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).
Production and testing strategy for a new Sports Model car.
Identifier | ExFiles\Box 65a\1\ scan0200 | |
Date | 22th December 1927 | |
Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}..from BJ. c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} ----------- With reference to Wor{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}3/T20.12.27, I have discussed this matter with C. and Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} who are extremely glad that the Sports Model can be put in hand and tested so soon. We feel that the best compromise will be to adhere to making three as originally arranged, as soon as the 10,000 miles test has proceeded for 2,500 miles in France, and if then all the parts are running satisfactorily we might risk putting one dozen sets in hand of the parts which are not our usual standard. With regard to the parts which are standard, we would prefer to leave you to use your discretion as to when you would like to make 12 short chassis for this purpose. We are certain to require at least 12 of these chassis, therefore there is no risk in ordering 12 lots of material and manufacturing 12 of these short chassis, with the exception of the 9 items mentioned in your memo. which 9 items will receive consideration immediately the test car has run 2,500 miles, with a view to ordering then 12 sets of these 9 items. The point we would like you to bear in mind is that the 12 chassis should be so far completed that they will not delay completion of the 12 Sports chassis so soon as the 9 items are completed and ready to fit. You will doubtless arrange for the manufacturing to be done at what is likely to be the most economical time. In regard to ordering 12 sets of material, would this by much more expensive than ordering 25 or 50 sets? The safe policy for us is first to send round our Demonstration cars to the Riviera and elsewhere to find out if, as a car this is going to be a saleable proposition and we are not anxious to order more than 12 to start with until we have found this out. If, when we have started Demonstrations we find there is a rush on it we might then consider ordering 50 or 100 sets; but we would prefer to be guided by our experience when we are able to show it to the Public. Much naturally depends on whether, for instance, making 12 of these cars only will bring up the price to an excessive amount as compared with laying down say 50 at a time. Doubtless you will be able to advise us on this. Our general impression is that building anything in the Experimental Dept. is extremely expensive as compared with building for production in the Works. We are hoping that practically the whole chassis can be made in the Works in the most economical way and the special parts | ||