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).
Summary of communications regarding chassis production, timelines, and the adoption of American parts for the U.S.A. market.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 18\6\ Scan190 | |
| Date | 24th February 1920 guessed | |
| -2- Cable from Cy. dated May 25th. recommending use of Bijou Motor and Bosch Magneto. Cable from Cy. dated May 28th. - saying Watford Magneto unsuitable and suggesting Bosch. Cable from Cy. July 16th. proposing to use Bijou Starter. Further - in spite of the cable which Mr.Hadin sent from U.S.A. stating that they had agreed in U.S.A. to make exactly the same chassis as was made at Derby, and also in spite of the cable sent by Mr. Bailey on 10/5/20, stating that it was essential that the American chassis must be the same as the Derby chassis, three letters from Mr.Hadin and Mr.Kelley, dated 4th. 5th and 7th June have been received at Derby, still urging adoption of American parts on American chassis. In addition to this CJ. cabled Works from U.S.A. on July 5th. suggesting that Starter Motor, Magneto, Switchbox, etc. should be obtained in the States, and stating samples of all above, except Switchbox, have been sent to Derby for their approval. Everyone at the Works was under the impression that the first cars at Springfield would be completed about May 1921 until unofficially they heard from Mr.Helm that the first cars would be produced in January 1921. Works then heard on August 22nd. by cable 127, that cars would be produced by November 6th. and that certain articles as mentioned in the Minutes of August 27th. and 30th. must be produced by Derby Works. The Works Committee at once met, and although it effected Derby output, agreed to send these articles out to U.S.A. at a specified rate, which has not only been adhered to, but at present moment Derby Works are ahead of their schedule promises. The Derby Conference would also like to point out that owing to cables from U.S.A. proposing these departures from standard design - as long ago as June 3rd. last, they stated in their Minutes that the quickest and surest way for getting production in U.S.A. was by adhering absolutely to our present design and specification in every feature, and that Derby were even prepared, as a final resource, to produce those parts for U.S.A. which they could not do themselves, e.g., Starter Motor etc. (Contd.) | ||