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).
Proposal for handling the production of 'SS' chassis and drawings for the USA market.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 19\3\ Scan068 | |
| Date | 23th April 1929 | |
| SECRET X7722 To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} c to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} and Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} absent Hy{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer}6/T.23.4.29. Re 'SS{S. Smith}' CHASSIS FOR USA. Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}13/EE2.4.29. We have received your note addressed to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}, and have had a conference between BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer}, Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} and myself. We regret to note that there is a probability of not having to produce the chassis for America at Derby, and trust that this decision will be reversed, in view of the fact that we are none too full up with work for our skilled labour and machines, and it does appear that we shall be in this position for some time to come unless we get additional work of this nature. As requested in your note, we propose to carry out the following:- (1) Prepare a complete set of drawings of the righthand chassis which have been issued for production. (This will apparently free us of the legal obligation to provide a set of all drawings for America.) (2) Complete the left hand drawings, which are in a very advanced state, and supply also a set of these to America. (This apparently we are not legally compelled to do, but we agree with you that it is desirable to supply the left hand drawings also to America.) (3) To complete and finish one left hand chassis only, and hold up all work on the other two of the three chassis which were originally instructed. (4) Estimate the amount which has already been expended on the two chassis which it is proposed to discontinue the manufacture of, and to supply this figure to you. If we have interpreted your remarks correctly, will you kindly confirm the above arrangements, and we will proceed to carry them out. The reason why we suggest sending a complete set of drawings of the left hand chassis, and a complete set of the right hand chassis is, that it will involve us in less work to do this than to send a complete set of right hand chassis, plus the additional parts for left handing. Also it will be more convenient for Springfield to handle them in the way we suggest. BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer}, who will have to prepare these drawings, prefers to do this, and we are all in agreement. [Initialled] | ||