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).
Car body suppliers and production strategies for the 'Phoenix' programme.
Identifier | ExFiles\Box 111\1\ scan0003 | |
Date | 13th July 1937 | |
-2- When he buys complete body shells he finds that the Manufacturers have often done brutal things in order to get doors to fit, the result being that the windscreen, or, alternatively, the luggage carrier, are distorted. His view is that trimming and painting is all right if you get the right man to run the job, but that they are not easily obtained. He suggested that one solution would be to supply the chassis and body complete in the white, and let customers have them trimmed and painted to their fancy. We think that if the price has got to be right we should have to have a standard trim available. Wilks is not altogether enthusiastic about Briggs Motor Bodies Ltd. He considers that Fisher & Ludlow would do a much better job, providing we could help them on the engineering side, but they do not know much about engineering bodies. The Press steel Corporation, on the other hand, have a great store of knowledge on body engineering, but they are more interested in mass produced cars than in making a few of better quality. It should be generally appreciated that Phoenix is a Bentley III with a different engine and gearbox. In other words, that by Christmas we shall have a number of chassis running about upon which the Phoenix body could be tested. Also that in 12 months' time we ought to have the Phoenix car complete. Body dies take about nine months to produce. It is, therefore, time that we gave consideration to the Phoenix body programme so that some recommendations can be put up to the Administration with regard to source of supply and facilities for production. So far we have approached the Briggs Body people only. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||