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).
Internal memorandum discussing chassis and gearbox modifications for four-wheel brakes, and production schedule adjustments for the U.S.A. and 'V' Series models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 57\1\ Scan074 | |
| Date | 22th January 1925 | |
| SECRET. X5770 I To Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} from CJ. Copy to R.{Sir Henry Royce} Copy to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Copy to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Copy to WW. HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} CJ5/E22/1/25 Referring to the decisions come to at Villa Vita on the 15th, which were set out in my memo. of the 16th, CJ1/E16/1/25: U.S.A. X5770 It appears that the final U.S.A. is to have a new frame, new longer front springs, dumb irons, etc. and that probably the four speed gear box will have to be considerably altered and that, therefore, you advise that, instead of your proceeding to make 170 four speed gear boxes, you should make an addition-al 100 three speed gear boxes unsuitable for four wheel brakes. This really is a very serious position. We must introduce chassis which are suitable for four wheel brakes at the earliest possible date. Under the circumstances, cannot we construct the present chassis fitted with central change and three speed gear box suitable for front wheel brakes to follow on the last of the chassis having three speed unsuitable boxes? We hope to take our last order for the latter at the end of April. Can the three speed suitable box be fitted to the present chassis without the requirement of a new frame, new longer front spring, dumb irons, etc.? I think that you should get the officials who know all about the U.S.A. fitted with four speed gear box, right hand change and otherwise suitable for four wheel brakes, to see you at Derby and tell you all about the position. 'V' Series. X5770 Concerning the 'V' Series, which is to be 300 instead of 100, we note that you may be able to deliver these to London at the rate of 8 to 10 xxxxx from the middle of March, progressing to 20 per week by the middle of June but that this acceleration of output would make it wise to postpone the introduction of the sub-frame later than the 151st chassis - in fact possibly after the completion of the 300th 'V' chassis. | ||