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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).
Secret internal memo discussing production planning, schedules, and historical data related to various chassis series and braking systems.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 73\3\  scan0311
Date  1st April 1925
  
SECRET.

CJ3/E7.4.25.

B.J. from CJ.

It is hoped that we shall not have any big changes in chassis for some considerable time to come, after the V.{VIENNA} series 40/50 and the new series of the 20 HP. with 4-speed gearbox and front wheel brakes have definitely been put into manufacture.

We still have, however, in front of us the 'W' series.

It is very important that we should make a permanent record for our guidance in the future as to our experience during the last 18 months.

The Designing Staff are always too optimistic as to the time which will elapse between the commencement of a design and the delivery to the public of chassis made in accordance with those designs.

[XX] I should like to have the following dates verified as I am writing from memory.

(1) The announcement of the 4-wheel brakes was made to the public on the 1st. Nov.1923.

The first chassis issued from the Works with the front wheel brakes included and with suitable springs etc. was on the 25th.Nov.1924.

The first chassis returned to the Works to have brakes fitted to it was re-issued by the Works on 30th.Dec.1924.

The cost to the Company of the latter operation was perhaps £50,000. In arriving at this figure it is not fair to include the cost of the brakes which in any case had to be fitted.

(2) On the 2nd.Feb.1924 PN.{Mr Northey} drove to the south of France a chassis fitted with the EAC. engine.

At the present date a chassis fitted with EAC. engine has just started on a 10,000 miles trial in France, but even this chassis has not fitted to it a coupling to take the place of the fabric coupling which failed during the 10,000 miles trial in France on an EAC. chassis which returned to England a fortnight ago.

Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} reports that there are 140 pieces (this should be verified by his recent memorandum) - still to be manufactured in connection with the V.{VIENNA} series chassis and that he is unable to promise the delivery of the first of V.{VIENNA} series chassis before the end of May next, even if there is no difficulty

contd:-
  
  


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