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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).
Defending the company's cost figures and explaining the specific costs of a Bentley chassis part.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 154a\3\  scan0248
Date  3rd December 1936
  
1310

To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from G/Rb.{R. Bowen}

c. to Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}
c. to RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}

G/Rb.{R. Bowen}9/W.41236.

Re: Costs.

Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}4/R.3.12.36.

It is a pity that persons will rush into print on subjects they do not understand.

If our cost figures are to be criticised by individuals who have had no experience of costing, then the question of supplying costs to such people will have to be decided.

We suggest that no useful purpose would be served in explaining our system of overhead charges, but we would like you to know that different classes of labour carry different burdens.

The standardisation sheet referred to in your first paragraph is apparently a No.202 - Distance Piece for Rear Hub of Bentley chassis. It is however apparent that you have not fully studied the job. The extra cost is not solely due to the cost of two distance pieces, but also covers the extra turning and grinding on the hubs (which will be done by Dunlops) to accomodate the distance pieces.

Finally we would ask you to withdraw your statement that the cause of your not being able to produce a better motor car is due to, what you consider, unreliable costing.

G/Rb.{R. Bowen}
  
  


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