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).
Costs and potential reductions for B.V. bodies manufactured by Park Ward.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 117\2\ scan0172 | |
| Date | 15th January 1940 | |
| C O P Y. To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} BODY COSTS. It is more than probable that, whatever decision is taken regarding the fully pressed steel body, we shall have to rely on Park Ward's for the first 1,000 B.V. bodies. They will also make the coupes fitted to the B.V. chassis in any case and with the models available this should be a substantial order. We therefore consider it essential that someone at Park Ward's should be working continuously on costs in conjunction with Mr. Green and that the figures should be served up in a standard manner similar to those of the chassis so that everyone can understand them. This means that if the man is to be supplied by P.W. he must come to Derby and learn how the job should be done. If the programme of cost analysis which we visualise is carried out thoroughly, we consider that it will be a full time job for Mr. Green and this assistant, and that Mr. Ward will also have to be prepared to give it a considerable amount of his personal attention since he will have to make the bodies at the price established. The figures we consider essential are as follows:- (1) What is the cost of the B.V. body to the specification to which the 6 are now being made in quantities of ten per week. Tools used, those already bought. Other equipment as existing at Park Wards, Tool cost absorbed over 1,000 bodies. How does this compare with the cost of the last batch of B.II bodies made. (2) What reduction in the price coupd be brought about by accepting a material specification similar to that of the Rover or Jaguar. (3) What additional reduction could be achieved by using up to date painting and drying equipment, power driven hand tools and modern arc or spot welding tackle. (4) Could any further reductions be achieved by ignoring the limitations with regard to layout of the Park Ward factory | ||