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).
Comparison of Packard's manufacturing methods and components against Rolls-Royce's, focusing on cost reduction.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 127\1\ scan0250 | |
| Date | 20th November 1935 | |
| -8- Sft{Mr Swift}/Sctl/BH.20.11.35. We take it, that this is one of the many features pronounced good by those who have tried out the Packard, yet at a time when an endeavour is being made to reduce costs and particularly in the way of hand-work, a scheme is shortly to be placed in our own chassis, the costs of which will be high compared with the Packard scheme. Attention also should be called to the ferodo strips that are fastened to the edges of the Dash and Radiator and whereon the bonnet rests. These are fixed in a rough fashion by a special rivet driven in and afterwards punched over. A great difference from the threading of our ferodo through slots in the dashboard angles. If Packard system could be adopted we should have a great reduction in hand-work here. PROPELLER SHAFT. This unit as compared to our own, must be much below the cost of the Rolls-Royce in manufacture. We would, without doubt welcome the employment of a similar transmission shaft as this. The elimination of our expensive mechanics joints, trunnions, housings, and present type of sliding sleeves would enormously decrease our costs, both in the machining and fitting of these units. The apparent effective simplicity of the tongue and groove method of driving, makes for a reduction in costs when compared to our own. The domes covering the pins, and which encase the needle bearings, must when filled with grease be apparently satisfactory, and would by their adoption reduce costs. It is noticed that one nipple serves to lubricate the sliding end and there is an absence of surplus oil at the other end. We cannot say whether these main end pieces are fixed in the tube by, first, taper pins and afterwards welded, but whatever the means, they are vastly different from ours. THE ENGINE. We have had no opportunity of course of seeing the | ||