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).
Design and market appeal of an American-style folding arm luggage carrier.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 13\6\ 06-page43 | |
| Date | 22th January 1931 | |
| x7400 SG.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} FROM DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}2/M22.1.31. C. to - HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} P. 2. REVISED TYP' LUGGAGE CARRIER. With reference to HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}6/MU19.1.31., you will remember that when you returned from USA, you brought us some photographs of the American folding arm type luggage carrier, and expressed similar views to those of HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} about its neatness and appearance. The matter was put up to the Sales as a whole, and it was their expressed opinion that such a carrier would not appeal to our customers as it would only carry the trunk designed for it. It was therefore not thought worth while adding yet another alternative rear end to P. 2. We do agree that English and continental customers' requirements must necessarily be the same as those in USA. In many ways do USA. requirements differ very widely from those of customers at home or in Europe. We understand that it is the experience of Sales that most customers demand a luggage grid of some sort, and that fitted trunks usually are found to be inadequate for more than two people, and further luggage accomodation is required, also, a set of fitted trunks is of no use to a man who cables his chauffeur to meet him at Southampton off the 'Berengaria'. It is not true that we oppose the American folding arm grid, or wish to carry potatoes. Both cars at WW. have wheels at the rear and luggage accomodation in the body. Both Barker's and Hooper's have an American folding arm type of grid which they can supply to customers who want it. It would be interesting to know how many they have supplied since the advent of P. 2. As far as we are aware we only know of two. If Sales can make use of such a grid, and think it is worth while spending our time in designing it, we shall have no difficulty in doing so. DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} | ||