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).
Procedures and responsibilities with coachbuilder Park Ward for Spectre car bodies.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 92\1\ scan0108 | |
| Date | 3rd March 1935 | |
| SECRET. +304 S/W...Er. c. to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} Ms. C11/CS.3.35 Re SPECTRECodename for Phantom III BODIES. With reference to your E4/HP27.2.35 we are pleased to note you have visited Park Wards and discussed with them proposed experimental improvements. We have spoken to Messrs. Park,Ward who advise us that they had not previously discussed this matter of joint responsibility for a body, but they are quite willing, provided they are given an opportunity of approving of any specification and any technical modifications that may be made during the course of construction. They also lay great stress upon the necessity of:- (1) Seeing the chassis for which the body is to be built. (2) Mounting the body themselves on to the chassis, either at their Works or our Works. (3) Having an opportunity after the car has covered 1,000 miles or so of going over the coachwork and tightening down the bolts, adjusting the doors, etc., as they are in the habit of doing with privately owned cars. So far as we are concerned, of course, this is what we would like as it is co-operation between Coachbuilders and the Works which will give us the best results. To take SpectreCodename for Phantom III 3, we note that the Coachbuilders have approved of the specification contained in EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}1/MN3.1.35 and that there is no feature included which is without the Coachbuilders consent. They do not appear to have the specification in writing, and we think you will agree that it is essential that they should have the whole specification and that you should receive from them a letter approving of it. I think you will find as it is now they are rather expecting that you will be taking full responsibility for the body, and if we are going to alter the methods, then it is necessary to have these details all agreed. You mention that the specification has been approved by Sales and Works. So far as Sales are concerned, the views of the CSC were sent to you with Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}3/H10.1.35, and we have heard nothing since then. | ||