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).
Letter to C.W. Ward of Park Ward & Co. regarding delays on the 'Ripplet' car and a new all-steel body project.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 117\3\ scan0199 | |
| Date | 17th November 1940 | |
| 1021 RM{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}1/Dn. 17th November 1 9 4 0. C. W. Ward, Esq., Messrs Park Ward & CO., Ltd, 473, High Road, Willesden, L O N D O N. N.W.10. Dear Ward, It is now more than a month ago since you promised to let me have the Ripplet within a few days. We need this car badly to refer to for appearance. When can we send for it? We have now nearly finished the drawing of one of the new bodies. The last time I saw you, you said you thought you would be able to get it me in steel without difficulty. From what has happened on the Ripplet, however, I gather that you will have no time or capacity at all to devote to this work. Under the circumstances, I have made some enquiries and have found another body-building concern, who have both the material and the labour to produce a body for us, and are very enthusiastic about getting the job. Before I put the matter up to "Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}", however, I would like your confirmation that you feel that for the duration of the war, at any rate, you will not be able to do any work for us. Although you might express the opinion that you would ultimately be able to make this all-steel body for us, I would not feel optimistic unless, at the same time, you allocate a certain number of men who would continuously work on the project. We have to do this in Derby in order to ensure that this job will not get squeezed out by war work. Incidentally, we have the necessary sheet steel. Yours sincerely, | ||