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).
Strategy for producing left-hand drive 'SS' cars for the American market and coordinating with the Springfield factory.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 19\3\ Scan047 | |
| Date | 1st February 1929 | |
| To WOR.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} 47772 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}2/LG23. 2. 29. RR. OF AMERICAN INC. 47770 41286 As soon as it is established, or is even probable that we shall be making 'SS{S. Smith}' cars for U.S.A., I strongly recommend that we advise Springfield to arrange to send Mr. Olley over here on a visit. We have got to expect that Springfield will demand certain modifications to the chassis and the sooner we can come to some agreement the better. Even though there is no left-hand chassis on the road, they can get a tremendous lot of information from the right-hand 'SS{S. Smith}' cars, they can also judge the designs of the left-hand chassis. The only possible way we can work successfully with Springfield is to convince them that our standard product is suitable and is what they require. If we attempt to force upon them a chassis, there will be one constant war. We are always bound to have difficulties because RR. Springfield's sole business is the selling of Phantom or 'SS{S. Smith}' cars, and as we have several other products, the relative importance of the work or alterations on the Phantom and 'SS{S. Smith}' chassis will be viewed from a different standpoint. I should like to see OY. over here as soon as possible. We do not think it is worth while any one else coming at present. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||