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).
Preparation and testing philosophy for the 10,000-mile test of 40/50 and 20/25 HP cars.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 148\5\ scan0056 | |
| Date | 8th March 1934 | |
| To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} From Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} 8399 Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}10/KW. 8.3.34. 10,000 Miles Test - 40/50 & 20/25 HP. Replying to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}5/E.7.3.34. and Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}6/E.7.3.34. 40/50 HP. Car 28-EX. I have sent Hancock to Park Wards to-day, with the idea of trying to get the complete car out of their hands as soon as possible. I am hoping we shall get it this week. When we have received it from Park Wards we shall require it for 4 or 5 days before it can leave for France. As regards the 20/25, 21-G-IV, we are hoping to have the Experimental Chassis complete with all new parts in 14 days time. We then have to fit the body. I should anticipate it will be at least a month's time before the car is finished. If it was not for the fact that we are at present seeking a life of peace, we should fight the present procedure of instructing these cars for 10,000 miles test. We are going head first into the same position as we did on the aero engine, and that is, the Design are mucking about with things that do not matter. We hold the view that the Design people are the last people to say what is to go on the cars. We are gradually losing sight of the primary object of the 10,000 miles test in France. The object is to put on a Car parts which have been proved satisfactory and which have been proved satisfactory by experimental test, and send them away from the Works so that we get an unbiassed test of the value of the parts under severe conditions. We are getting into the habit now of crowding parts on to the car which have never been tried, with the pious hope that they are going to be satisfactory. It's all wrong. I consider that on our Motor Cars we have always kept them well up to date with the minimum delay, and that we have been able to discriminate between the parts which matter and those which are a re-arrangement of parts. In the past By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} and ourselves handled this matter entirely, and the car Designers were relieved of this work. | ||