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).
Minutes of a meeting at Park Ward's to discuss large quantity production and a rationalised car body range.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 144\4\ scan0026 | |
| Date | 28th February 1940 | |
| To Mr. Ward from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. Mr. Green. c. Hn.{F. C. Honeyman - Retail orders} MINUTES OF MEETING AT PARK WARD'S TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27TH. DESIGN & PLANNING FOR LARGE QUANTITY PRODUCTION. The requirements put forward in Mr. Ward's letter of 20th. were discussed. It was pointed out that the Park Ward factory would be quite incapable of producing the number of bodies per week which would be called for in the large production programme, and that therefore there appeared to be no point in locating the Planning Section other than at Derby. Mr. Ward agreed that this was not an altogether unexpected decision. It was emphasised, however, that all experimental work necessitating hand-produced bodies would continue to be undertaken by Mr. Ward, and that he would be kept in closest contact with what was going on so that his own production would be able to benefit from what was being done by the new organisation. Mr. Ward would still be able to take advantage of Mr. Green's experience in a consulting capacity. BODY FOR RATIONALISED RANGE OF CARS. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} pointed out that though the chassis had been rationalised from the Silver Phantom downwards, the body rationalisation so far had only covered the BIV. car. He considered that if the problem of interchangeability of parts between the limousine and the four-light saloon on the longer wheelbase was gone into carefully, large economies would be able to be effected. If the problem was tackled now, wheelbases would be able to be adjusted if necessary to accommodate coachwork requirements. He recommended that Mr.Giles and Mr.Ward should go ahead immediately and make their recommendations. | ||