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).
Secret memo discussing the design and construction of an armoured car body, suggesting sourcing parts from Vickers.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 73\2\ scan0027 | |
| Date | 4th October 1923 | |
| BJ. from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} S E C R E T x9940 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}5/LG4.10.23. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} A.{Mr Adams} C. x 9940 x9840 Referring to your BJ11/H3.10.23. I have consulted Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} and BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} with reference to Armoured Car Bodies in connection with the above. It was agreed that for the car to be recognised as an Armoured car it will be necessary for the body to follow closely the usual armoured car type. This means it should have a turret and visor. As it will be a very conspicuous car on the road and will therefore be scrutinized it is necessary it should be a fair replica of an Armoured Car. It would take some time for us to produce the necessary designs for such a body. We therefore suggest that as Messrs. Vickers have made Armoured car Bodies for our chassis and have all the necessary designs, that we approach them with the idea of getting them to supply us with 2 sets of parts and for the bodies to be assembled at our Works. It would not be necessary for us to have actual armour-plating - we should also not require the metal plates to be the usual thickness because of the excessive weight. We should like to know as soon as possible whether you are in agreement to our trying to obtain the necessary parts from Messrs. Vickers. The armoured car chassis we have supplied have been fitted with disc wheels. We have no designs of brakes for disc wheels - our designs are for wire wheels only. contd:- | ||