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).
Findings and experiences from a visit to America in 1935, including interactions with General Motors.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 173\4\ img211 | |
| Date | 28th December 1935 | |
| COPY. To E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} from Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} On Board Cunard White Star "AQUITANIA". Dal/HP.28.12.35. Visit to America - 1935. We were extremely well received wherever we went, and everybody without exception appeared willing to tell us everything we wanted to know, and to show us anything they were doing, quite freely. There was absolutely no sign of any tendency to withhold information, or lessening of enthusiasm in imparting it. Some of the problems we discussed had evidently not been considered as a whole by many of the firms, or individuals, and our questioning seemed to elicit information that had not previously been connected together. As we consulted many individuals and firms whose knowledge and experience often varied considerably, and transmitted the information so obtained to Derby in many cases as soon as we had obtained it, the proffered explanations and cures varied considerably in detail and in many cases appeared contradictory, so we shall have to sort this out and may have to retract some things we have said, in the light of information gained later on in the tour. We think we have gained something on every one of the points investigated, and on some that were not directly in the programme. We should have been much assisted in our enquiries had it been possible to have a Phantom III car with us. The interest in this car was keen and universal. The opinion of some of the American engineers on it would have been very useful. Some of the lines of enquiry we were not able to deal with very completely, owing to the comparative shortness of the tour, and difficulty in fitting in every visit. No work is done on Saturday in the U.S.A., and Thanksgiving took a whole day out of our schedule. General Motors in particular showed every desire to help, and we made contact with many specialists in the Research Dept. Mr Olley especially did everything he could to help us, and deserves our best thanks. We hope we are right in thinking that we may return some of the courtesy shewn us by supplying a few drawings to people especially interested. | ||