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).
Secrecy procedures for experimental EAC engines, focusing on bonnet key management.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 72\4\ scan0166 | |
| Date | 27th March 1924 | |
| X9770 CJ. from HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Hsl/LG27.3.24. RE. SECRECY IN CONNECTION WITH EAC. ENGINES. Answering your CJ13/E20.3.24. We will arrange in future that there is only one key to fit the bonnet of any EAC. car which leaves the Works. We attach herewith form of receipt instructed by you which we obtain from everyone who is taking away a car fitted with an EAC. engine. This, we think, makes clear the responsibility of the person holding the key. We propose to add to this form the additional wording contained in your memo. referred to above. As regards the two cars which we recently took to the south of France. Neither of these cars were fitted with EAC. engines. The method we have adopted as regards cars fitted with EAC. engines which go out for short experimental tests from the Works, is that the bonnet is locked and the key is handed to the driver in a sealed envelope. If the key has been used at all, the tester in charge of the key gives full particulars of why it was necessary to open the bonnet and under what conditions it was opened. So far there has been no occasions for a bonnet to be opened on the road. We consider that as regards experimental cars with EAC. engines in our charge, we are carrying out your instructions as regards maintaining the secrecy. We consider, however, we take very great risks when we send contd:- | ||