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 from coachbuilders Hooper & Co. providing feedback on instrument panel design and discussing a new Mercedes.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 128\1\ scan0350 | |
| Date | 23th June 1938 | |
| 1104 HOOPER & CO. (COACHBUILDERS) LTD. AGENTS FOR ALL MAKES OF CARS SPECIALISTS IN ROLLS-ROYCE, DAIMLER & BENTLEY HEAD OFFICES & SHOWROOMS:- 54, ST.JAMES'S STREET, PICCADILLY, LONDON, S.W.1. TELEPHONE: REGENT 3242. TELEGRAMS: SOCIABLE, LONDON. BY APPOINTMENT MOTOR BODY BUILDERS TO HIS MAJESTY THE KING. HER MAJESTY QUEEN MARY. H.R.H. THE DUKE OF WINDSOR. H.R.H. THE DUKE OF KENT. H.R.H. THE PRINCESS ROYAL. H.R.H. THE DUKE OF CONNAUGHT. COACHBUILDERS TO THE ROYAL FAMILY CONTINUOUSLY FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY BY APPOINTMENT NEW WORKS: WESTERN AVENUE, ACTON, W.3. ADJOINING PARK ROYAL UNDERGROUND STN. TELEPHONE: ACORN 0137. REPAIR WORKS: 77, KINGS ROAD, CHELSEA, S.W.3. TELEPHONE: FLAXMAN 8721. YOUR REFERENCE................ OUR REFERENCE... FLM/ES. 23rd June, 1938. W.H.Robotham, Esq., Experimental Dept., Rolls-Royce Ltd., Derby. Dear Mr.Robotham, Very nice to see you again yesterday as you have almost become a complete stranger and I hope that the joint mighty brains of Grylls and yourself were able to scrounge some small knowledge from your trial run even if it were only to make instruments which can be read at night. Seriously though, I do think it is a pity that the instrument board lay-out on all the Rolls-Royce productions are so inadequately illuminated and so far from being decorative. Whilst I appreciate that many of the Americans are overdoing it they certainly show originality and the instruments are readable. It becomes quite an expensive item for your Agents to supply magnifying glasses with each car so that the instruments can be discerned at night. However, I hope to see you soon. By the way have you heard anything about the new Super Super Long Chassis Mercedes? The one showing in Berlin was, I believe, a similar chassis to the original 12 cylinder Lagonda showing at Olympia, but a friend of mine who tried what is probably the only existing car at the Mercedes factory thinks it is pretty marvellous so when the first one arrives in England I have arranged a trial. Let me know if it would also interest you to come. Best regards to you and Grylls, Yours sincerely, F.L.Manning | ||