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).
Delays in car improvement progress, citing the impact of aero work and concerns over stock levels.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 20\11\ Scan313 | |
| Date | 26th October 1928 | |
| Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from R.{Sir Henry Royce} c. to BJ. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} CWB. c. to PN.{Mr Northey} C. c. to SG.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} F.{Mr Friese} X180 R3/M26.10.28. RE. CAR IMPROVEMENT PROGRESS. X.8770 X.2917 X.4674 X.4657 X.180 In my memos. I am not complaining of the amount of work done by the Expl: Dept: - far from it. The 'H' engine achievement was wonderful, and also I understand the Expl: Dept. has been helping with production of F.{Mr Friese} engines (hardly wise). Since writing my memo. it has been generally acknowledged that the car work has been delayed by the aero work. I am very sorry I am wrong in saying that I thought work had been done which we at WW. were not aware of until too late to approve, or improve, or stop, in preference to other work thought to be more urgent, but at the time I had reasons, and was not aware that the Exp: Dept: was helping with production. Whatever the cause I am still saying that the time (a) we at WW. (2) at Derby (BY's dept.), (c) in the Expl: Dept: (d) the great stock of material ordered in advance, and (e) the obstructions from Sales, adds to too great a time and makes one feel sick and hopeless of ever getting any substantial improvement into our car work, and we seem to get hopelessly left behind. One thing we must do is to keep stocks low, and anticipate somewhat in ordinary materials, or we shall have a big stock of out-of-date cars which will not sell. Daimlers I understand are in this state - I was told by someone who ought to know. It is not imaginary funk, but necessity for safety that anticipated substantial improvements should not hang about for so long a time. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||