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).
Chassis complexity, component simplification, and cost reduction efforts across different models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 148\5\ scan0390 | |
| Date | 28th July 1938 | |
| To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}2/MH.{M. Huckerby}28.7.38. NUMBER OF PIECES IN R.R. CHASSIS. We are sending you herewith a photograph of the Wraith front suspension compared with that on the B.III. The B.III and B.50 front suspension have not appreciably more parts in them than the Packard. We are also sending you photographs of the Jaguar gearbox section compared with a similar section on 'M' series Bentley. We think it is fair to point out that the policy in the past of having two chassis like the Wraith and Phantom III, which have almost no pieces in common, has meant an enormous amount of design work, so that little or no time has been available to simplify components. Again, though multiplicity of parts will increase the cost of the chassis, we do not think that the complication of our design has ever justified the fact that we cannot produce cars at the price at which they are sold and yet make a profit. Briefly, after careful analysis we have come to the conclusion that the complication in design which we have had in the past may have accounted for 40% of the difference between the cost of our chassis and those of the average car, but manufacturing costs and excessive prices paid for parts fabricated outside, have accounted for the other 60%. We attach a copy of Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}1/R.24.11.37 which shows why we make this statement. If we take the present Bentley, it would be difficult to imagine anything simpler than the frame (which incidentally is far too flexible) and the conventional front axle. The corresponding B.III parts are better, but certainly more complicated. We have tackled the other three main sections, the engine, gearbox and axle, and have gone very close to Morris practice in simplification. The basis cost reductions achieved by our own Cost Office figures are:- Engine....... About 20% Gearbox...... About 25% Axle......... About 10% if hubs included. | ||