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).
The 20 HP Chassis, addressing suggestions, body quality, and weight limitations.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 5\2\ 02-page254 | |
| Date | 21th April 1928 | |
| To Nor. from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} To LBH{Mr Hall - Aero Design Engineer} from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} To PH from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} To H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} To Bl. from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} To PZ from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} To B. from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} To W from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} x5830 re 20 HP Chassis. Referring to R1/HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}4.10, from a memo. received from HP it appears as if some of the suggestions made by H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} therein were being taken as definite instructions. Such, however, is not the case. H's memo. made certain suggestions and recommendations to the Board and the Administration, all of which were dealt with in a memo. by me to the Board, which memo. was approved and copy sent to H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} Dealing with the question of bodies, it was pointed out that it was incorrect to say that Sales had attempted to fit low quality bodies, and it was explained that from the start we had gone to considerable trouble to standardise certain types of Barker and Hooper bodies and to purchase them in batch quantities so as to bring the price down to a reasonable figure, and that our catalogues of 20's had illustrated nothing but the best quality bodies. Whatever cheap bodies have been fitted are those which have been beyond our control and have never been recommended by us. With regard to weights it was pointed out that, when the 20 was first introduced, we went to great lengths to limit body weights to 8 cwt. for the entire coachwork. At that date this was reasonably feasible because covered bodies were then saleable with both front seats. Fashion, however, changed, and for many years it has been impossible to sell a car with a body of this type. The enclosed type of front seat on all limousines, cabriolets, landaulets etc. rendered it impracticable to adhere to the maximum weight referred to. There has also been a general demand for Triplex glass for safety purposes which again necessarily increases weights. | ||