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).
Supply capabilities and challenges for various automotive components for American production.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 18\6\ Scan169 | |
| Date | 30th August 1920 guessed | |
| -2- on Nov.6th. If we had known this earlier we should have been even more insistent that no departure from the present standard chassis within the time available was possible, and we now feel that it is clear that if we had given way on this main issue that we would only have helped America to run into difficulties. (2) In regard to the material referred to in the cables quoted above, Derby possibilities are as follows:- (a) Front Springs. 60 pairs of front springs can be despatched from Derby during the month of September. (b) Rear Springs. It is only possible, under the conditions of the time limit forced upon us by the change in American production programme, that America use the standard spring at present in use at Derby, that is to say, the design having a small number of thick leaves with sheared ends. Derby will despatch 60 pairs of rear springs in two batches of 30 pairs each, by the end of September. We are hoping towards the end of November we shall be in a position to supply the pre-war type of spring with thin leaves; this alteration has been agreed to. (c) Magnetos. We would propose to despatch 70 Watford Magnetos from stock. These we would be able to pack and despatch by the end of this week. (d) Dynamos. The time limit determines the fact that the dynamo must be a Lucas dynamo exactly as being used by Derby at the moment. We have had great trouble at Derby to obtain a sufficient supply for output, but we have just managed to get straight on this issue and are prepared to supply 10 dynamos out of stock, with 10 more each fortnight as soon as we can arrange to pack and ship same, but this proposal may possibly only be able to be put into practice by entailing a reduction of output from 40 chassis per week to 35 at Derby. Mr.Whitehead has already urged Messrs Lucas to increase their output to 55 sets per week as quickly as possible, but they have replied they cannot suddenly expand their manufacture and in consequence America will have to be supplied at the expense of Derby. The reason why 55 dynamos per week were called for by Wd.{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead} is, that we require this number to obtain sufficient to meet American and Derby requirements, as a number are turned down during inspection and returned to Messrs Lucas as too noisy for use. (e) Switchbox and Cut-out. This again will necessarily have to be the standard Lucas equipment. Derby will experience no trouble in supplying these in sufficient numbers to correspond with the dynamos referred to above. | ||