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).
Communications regarding the suitability of chassis 129 GN for use as a Trials Car.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 18\3\ Scan136 | |
| Date | 9th August 1930 | |
| x7960 Wex (crossed out) C. FN. (crossed out) C. Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} (crossed out) C. D.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} (crossed out) Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}1/FM. 9.8.30. Re. 129 GN. London Trials. With reference to your FG3/H.8.8.30. and Sales memo. PN{Mr Northey}1/WT.8.8.30. We are surprised to receive PN{Mr Northey}'s memo as our understanding was "not to be used as trials" in fact acceptance of this chassis while on test was delayed until it had been made clear that it was not to be used as a trials car, (confirmed by Mx{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer}). Even after delivery the following memo. was received by us:- Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} D/BP19/OG2.6.30., A further enquiry has been received in regard to utilising chassis 129-GN as a Trial Car; extract of Cx{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager}/Hn{F. C. Honeyman - Retail orders}19/ED{J. L. Edwards}1/30.5.30 is given below:- "Now as regards 129-GN, we had in mind using this car for demonstration purposes on the continent. Then we abandoned the idea of taking a new car for this purpose and decided to complete 129-GN for stock. Now, when we want another London Trials car, we should like to be able to use 129-GN because it can be ready in about six weeks' time, whereas to commence another car right from the start would take 14 weeks. Therefore, we should like to know whether, whilst 129-GN was being tested, it was considered capable of being made good enough for us to use ourselves as a Trials Car". We shall be glad to have the remarks of 'Mx{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer}' and 'EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}' in regard to this chassis. To which I replied as follows - D/BP. c.MX.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}3/H.3.6.30. With reference to your memo. D/BP/19/OG2.6.30. At the time this chassis was on test, it was named as a Riviera replacement. This term did not convey definitely to us for what purpose the car was required, and we took the matter up whilst the chassis was on test. We were then informed definitely that it would not be required for Trials purposes and it was passed through as an ordinary standard chassis. As a matter of fact, from our chassis tests, we do not consider this up to be up to Trials standard. However, if London have decided to use this for Trials purposes, we suggest it should be got ready as quickly as possible with a body and arrangements made for me to try it at the earliest as a complete car. Cont'd.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} | ||