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).
Supplier quality issues, particularly with Lucas regarding windscreen wipers and lamps, and proposing alternative solutions.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 59\3\ Scan239 | |
| Date | 6th March 1933 guessed | |
| -2- Cont'd.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} The wiper has not been made for our work but with a view to getting it adopted on mass produced cheap cars. The shaft drive Lucas of which we were given a print some six months ago looked very promising. We are now told that it has been dropped because it was proving too expensive for the mass production people. As far as Messrs. Lucas are concerned it is very patent to us that, whilst they are very anxious that they should retain our custom, yet they are not willing to produce a first class article for us alone, unless they are forced to do so. An example of this is to be found in the history of the P.2. centre lamp. We appealed to Lucas for one and were only able to get a catalogued lamp. Finally we get Butlers to make us a lamp which we use for a year or more. Then do Lucas agree to produce a lamp. We have had to get Butlers to make a combined tail and stop lamp. Now Lucas are trying to tell us that they would like to make it. We are sorry to say that we are of the opinion that the articles which Lucas produce today are not good enough for us in most cases." This may not necessarily be the expressions of our general opinion but it is obviously the opinion of the section of our organisation who are responsible for the supply and fitting of wind screen wipers. We should be pleased to have your remarks on these criticisms and what you propose to do in the matter. It has occurred to us that the RW. type of wind screen wiper with the rigid rack type of drive could easily be modified for a curved scuttle rail by curving the rack itself. Perhaps you would like to pass this suggestion on to your people and advise me what they say about it. | ||