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).
Results and findings of coachwork tests conducted in France on various vehicles.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 82\3\ scan0372 | |
| Date | 7th June 1935 | |
| To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to Hn.{F. C. Honeyman - Retail orders} X 200a Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}19/KW.7.6.35. Test of Coachwork by Coachbuilders in France. We were asked to let Park Wards try 5-B-IV before it returned from France. Unfortunately this was not possible owing to an engine failure. We will, however, put a new unit in the car as soon as it gets back to Derby, and Park Wards can then try it in London. In this particular case we do not think much would have been gained by trying the car in France, because it is not so much a question of rattles as of clearly visible defects. The body has cracked up badly; in fact we could not have continued the test further without major repairs. A more interesting car from the Coachbuilders' point of view, since it is the Paris Trials Car, is the standardised Park Ward Saloon. We had the opportunity of driving this about 350 miles. It has not of course been treated as severely as 5-B-IV, but Sr. considers that it will have to go back to Park Wards for repairs. Anything that is done to this car could be tested immediately by Sr., and should therefore be of considerable value. Our own opinion is that it would be well worth while steel-panelling this body where failure has taken place. Aluminium appears to be quite hopeless for Continental conditions, either for wings or any stressed portions of the body. We admit that with the ride control, which is habitually used in the hardest position on the Continent, we have increased the stresses on the body. Also, the condition of the French roads has deteriorated during the last two years. If Sr's statement about the French coachwork standing up is correct, however, it is undoubtedly possible to do better than we are doing at present. We suggest that when the Van Vooren Saloon returns from Belgium it might be worth while for it and the Park Ward to be tried in France by the Coachbuilders' representatives in the same way as the Cadillac and 28-EX were compared. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||