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).
Complaining about delays in ordering 50 Experimental Production sets for the Bentley V model.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 97\1\ scan0277 | |
| Date | 12th December 1938 | |
| COPY To. RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} From RHC{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}/G.Mc. RHC{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}/G.Mc.1/MC.12.12.38. BENTLEY V.{VIENNA} After numerous memos and visits pressing for the D.O. to maintain the Schedule for the above, it was decided at a conference on the 22nd. ult. to order 50 Experimental Production sets at once. My memo' RHC{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}/G.Mc.1/MC.30.11.38., complained that nothing seemed to have been done. The position is the same today as far as the Order Office is concerned i.e. 3 weeks after the decision was taken they are not in possession of the necessary particulars for them to proceed. It naturally would take some time to issue the LOP's due to the work entailed, but we also have quite a large staff to deal with these matters. Referring to BY's memo' of the 3rd. ult. par: 2., it is made clear that "the engine and rear axle are to current designs and details" and therefore should entail little or no work before issue. Par: 3. states " we need economies, both in regard to Production Cost and Weight reduction". We fully appreciate this point, but it seems entirely overlooked that they are seriously handicapping Production economy by the delay, a change of any sort naturally requires a re-arrangement and the main purpose of Experimental Production is to enable us to formulate the best scheme for economical Production and assembly of the Chassis as a whole, so that when standard production starts all doubtful matters have been cleared up, by this procedure we are able to supply a few cars for the Coachbuilders so that they can produce their Show Bodies in ample time. Referring again to the issue of LOP's and necessary drawings etc., as the engine and rear axle are current and constitute a fair proportion of the whole and further as only a part of the Chassis has been released, it is certainly not right to take 3 weeks (and particulars to O.O. are not yet issued), for the issue of complete details, after which we must allow a reasonable time for O.O. to do their part of the job. Can anything be done to expedite this matter as we are hopelessly behind? RHC{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}/G.Mc. | ||