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).
Confidential memo outlining the policy on the development and testing of a high-speed 'SS' chassis.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 65a\1\ scan0359 | |
| Date | 17th May 1928 | |
| Confidential. H3 X7770 To Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} from HJ. Copy to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} "SS{S. Smith}" Chassis. BJ9/H17.5.28 With reference to the confidential memo. of the 2nd May reading as follows: "Our policy is quite definite that we do not wish our name in any way to be connected with a Sports chassis or a high speed chassis. If R.{Sir Henry Royce} and W. officials consider it essential to have a Sports body to test this chassis in order to obtain information which cannot be obtained with an ordinary body, of course this must be done, but any money spent in endeavouring to obtain high speeds with a view to making a high-speed RR for sale will be wasted. All we require is the most perfect luxury car - such as we have always produced in the past - with reasonable good power and speed, say up to 80 miles an hour with a touring body." Before I wrote this, there was some discussion as to whether it was desirable to make a chassis which would be more powerful or speedy than our future standard chassis, and whether it would be desirable to design or build a special type of body to put on such a chassis. I presume it is now clearly understood that no money must be spent on any such work without first obtaining direct permission from me, and that any such application should state: 1. What it is intended to make. 2. What it will cost. 3. Why it is necessary in the Company's interests. I suppose I am right in assuming that no chassis is being now prepared other than our future standard chassis for the use of ordinary customers with our ordinary heavy bodies for luxury purposes? BJ. | ||