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).
Design evolution of radiator louvres for the 40/50 HP chassis, recommending a thermostat-operated system.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 39\4\ Scan048 | |
| Date | 1st December 1921 | |
| CJ. from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} X3499 (handwritten) X3499/X3503 (handwritten, struck-through) Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}2/LG1.12.21. With reference to the attached ref. FN3/DN25.11.21. A set of hand-operated louvres was designed by Mr. Royce for the 40/50 H.P. chassis in 1919. The Sales Dept. and yourself complained that they would spoil the appearance of the car. It was therefore, decided only to make one set experimentally. Later on, we decided to fit the thermostat and a bye-pass in place of the louvres in order to keep the water in the engine at a constant temperature. We have lately come to the conclusion that louvres operated by a thermostat is the best arrangement. A design for this is being made for Goshawk ll. If they are a success, we should recommend that they are adopted on the 40/50 H.P. in place of the present thermostat and bye-pass. R-R Cars built in the U.S.A. are all fitted with louvres in the front of the radiator operated by a relay thermostat. We agree with FN. that the louvres/are an advantage and the thermostat over the present standard thermostat and blanking plates. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||