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).
Letter from Dunlop Rubber Co. Ltd. discussing manufacturing difficulties and costs of Hiduminium rims following bumping tests.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 159\1\ scan0268 | |
| Date | 16th March 1937 | |
| 1370. DUNLOP RUBBER CO.,LTD. TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESS: "DUNLOPS, PHONE, BIRMINGHAM" TELEPHONE: ERDINGTON 2121 (P.B.X) EXTENSION No. 395. YOUR REF: Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gry{Shadwell Grylls}2/R.{Sir Henry Royce} OUR REF: HEP/BMT.211. FORT DUNLOP ERDINGTON BIRMINGHAM Messrs. Rolls-Royce Limited, DERBY. For the attention of S.H.Grylls, Esq. 16th. March, 1937. Dear Sirs, We thank you for your letter of the 11th and note with interest the results obtained on the Hiduminium rim from your bumping tests, and await your further comments following road tests. The question of supplies for normal production has received our very careful consideration, and we feel that at the moment there are very real difficulties which makes it undesirable to guarantee that such rims could be supplied in the quantities you require. Difficulty has been experienced in obtaining extruded section, and the special heat-treatment which is required could not be undertaken without additional plant. The cost of the rim material alone would be greater than the cost of the present wheel. Provided the manufacturing difficulties could be overcome, we feel that the cost of the wheel would be 3/4 times that of its prototype. Yours faithfully, FOR THE DUNLOP RUBBER CO.LTD., [Signature] Manager, Car Manfrs. Division. | ||