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).
Supplier's (Barkers) body design, its excessive cost, and a criticism of the non-retractable hood.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 71\1\ scan0267 | |
| Date | 30th December 1926 | |
| XS830 To E.V. from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}1/T30.12.26. XS774+ We have received Barkers letter ref. HM{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs}/ERC. to you, together with the blueprint of their design. We are of the opinion that their charges are excessive considering that they will very certainly get a number of orders for bodies on these lines, and Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}, in conjunction with C., is endeavouring to effect some reduction. One point that we feel sure will produce adverse criticism is the fact that the hood has to be removed when down. The number of days which a hood may safely be left in the garage in this country are not numerous. Is it quite impossible to make the hood disappear as on the Lancia, or at least stow it in the tail? Surely Barkers have had previous experience with disappearing hoods and could construct something on their own which would meet the case. We feel that if we have to spend £300. on the car, we want it to be as satisfactory as possible. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||