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).
Secret memo discussing bodywork modifications for chassis 2-B.50, involving wheel arches, wings, and lamps, in correspondence with coachbuilder Park Ward & Co.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 111\1\ scan0135 | |
| Date | 19th August 1938 | |
| Secret S/W DY{F R Danby}/Mtn c. to...Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. to...EV{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} Hn{F. C. Honeyman - Retail orders}16/AH.19.8.38. Body for 2-B.50. We thank you for BY/Mtn12/N.17.8.38, and the front wing print which we have handed to Park Ward & Co., We notice this print shows lamps apparently "built in" the wings. Do you want this treatment please? It is somewhat expensive, of course. In connection with print P.D.228 showing revised wheel arches, Park Ward & Co., enquire whether you propose to modify the 5th and 6th body brackets. It looks as if the wheel arches, if made as shown in this print, will foul the mounting holes in these brackets if they are in the position shown in the drawings previously issued. Park Ward & Co., have prepared the attached sketch 13314 to show what they have in mind. Please let us know what you intend to do. You have appreciated no doubt that the changes to the wheel arches will necessitate alterations to Park Wards' chassis jig and the scrapping of the wheel arches they had commenced before notification was received of the decision to increase the wheel track. This, of course, means a certain amount of expense and delay, and it looks as if the body will not now be ready to leave Park Wards' works until early October. Incidentally, it was feared that if the wheel arches be exactly as shown in P.D.228, the appearance of the back wings would not be liked so at our request Park Ward & Co., will make them as shown in their own sketch No.13313 attached. This will not affect the width of the back cushion but will give more depth to the back wing and maintain a proper balance between the depth of the wings and the back quarters of the body. So you may appreciate the effect on the appearance of the car of the wheel arch shape and back wing treatment, we are attaching another sketch No.13312 prepared by Park Ward & Co. We feel sure you will agree that the car looks better with the wheel arches treated as shown in sketch 13313. Incidentally this further sketch 13312 also shows how it is intended to treat the luggage locker. | ||