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).
Material cost savings and the production status of various prototype chassis.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 148\2\ scan0034 | |
| Date | 8th November 1938 | |
| -2- of bought out fabricated and unfabricated material has been accurately ascertained for B.50 and when compared with that of Wraith on the same basis, shows a saving of at least £90 per car or 32%. Even with the existing Wraith factory labour cost, this means that B.V. and Wraith Replacement should be able to be sold at a very handsome profit if their present prices are maintained. (3) EXP. PRODUCTION OF PROTOTYPES. The manufacturing position in the Exp. Dept. with regard to the three types of chassis is as follows;- B.V. 7-B-V.{VIENNA} - Completed but obsolete. 8-B-V - Completed, being stripped after 15,000 miles' test. 9-B-V - Chassis completed Nov.1st. Body promised Dec.12th. 10-B-V - Fully instructed. Body will not be ready until after Xmas. B.50. 1-B-50 - Completed but obsolete. 2-B-50 - Chassis completed by Dec.1st. Body promised Dec.12th. 3-B-50 - Fully instructed. SILVER WRAITH. WRAITH 80 - Fully instructed. Chassis will be completed by Xmas. It will, therefore, be seen that the three prototype chassis are fully instructed, and should all be completed by Xmas. However, none of these chassis incorporate the new range of 6-cyl. and 8-cyl. cast iron engines though the 6 is ready to be fitted in a car and the first eight will be completed by Xmas. In order to avoid interfering with prototypes, we are fitting the 6-cyl. cast iron unit into a Wraith to get a figure of merit for it until we have a B.III chassis available. | ||