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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).
The unsuitability of a standard Hooper Saloon body for a 10,000-mile test on a Goshawk chassis.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 58\1\  Scan153
Date  14th July 1926
  
HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} XS900
to Bg from EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}
copy to HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}
EV{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}1/14.7.26.
RECEIVED Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} 15 JUL 1926

RE GOSHAWK. No.1644.

We thank you for your Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}16/BM/9.7.26.

From our conversation on the phone we gather that this chassis, which is about to be delivered with a standard Hooper Saloon body, was originally intended for a Prodution Test, but is now handed over to the Expl. Dept. to be fitted with certain new features and is then todo a 10,000 miles test.

As you are aware "R" makes us responsible for all such bodies, and when they come to W.W. they are severely criticised.

In the past we have taken obsolete stock bodies for such purposes in order to speed up the trial, and in every case we have not been allowed this excuse by "R" when he has seen the body.

This body in question we fear will not be liked for the following reasons, although we realise that it is a popular sales proposition.

(1) It is a Saloon with a metal roof, and as such will be considered top heavy and liable to roll on corners. See criticisms of Maythorn Saloon 7.GII.
(2) It has bucket seats which slide.
(3) It will be considered to be 2.000ins. over the max. length for a 4 seater.
(4) According to our latest instructions the rear seat should be the same height as the front one.
(5) The overall width will be considered too great.
(6) The body ironing will not be to our latest instructions especially with respect to the jelleying of the scuttle.

Mr Royce instructs us to ask HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} to say what are the features for which we are running this test, and what are their urgency?

At the present moment we are unable to agree to accept responsibility for this body over which we have had no control and "R" agrees. Information from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} may enable us to alter the situation.

EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}
  
  


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