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).
Report to Mr. Johnson regarding petrol tins, body weight limits, and performance updates on coachbuilders Barkers, Hooper, and Mulliner.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 74\1\ scan0051 | |
| Date | 29th August 1911 | |
| S.R. 199 (25M) (F 984 6.12 10) E.P. 8054. Mr. Johnson 29th August 1911. - 3 - that one petrol (2 gallons) tin and one 1/4 gallon oil tin be supplied with each car (on payment) These tins can be filled up when empty but always carried on the step of the car for emergency. The usual red or green tin looks cheap and vulgar. To enamel a tin in black I believe costs about 3/-. I cannot lay too much stress on the importance of all our agents and Sales Department seeing that the Coachbuilder does not exceed 9 cwt. A modern body seating 7 persons can be built for 8 1/2 cwt or 9 cwt should be the extreme outside limit. Turning to our Coachbuilders:- BARKERS. There is still considerable disorganisation at Barkers, though considerable improvement should take place in the near future, but not before they get into their new Works, which will be in October. This week we were hung up over two cars not being ready - 1645 Williamson, which was faithfully promised under the penalty of cancelling the order and 1598 Linnington, definitely promised a week ago. I do not expect that the delay in either case will bring forth really first class detail, probably the reverse. The purchasing public still cling to Barkers, and will continue to place their orders with them in spite of being warned that their factory is disorganised. HOOPER. Hooper turn out, as they always have done, extremely good work. Their designs are not very remarkable for ingenuity but the general detail is good. I believe that at their factory they are keen to do our work but this is not quite the case, as far as I can see at St.{Capt. P. R. Strong} James Street. Hoopers at the present moment employ more men than any other London Coachbuilder. MULLINER (Chiswick) These people really have more work in hand than their factory can turn out. Their work is good, but not of such a high quality as Hooper or Barkers. We are carefully watching the weights. | ||