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).
Car design principles concerning engine configuration and dimensions to adapt to modern traffic conditions.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 43\4\ Scan318 | |
| Date | 9th December 1926 | |
| Oy3-E*12926 -2- December 9, 1926 If one of these days they should discover that refined smaller cars are available which will afford both comfortable and quick long-distance communication and usefulness in the city, our business would be seriously in danger. Luckily at present it is not so. The long heavy car is becoming squeezed out by harder and harder traffic conditions and is already the subject of opressive legislation in some states. It seems to me that since we shall have to compress the car and cannot compress the passengers, we must shorten the engine. As our alternative for U.S. conditions we have the 20 hp. which is a "medium-length" car with a "small" engine, and is about 5" too short from the dash to the rear axle for adequate body space. Apparently 90" from the tip of the pedals to the rear axle is about a practical figure to accommodate all ideas in coachwork. Any consideration of the eight-in-line, as far as I can see, would mean a still longer bonnet and therefore longer wheelbase, or a still more restricted body space. It appears to me therefore that, to meet future conditions in this country and wherever traffic is heavy, every effort should be made to shorten the distance from front wheels to the pedals, and if a greater number of cylinders is to be considered the "balanced-V-eight" like the Cadillac is the only thing so far designed which enters into the field of possibilities. This could give us a dimension of about 40" from the front wheels to the dash, and we could get 95" body space with a 135" wheelbase. It has other advantages, namely:- Greatly reduced bearing loads. Theoretical balance equal to straight-eight. Actual possibilities of smoothness greater than straight-eight, because of more rigid construction. No slipper flywheel. No reaction dampers. Possibly no spring drive. Better distribution.from a single carburetter. | ||