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).
Status update letter from France regarding vehicle testing issues, mechanical faults, and a query about Christmas work arrangements.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 11\2\ 02-page026 | |
| Date | 20th December 1928 | |
| 96 Hôtel de France, Châteauroux, Indre. December 20th. 1928 To: Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Derby We have received your letter of the 18th. inst. re the 20-HP schedule. It must be distinctly understood that without we get the required amount of drivers, it is impossible to do the required mileage per day. We find that with the S.S car there is practically no margin for extra mileage. There is always something, however small, that have to be attended to: filling up with petrol, checking oil consumptions, washing the car, occupies the spare time that is available. The night driving is very slow and risky owing to the continued fog that comes in between 4 and 5 o'clock in the afternoon. Fortunately it has cleared up during the runs, otherwise we should have been down, as it is the night-driving run is taking full 8 hours to do 200 miles. Paris cannot spare a driver owing to the removal of their Depot and Parsons says new cars that have come in lately. If this had not been the case, Allen would have been available help. You might possibly write to Ps. and get him to change his mind. [Handwritten Annotation] hôtél MISS. We are having our usual trouble with distortion of exhaust pipe. This is more or less the same as previous Phantoms. The exhaust pipe from the manifolds to the silencer is straightening out at the bends and bringing it out of the rear silencer. By the looks of it we have about .250" left before the pipe leaves the rear silencer. Otherwise the car is running beautifully. The only thing that is giving trouble is the dirty petrol which we are getting, making it a daily task of cleaning the filter. It appears to be worse than what we have previously experienced. We have experienced the usual trouble over here of the diaphragm seizing up in the air dash. This is entirely due to a too good fit being made by the Experimental Dept. Colonel Hawkins has sent for all the papers belonging to the car, as apparently there has been some hitch with the Guarantee, this apparently having been made out in Mr. Wormald's name. Therefore we are having to run the car without any papers whatsoever. We are trusting that we shall not run into trouble due to this. There is a private matter that I should wish you to answer me direct, as regards Christmas day. In talking this over with the men here, they are apparently under the impression that they will get paid for this, although they propose not to work. I have said I do not agree with this and that if they wish to be paid they will have to work on Christmas as usual. Will you please let me have your views re this. G.W.H. [Signature] | ||