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).
Comparing the excellence of custom-built motor car bodies in the U.S.A. to English counterparts.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 71\1\ scan0009 | |
| Date | 23th March 1921 | |
| To CJ. from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to R.{Sir Henry Royce} X.393 HsY/LG23.3.21. X.393 MOTOR CAR BODIES IN U.S.A. One of the surprises I had in the U.S.A. was the excellence of their custom built bodies. There are two classes of bodies - the factory built and the custom built. (We only ever see here the factory built). There are plenty of Barker and Hooper bodies out there to compare them with, and in my opinion the best American bodies were better made and better finished than the English. They were made to more practical designs and had better fittings, such as, wind screens, window lifters, door hinges, bootings etc. I visited the Smith Body Corp. Plant at Springfield, who specialize in making custom built bodies. Their plant, to me, was far-and-away more up-to-date than Barkers. They made use of a great deal of labour-saving machinery, but by clever alterations to trimmings, mouldings and fittings, they obtained an exclusive appearance. R.R. Springfield appear to have an excellent Body Designer in Mr. Oliver. R.R. Springfield, will, in nearly all cases, supply the complete car. If we are not doing so already, we ought to be sure that there is a constant interchange of body information with U.S.A. The Body Manufacturers in U.S.A., I spoke to, appeared to know all about the best European bodies - they constantly in touch with this side as regards designs. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||