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).
Building of experimental 'Spectre' bodies, suggesting coachbuilders learn from Cadillac designs.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 92\1\ scan0058 | |
| Date | 23th January 1935 | |
| Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} C1/C23.1.35 -2- Body No.3. This is only partly built, but we shall not be able to evade our share of responsibility, inasmuch as the Coachbuilders have been building to blue prints of body construction supplied by "W". We certainly think that the Coachbuilders should be given an opportunity of building and mounting "SpectreCodename for Phantom III" bodies similar to those we have already put in hand, entirely to their own design, namely the Limousines and Saloons, so that they may embody anything they have learned from the Cadillac and their own experience. You will then be able to try them out against those R-R have been responsible for. We should like three of the leading Coachbuilders to make one each of these particular bodies, viz. Park,Ward., Barkers, and Hoopers. All the foregoing, of course, deals with experimental bodies which for some years past "W" have controlled the production of; so that in future bodies which you control you will be able to embody some lessons that you may possibly have learned from your own experimental bodies and the Cadillac body. I mention this because at the end of your third paragraph you say you would not be able to embody results because you have no control over coachwork. As it is clear that the Coachbuilders do actually build experimental bodies entirely to your instructions, you really have the control and can embody what you consider right. C. | ||