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).
New front axle control scheme, its costs, potential delays, and implementation plan.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 72\3\ scan0271 | |
| Date | 8th July 1924 | |
| To CJ. - from Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} (9421) Wor{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}11/M8/7/24. Re Front Axle Control. -------------------- I received your telephone message and Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} BY and myself have had a conference on this subject, and the following is our joint report:- This last week-end we have received a scheme from Mr.Royce which necessitates a new front axle and radius rods, and possibly some further modifications. However, Mr.Hives is instructed to temporarily try out this experiment with the existing front axle, this may take us a week or ten days to experiment. In answer to your questions:- (1) We are of the opinion that the double radius rods could be applied to the 360 chassis already issued. At the time of writing we cannot say what the extra cost per chassis would be, as full particulars are not available, nor could we say what scrap of material or work in progress would take place. (2) It appears that there will be a considerable amount of delay, possibly some few months, as compared with the present programme. (3) There will be a fair amount of scrap with work already done, for instance, the present front axle, front springs and special brackets for the rear end of front springs would be scrap. This work, of course, is considerably progressed now. The new front axle that is proposed with radius rods would cost a little more than the present front axle, and there would be an additional cost of adding two radius rods per side, and brackets etc. for controlling same, and certain other small parts. In the absence of fuller details in regard to the axle control itself, it will be impossible for us to give a reasonably exact estimate. It might cost 10% to 15% more, not reckoning the cost of scrapping material now in progress. I have today issued a memo outlining a programme for making the 20 Show chassis fitted with the present programme of front wheel brakes, and also that we start on August 7th. immediately after the Works' holiday, to fit standard chassis from Works to Test, and have also asked Mr.Cowen to prepare a list of the 360 customers, so that we may begin at an early date to change over these chassis. This memo has been sent today to C. so that if the scheme is going to be altered C. ought to be advised to go steady until we know more about this new scheme. | ||