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).
Internal report to Mr. Johnson regarding the quality and progress of various coachbuilders' work.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 74\1\ scan0052 | |
| Date | 29th August 1911 | |
| R.R. 199 (25H) (F 984 6.12 10) E.P. 8054. Mr. Johnson. 29th August 1911. -4- THRUPP & MABERLY. This Firm seems to have been showing slight improvement lately as regards design and in reducing weight. They have, and always have had particularly good workmen, a num-ber of whom have been for years with the Firm. Both Thrupp, Hooper & Mulliner have management. Of the other London coachbuilders I have little to report, they none of them inspire me with much confidence. I may say the same for the provincial work I have seen which is good, but reminds me of the difference between the Manchester cut of a pair of trousers and say Poole's, London. Mulliner of Northampton of course turns out excellent work, but then they are most tiresome people to deal with. DURBAR CARS. These are all now built and pain-ted and are being mounted on the chassis. None are yet trimmed or varnished. Mr. Oldham has carefully measured all and also he has checked the drawings, and so far the whole fleet of eight are almost similar. Mr. Oldham reports to us that in his opinion Barkers, Hoopers and Thrupp & Maberly are the best. The two Mulliners have not quite come up to the others, either as regards material or work-manship, but there is not much in it. I shall be better able to judge when the cars are more advan-ced. There is no doubt that all Coachbuilders have taken a great deal of trouble over the con-struction. I was wondering whether you would like to exhibit them to the Press when complete and if there is time before packing up. OLYMPIA. I think you will be pleased with the Show bodies for Olympia, and that they show some novelty in design and detail. | ||