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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).
The difficulty in obtaining materials for experimental chassis due to licensing requirements and lack of a government contract.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 142\2\  scan0479
Date  30th March 1940
  
1200

To Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}
c. to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}
c. to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}

Les.1/B.30.3.40.

MATERIAL FOR EXPERIMENTAL CHASSIS

We should like to warn you that we are now finding it impossible to obtain certain chassis material which has been requested by the Experimental Department due to the fact that we have no Government contract.

Further to our recent conversation with regard to the supply of steel tubing from Accles & Pollock, we have now received letters from Automotive Products and Borg & Becks, stating that all future orders require a Licence Number. They also state that items now on order will not be delivered until the Licence Number is given.

If this instruction is strictly carried out, it means that it will be impossible for us to obtain delivery of the six sets of Hydraulic Brakes now on order and also any future delivery of experimental clutches.

In the very near future we feel certain that every forging concern will also ask for a Licence Number so that we shall then be in a state when practically no chassis material can be purchased. It appears that the only method of carrying on a small amount of chassis development work in conjunction with the much needed production experience, is for us to apply for an Export Licence for the 300 Bentley V.{VIENNA} chassis, the material of which is in a very advanced state, including machining.

We have just heard that Lagondas have sold to the United States the whole of the 50 12-cylinder chassis which they were building.

Les
  
  


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