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).
Sub-frames, spare wheels, and chassis blueprints for the L.A.P. II Chassis project.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 14\8\ Scan274 | |
| Date | 2nd September 1930 | |
| HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} X7380 To BY from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Copy to Es. Wer. re L.A.P.II Chassis Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}28/E2.9.30 On my return I have received BY3/G21.8.30. The position in regard to sub-frames is that you will doubtless recollect on my return from America I asked you to help me in drafting a letter to write to the American Company on this subject, and I attach copy of my letter to Mr.Beaver of the 3rd July. I also attach copy of his reply of July 14th. I have supplied Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} with copies of both these with the suggestion that, when he goes out to America with the experimental car, he should raise the matter and ascertain exactly what they are doing, i.e. endeavour to satisfy himself that the result of what they are doing will be satisfactory and, if not, use his persuasive powers to make them have our standard sub-frame. Meanwhile as the contract does not call for sub-frames, we must not proceed with their manufacture, that is to say, the chassis should be built with the six sub-frame brackets in position on the frame but without the sub-frame. With regard to the paragraph wherein you point out that all our testing has been done with sub-frames and, therefore, it is difficult for us to take responsibility for the behaviour of the car without the sub-frame, it is now several months since I pointed this out to all concerned and asked Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} to make tests with the subframe out of action, but I do not remember ever hearing the result. Re Spare wheels - I note your remarks under this heading and it is quite clear from the contract that they are to have the one spare wheel with the standard rear wheel carrier and without luggage grid. I note that Oy. before returning to America was considering that they might want a side spare wheel carrier and doubtless we shall hear from him in due course in regard to this. re Chassis blue prints you will recollect that Oy. kept asking for these and I held him off and told him that I thought it was useless our supplying them until the 10,000 mile car had completed its tests and until we had seen the second experimental car and approved of the alterations to bonnet and radiator. | ||