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).
Correspondence regarding the assessment and proposed repair of a damaged demonstration car chassis (3.DL.58) following an accident.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 153\1\ scan0262 | |
| Date | 17th April 1939 | |
| F.J.H. 1300. To Rolls-Royce Ltd. Derby Copy to Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Derby Mr Ha. D/BP. Handwritten note: Should like to see steering parts Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} AH Levallois Sr/VA.I/ET.17.4.39. Re: CHASSIS 3.DL.58 DEMONSTRATION CAR. With reference to Sr.'s memo to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}, reference Sr7/ET. 5.4.39, a copy of which has been sent to you by Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}, we have also, as mentioned in our VA8/ET.12.4.39, sent you at Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer}'s request, the steering box, supporting sleeve of same and the pendulum lever. As soon as these parts have been examined and in case they should be considered fit for further service, kindly arrange to have them returned to us by air mail and as soon/as possible. Should they not be considered fit for further use, we should like to be in possession of corresponding replacement parts as quickly as possible, in order that we can repair the steering. We should mention, however, that we had already ordered a pendulum lever, and this part arrived this morning. The body, which was rather badly damaged especially at the rear, has been removed and we have now tracked up the chassis frame and, in this connection, we attach 3 frame alignment charts, from which it will be observed that the frame is unfortunately badly out of alignment over its whole length. We shall be glad to have your opinion concerning the frame, because we think that, owing to its design and rigidity, we cannot undertake to repair and straighten it up at Rue Gide. As we wish to put the car into service again as quickly as possible, especially in view of the fact that it is ours and the Continental Demonstration car, we think the best plan will be for it to be sent to the Works by road, because it would be a long job to dismantle the chassis and send the frame to the Works for the necessary repairs. As the car received a very hard blow (from the other car involved in the accident), especially at the rear before it (3.DL.58 turned over on the road on its left hand side, other parts of the chassis, especially the front wheel independant suspension and the rear axle may also, to a certain extent, be out of alignment, although externally and without the car being dismantled, the front axle does not appear to have suffered. If you should agree to the chassis being sent to the Works for repairs, we will at once, on receipt of your reply, take up the matter with the Insurance Company concerned and point out to them the contents of your reply, because it is fairly certain that they may crib at the expense that would be involved. Sr/VA. | ||