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).
Clarifying the responsibilities of Sales and Derby concerning production and experimental car bodywork.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 117\1\ scan0230 | |
| Date | 24th August 1938 | |
| Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} BY.3/G.24.8.38. BODYWORK. Referring to the discussion between ourselves, prior to the holidays, on the subject of bodywork, more particularly in regard to the aspect of the matter which revolves round Ev{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}'s position and personality, and bearing in mind Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}'s remark that he was seriously perturbed at the idea of Derby dropping body design, as he felt a great deal of improvements in the bodies had resulted from work done by the Design Department, I have felt that it was very necessary to clearly define the relations of Sales and Derby in this particular matter. The issue divides itself under two headings:- (a). Production bodies. (b). Bodies for experimental cars. Under these headings I am outlining below the various duties and responsibilities of Sales and Derby, in order to prevent difficulties, such as we were discussing, recurring in the future to the detriment of the job. (a). PRODUCTION BODIES. The production body, both in regard to design and engineering stability, must of necessity be the responsibility of the body producer. We are quite prepared to make the body brackets to suit what the body producer considers necessary, but it is evident that the body producer must take complete responsibility for the durability of the body as well as the general design and suitability, in other words he must take responsibility for producing the right quality body at the right price. The foregoing obviously involves the production of a prototype body by the body producer, which would have to be checked and passed for general seating conditions and quality of finish by Sales, and would then be passed on to the Experimental Department for durability tests. Incidentally, noise questions, which would arise during such testing would be worked out between the Experimental Department and the body producer, as this is of necessity a joint responsibility. | ||