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).
Policy on changing clutch plates for Phantom III and 25/30 HP models in response to chauffeur complaints.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 129\4\ scan0132 | |
| Date | 24th January 1938 | |
| To Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}... from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} file Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}12/N.24.1.38. A.R.C. 1110? Referring to your memo Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}1/R.19.1.38, the changing of clutch plates both on Phantom III and 25/30 HP. are not being changed as a matter of policy. In all cases these are justicable complaints. May be you are not aware that there are a good many cases where the chauffeur has the full confidence of the Owner, and through him a Rolls-Royce car is bought. Cricklewood are fully alive to these chauffeurs and deal with their complaints as if it were the Owner. In all such cases the Owner is aware of what the chauffeur complains of even if he does not understand the mechanism, and the case you mention Report No.N.419 - Mr C.F.Bernhard, chassis 3-BT{Capt. J. S. Burt - Engineer}-17 is one of these cases. With regard to 25/30 HP. many chauffeurs have remarked that they have with difficulty driven the car without shewing up the fierceness of the clutch to the Owner, and by getting the clutch put right, kept the Owner delighted with the car. By doing this Cricklewood have reported complaint by driver, and in so doing, prevented C. from writing an apology to the Owner, who as stated did not know the difficulty experienced by the driver. There are many aspects in dealing with complaints which you will admit. I can assure you that the changing of clutches is being carefully watched and I realize the heavy cost the Company is being put to. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} | ||