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 history and issues with supplying car springs for the Spanish market, refuting points from a previous memo.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 67a\1\ scan0279 | |
| Date | 11th March 1927 | |
| c. EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} c. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} SPRINGS FOR SPAIN ----------------- We have already written fully on this subject through EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} I think the memo is probably by this time in your possession. In regard to the points raised in Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}10/M.10.3.27, I cannot agree to overlook the following facts:- 1. Originally we supplied Spain with springs precisely the same as all other cars on the Continent, e.g. 5% stronger than standard British. 2. We were told that the springs were hopeless. Not once or twice, but on several occasions, and you yourself brought the greatest pressure possible to bear upon Derby to obtain the same type of springing for Spain as had been agreed to by R.{Sir Henry Royce} for Australia. We held out for a long time, but finally, in the face of continued pressure, accepted the position and gave you the modified springing. 3. We do not agree with RV. that no rear springs have broken. We broke both rears and fronts, and the same thing occurred in Australia. We are agreed that there were more front springs than rears, but there were three factors in the case - Firstly, that stronger springs were necessary to keep off the buffers. Secondly, springs were breaking. Thirdly, roads were so, apparently, that no ordinary spring would stand up to it. 4. The fourth item, by which we are told that Spanish roads are not materially worse than French, is entirely different from what we were told four or five years ago, as at that time we were supplying springs suitable for French roads, but were told they were utterly useless in Spain. Finally, I am quite prepared to do anything that is agreed to by responsible people. All I want is a decision, and this time a decision that everybody will subscribe to so that finally Derby are not left high and dry as apparently the only culprits in the situation. Contd. | ||