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).
Workshop delays, the status of Spectre units, and the impact on experimental car work.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 148\5\ scan0090 | |
| Date | 29th October 1935 | |
| -3- Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}7/KW.29.10.35. In addition to these, we deprecate as strongly as you do having to send cars out of the shop to have work done. At the present moment 20-G-IV is having an axle fitted in the Repair and the Cadillac is having the brakes re-lined, etc. at Lendrum & Hartman's. The question of SpectreCodename for Phantom III Bump Chassis also arises. It has recently become more or less standard practice to use the SpectreCodename for Phantom III Test House as a fitting bay. The attitude has been taken up that if the Fitters cannot work on the chassis there, then Bump work would stand still. We think this is entirely wrong and it has resulted in such a state of confusion in the Bumper Test House that we are forced to ask that Bumper work shall be done in the shop. Incidentally, we consider that the reason why this is always so much behind-hand is because there was never any room in the shop for the bumper chassis. With regard to SpectreCodename for Phantom III engine units, this job seems to have been going very slowly during the past two months. The only engine available for test bed work is fitted with lead bronze bearings and we dare not do endurance work because we know that if we have a smash-up we have no replacement. SpectreCodename for Phantom III I unit has frequently failed to be completed up to the promises given, and it does not look as if we shall get it for another week. SpectreCodename for Phantom III 5, which is urgently required for piston work, also seems to be going very slowly. We appreciate your difficulties, but now that the shop is being reorganised we should like to have the opportunity of discussing a better arrangement of the car work with you. Summarising the position, what really worries us is that if cars cannot be got into the shop experiments are slowed up. This is because one experiment has to be completed before the next can be instructed; therefore though you may be able to say to us, "there are not many outstanding experiments instructed which we have not in hand" - the point is that shortage of shop room has prevented us from putting such instructions through. As an indication, the Buick ought to have been sold long ago and several more foreign cars should have been obtained and passed through our hands, but it is no good buying another car whilst we have not been able to examine the one we have got. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||