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).
Arguing against the purchase of a 2-litre Alfa Romeo to instead focus on improving the 20HP model.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\T\March1929-December1929\ Scan248 | |
| Date | 8th November 1929 | |
| HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} C to SG{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} " WDR. " RG.{Mr Rowledge} " BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} re. ALPHA ROMEO. I do not consider we ought to spend £900 in purchasing the 2 litre car, of any make at the moment. Why? Because we have so much to do that we know is good, and are not stopped for ideas. You will remember that we cannot get along quickly enough with the things already instructed from WW., so we must settle down to some real work until we begin to get slowed up for want of ideas, or difficulties which we do not understand. It took me 2 yrs. to get vertical shutters on the 20HP. so as not to look like an Essex, but when we had made the improvements the Essex was already there. It has taken several years to get 3"/length extra of frame for the 20HP. to avoid short stumpy scuttles and high seats and steering - still not available. We have brake problems that require experimental explanation which has taken too long. We are suffering from too little maximum HP. for the 20HR., parts for which you have had for over a year, (now moving by pressure from WW. and London.) A great deal of work is done at WW. which produces no results. Either we are stupid, or you have not the capacity I imagined. It should be realised that parts should not be instructed by the Exp. Testing Dept. unless referred to those responsible for the design - i.e. reports on the design should be sent to the designer with suggestions for curing any faults found - because we cannot afford the present way for time and money, and it crowds out other work. I want to get the work sent from here attended to promptly, or save the Company the WW. expense. Probably much improvement will result from specialising, and dividing the Exp. Dept. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||