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).
Comparative analysis table of prototype development periods, costs, and value.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 148\5\ scan0326 | |
| Date | 27th April 1938 | |
| -3- PROTOTYPE. DEVELOPMENT PERIOD 1st CAR ON ROAD TO FINAL MATERIAL RELEASE. PEAK COST OF DEVELOPMENT. TOTAL ANNUAL EXP. EXPENSE. COST OF PROTOTYPE COMPARED WITH COST OF CAR IT REPLACES. ULTIMATE VALUE OF PROTOTYPE. P.III 1/9/34 to 26/3/36. 6 months should have been added to this as too many alterations had to be made later. 18 mths{Reg Matthews} + 6 mths.{Reg Matthews} 2 YEARS. £122,131 P.III last 100 C Series was 30% higher in material cost & 12% higher in labour hrs. than U.II Series P.II. Less than 5% of the components of this chassis are common to any other R.R. chassis. Generally agreed to be too expensive to perpetuate B.III & B.50. B.III. 25/2/38 to March 1939 13 months. B.50. June 1938 to June 1939 12 months. Budget £60,000 Original Works' Cost B.II chassis £765. Cost of B.III & B.50 chassis if the £950 car is to be realised £450 Reduction 41% 90% of B.III & B.50 pieces as at present schemed will ultimately be interchangeable. Replacement Wraith & P.III should use gear-box, axle and suspension. Success of proto-type at present unknown. | ||