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).
Conference minutes discussing production schedules and disagreements between Derby and U.S.A. works regarding Mr. Belnap's letter.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 18\6\ Scan182 | |
| Date | 18th January 1920 | |
| The Conference met today to discuss Mr.Belnap's letter dated Sept.18th.1920 to Mr.Claude Johnson referring to Minutes passed by Derby Conference on August 27th. and 30th.1920. In Mr.Belnap's letter he states he, on Jan.31st. wrote giving us information as follows - " It has been necessary to work to some program. With " the above facts, we could start some production by " the second week in June; start assembling by the " first week in September; the first chassis on test " the third week in October." Mr.Belnap does not say to whom this letter was addressed. We at the Works can find no trace of it, nor have we any trace of the print prepared by Mr.Nadin in July 1919. Everyone at the Works were under the impression that the first cars at Springfield would be completed about Nov.1921, until unofficially they heard from Mr.Asim that the first cars would be produced in Jan.1921. Works then heard of [May - crossed out] by that cars would be produced by Nov. and that certain articles as mentioned in the minutes of Aug.27th. and 30th. must be produced by Derby Works. The Works Committee at once met, and although it affected Derby output, agreed to send these articles out to U.S.A. at a specified rate, which has not only been adhered to, but at present moment Derby works are ahead of their schedule promises. The Committee feel that even if they had had knowledge of Mr.Belnap's letter of 31.Jan. it would not have affected the situation quite as much as would appear at first sight. Derby Conference think that the chief cause of trouble was U.S.A. wishing to put other devices on their cars than we do at Derby. Just to give a few examples of this - Btn.1/D18.1.20. Possibility of fitting Bosch type Starter and Lighting sets. | ||