trials, and on all our exprimental cars. Underframes may not be suitable for real Weymann bodies, but are a wonderful convenience in cases of removing bodies while under repair. One therefore concludes that a stock of under-frames should be available to be used as experience dictates. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||