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).
Production and experimental testing of an improved 25 HP car, designated J.3.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 123\4\ scan0083 | |
| Date | 9th September 1932 | |
| To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. Rv. Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} 25 HP. CAR. In view of the decision which was made the other day to go ahead with J.3 with the modified bore as the future improved 25 HP., it will be necessary for us to put in hand some more experimental cars. As it will be essential that it must not be known that we are producing an improved 25 HP. car it would not be wise to have many of these cars about. Our recommendation is that we produce one more complete car (we already have the body for this at Derby), and a bump chassis. Fortunately, when J.3 is fitted with a complete body it is impossible to distinguish it from the present standard 25 HP car. The present instructions in the Exptl. Dept. as regards J.3. are that on no account must the car be left standing in any public place or anywhere except on country lanes with no-one about. The other point is that the bonnet must never be lifted outside the works. We do not foresee any difficulty in preventing this car being seen and recognised as an improved 25 HP. When we get further on with the development of the car and overcome most of the troubles it will then be necessary to put some more of these cars in hand in order to get further experience before we embark on full production. This, however, we consider can wait. We should like your agreement at the moment that we can complete one more J.3 car and go ahead with a bump chassis. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||