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).
Minutes from a car conference discussing a senior rationalised programme, weight reduction, and projected 4-cylinder engines.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 161a\1\ scan0051 | |
| Date | 17th October 1939 | |
| SECRET. 1381 Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}6/MH.{M. Huckerby}17.10.39. CAR CONFERENCE HELD AT DUFFIELD BANK HOUSE ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 16TH AT 4 PM. Present:- Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls} Em. SENIOR RATIONALISED PROGRAMME. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} queried the usefulness of the 3 additions to the Senior Rationalised Programme shown on Sheet 2 of P.L.6. It was pointed out that these were cars which would follow on the 10'4 wheelbase cars which they replaced, as and when circumstances permitted. In other words, there would probably be at least a year's production on the 10'4 wheelbase before any change would be made. The object of the change was to save weight. The reduction of the distance from the front wheels to the dashboard from 34.5" to 27", a total of 7.5", would permit of the frame gauge being reduced, and it was expected that this modification alone would result in a decrease of complete car weight of 1 cwt. Apart from the economy in material this would effect, it would improve the performance of the car and make it easier to handle. It was emphasised that this move had been largely necessitated by the fact that the final B.V. car was coming out at about 35 cwts. which was undesirably heavy from every point of view. It was considered that this lighter car would permit of a reasonable performance being obtained with the projected 4-cylinder 2.8 litre power plant. 4-CYLINDER ENGINES. The projected 4-cylinder engines were discussed. It was stressed by Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} that, though the large 4-cyl. unit was based on the desirable results observed during a run on the new 16 H.P. Riley, this type of unit was new to us. Also that the whole of our 'quantity production' programme was based on 4-cyl. engines. | ||