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).
Prohibitive cost of aluminium alloy wheel rims compared to the usual steel rims.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 159\7\ scan0155 | |
| Date | 30th July 1934 | |
| 4421 Roy {Sir Henry Royce} [crossed out] E. {Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} BY.22/N.30.7.34. Referring to Roy {Sir Henry Royce} 5/MG.23.7.34, and copy of letter received from Rudge Whitworth, relating to wheels with aluminium alloy rims in place of the usual steel rims, when this matter was discussed with Mr Hack, he pointed out that probably the cost would be prohibitive, except for special racing wheels, and in order to get this confirmed, we wrote to him asking for the price of wheels fitted with aluminium alloy rims, and he informed us that there would be an increase in price of between £2 and £3 per wheel plus 33 1/3% duty for odd sets of wheels. Providing quantities of a 100 or more were ordered, he considered the price would be approximately £2 plus the 33 1/3% duty. I think it will be agreed that the price would be prohibitive for anything but special,racing wheels. BY. {R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} | ||