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).
Private internal memo regarding the sourcing of a new sports body for the 'Stork' chassis and the necessary confidentiality required with coachbuilders.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 183\M22\ img256 | |
| Date | 23th January 1923 | |
| SPORTS BODY-STORK Private. To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from BJ. Copy to IHS. EJ1/H23.1.23. BODY FOR STORK CHASSIS. 1. It seems very necessary that in getting any body built by a coachbuilder for any future chassis, we should only send them prints of our present long 40/50 h.p. chassis, even though we may have to alter slightly the prints in ink, and explain to them that it is for the requirements of a special customer. I do not want to send any print to them marked 'Stork', or anything which might indicate that we were bringing out another kind of chassis. I quite agree with your suggestion that we should send the body to Derby to be mounted on the chassis. * [Start of crossed-out section] 2. I do not clearly understand why it is necessary to build a special sporting body for the 'Stork' chassis. Can you please let me know. 3. I understand that you will require in about two months a covered body for testing the 'Stork' chassis or 'Heron' chassis. Will this body only be suitable for testing those particular chassis - that is to say, will it be unsuitable for the 'Seagull' or for the long 40/50 h.p. chassis? I understand also that you wish to have this body made rather better than our ordinary testing bodies, as R.{Sir Henry Royce} will be using it. [End of crossed-out section] I am requesting the Body-building Department to obtain estimates for the sports body in accordance with the prints you have sent, and for the covered body for testing, as mentioned above. Also that the coachbuilders shall supply a print giving the main dimensions before starting on the work. 4. If anyone sees the coachbuilders, they must be exceedingly careful not to give the coachbuilders the least hint that these bodies are required for any chassis other than our ordinary long 40/50 h.p. chassis or that we are about to produce any other kind of chassis. Doubtless you will make this matter very clear to Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}, should he be visiting the coachbuilders. B.J. PS. I understand that the design you have sent is only intended for experimental purposes, and that R.{Sir Henry Royce} requires it specially built for his requirements in accordance with the West WitteringHenry Royce's home town designs sent to us. Should Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} or anyone visit coachbuilders concerning this body, they will of course [Handwritten notes in margin:] [Next to paragraph 2:] BJ SAYS 'WHY?' [Next to paragraph 4:] BJ *REPEATS HIMSELF | ||