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).
Mr. Evernden's role in body design and decisions from a sales conference regarding body order quantities.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 41\3\ Scan076 | |
| Date | 16th February 1922 | |
| X3730 To A.{Mr Adams} from BJ. Copies to CJ. IH. PH. Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Re Mr. Evernden, and Goshawk. BJ10/H16.2.22. RECEIVED STAMP: FEB 1922 With reference to H1/W14.2.22, and your kind suggestion that we might make use of Mr. Evernden, I have discussed this matter with LHS{Lord Herbert Scott}, and we are not quite clear in what way you suggest Mr. Evernden's services might be made use of. Is it your suggestion that he should design bodies, or that he should criticise coachbuilders' designs? If Mr. Evernden is to give his time to body designing, would it not be advisable for him to reside in London and co-operate with LHS{Lord Herbert Scott}'s department, including Mr. Spinney and Mr. Oldham? If, on the other hand, it is only suggested that Mr. Evernden should see the final designs made by the coachbuilders and approved by the Coachbuilding Committee here, which includes Lord Herbert Scott, Mr. Cowen, Mr. Sidgreaves, Mr. Spinney and Mr. Oldham, doubtless these designs could be sent to West WitteringHenry Royce's home town and this should cause very little delay. We are rather short of time now in getting our production orders placed with the respective coachbuilders so that the bodies will be ready to fit when the chassis are produced on the 1st June. This will enable the complete cars to be delivered on the 1st July. At a Sales Conference last Tuesday it was decided to order quantities of from 20 to 25 each of limousine, landaulet, all-weather and touring bodies. The final designs have not yet been passed. The reason why it was considered that these types of bodies should be ordered in quantities was because the Sales officials thought there would be the largest demand for them. It is appreciated that there will probably be some demand for two and three-seaters, and this matter is also receiving consideration with a view to obtaining designs as soon as possible. The Sales officials were of opinion generally that the number of persons who would be prepared to give, say, £1000 for a chassis only to carry two or three persons would be very small compared with those who would require bodies to carry four persons: the majority of two and three-seated cars which are seen about to-day appear to be of 10 or 12 h.p., selling | ||