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).
Repairs and testing for the 'Corniche' following an accident, and plans for other test vehicles.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 109\4\ scan0207 | |
| Date | 11th August 1939 | |
| 666a & 4009 Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/IMW.{Ivan M. Waller - Head of Chateauroux} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} France. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}4/R.11.8.39. We have decided that it will be impossible to get the 'Corniche' back on the road in time to do much running on it before the Paris Salon. For this reason, while we must do everything we can to put the chassis right, we do not want to worry Van Voorens with the body unless they can tackle it without interfering with the 4 cars they are preparing for exhibition. With regard to the other running at Chateauroux, will you please send Rose back as soon as he is well enough to travel, also the fitter when you have finished with him. Will you continue running daily mileage on 30.G.VII until 28,500 has been completed. We should then like a brief examination made of the engine unit and other parts of the car before it is handed to Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} for his proof test. If 3.B.50 is not ready by then, we propose giving your people a break and letting you come back to get the 'low-down' on 3.B.50. We are not proposing to send the 'Ripple' over to France, but to run it in England. We deplore the fact that the accident to the 'Corniche' was caused by the negligence of the driver. As you know, we have repeatedly written deprecating the use of excessive speed on these tests. We think that one of your first concerns should be to make a point of going out with each driver at reasonably short intervals and ensuring that he is driving in a satisfactory manner, and not taking chances. The 'Corniche' was, of course, quite irreplaceable and the accident could not have happened at a more inopportune moment. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||