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 outlining objections to a proposal for a Barker Allweather car body for Mr. Royce to be mounted by Holmes & Sanderson.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 72\2\ scan0113 | |
| Date | 7th July 1925 | |
| to BS.{A J. Barnes - Assistant Manager} from EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} copy to HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} X8998 EV{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}2.7-7-25. S E C R E T E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} A.{Mr Adams} C. II. RE BARKER ALLWEATHER FOR MR. ROYCE. We have received a letter re the above car from Messrs Barker & Co. (Major C.F.Dingwall) to the effect that they understand that this body will be mounted by Messrs Holmes & Sanderson of Derby. We have already stated our views on this subject in our EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}2.27.6.25. to C/Hn.{F. C. Honeyman - Retail orders} and in EV{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}6/EBN.7.25. to Bs.{A J. Barnes - Assistant Manager} a copy of the former being sent to you, but we would like to emphasise them in detail to you direct We dislike the proposal :- (1) Because the allweather head is an experiment in which Barkers, Beatons & ourselves have participated and allthe parties are interested to see the result of this popular body handled by a classic coachbuilder. We therefore need the Barker finish. (2) Because the head leather of a cabriolet should be stretched after the body has been mounted. (3) Because Mr Royce is expecting a Barker finish entirely. Our experience with Messrs Holmes & Sanderson in the past is that they are not likely to give him satisfaction . At the best the result would be a mixture of architecture. (4) Because we think it essential that Mr Royce should have an example of the finest coachwork that we offer the customer. This sure to be of great educational value to all at W.W. | ||