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 memo regarding the production schedule and challenges of the 'W' Series body subframe, proposing the use of a modified 40/50 chassis.
| Identifier | Morton\M3.2\ img001 | |
| Date | 1st March 1925 | |
| TO HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} FROM DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} S E C R E T. DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}3/M3.1.25. Copy to C.G. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} A.{Mr Adams} C. 2. 'W' SERIES - BODY SUBFRAME. Handwritten: V8380 (crossed out), V8830 We thank you for your HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}3/LG1125, and note that you hope to have the underframe at the Works by Jan. 5, in which case we would expect the body to be complet-ed{J. L. Edwards} in from 6 to 8 weeks. If we are unable to have a chassis it will be impossible to make the wings and val-ances. To supply a dummy main frame and take the body away in a lorry would only double the present suspicion which is only too rife in every quarter, and we still strongly favour the suggestion that a 40/50 chassis be fitted with a wider dash and modified gearbox. This chassis could be sent to the coachbuilders enabling the wings etc to be properly fitted and finished, and the whole car completely painted. Since we have 3 or more bodies to buy for 'W' series chassis this special chas-sis would be extremely useful. A chassis with no engine somewhat confirms the rumour of a new engine but a chassis that fits the old engine would dispel any doubt. C. suggests that he lends 9-PK. to you. This is now in HM{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs}'s hands, and it could be arranged for HM.{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} to do the work on the bonnet and dashboard if you could supply the gearbox and levers. It will be realised that this is the first body to be built on an underframe for the 40/50 chassis and in consequence we may encounter difficulties. Moreover we do not wish to rush the coachbuilders on this pioneer work for fear of prejudicing the future of the underframe. We are therefore opposed to any excessive pressure being put upon the coachbuilders, and suggest that if you want to get a 'W' series chassis on the road immediately, that you should use any old body that is available for the time being. The coachbuilders have been ready and prepared to go ahead with this work, giving it precedence over everything else, for the last 3 weeks or more, but the underframe did not arrive when promised. DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} | ||