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).
Secret memorandum detailing the extreme confidentiality required for the 'SS' super-sports model chassis.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 65a\2\ scan0213 | |
| Date | 25th January 1929 | |
| SECRET. X7770 HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} To Wsr. from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} To EY from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} To C. from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} (crossed out) To HP from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} To PH from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} (crossed out) To CWB from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} To E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} for all WW officials from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Copy to Tr.{Capt. F. W. Turner - Finance} It is of course of great importance that the utmost secrecy is maintained in regard to "SS{S. Smith}". We are gradually apt to overlook this point, and a certain number of memoranda headed "SS{S. Smith}" Chassis, or referring to "SS{S. Smith}" chassis are getting through which are not marked "Secret" or "Confidential". It is vitally important that:- 1. Everything should be done to maintain secrecy in regard to the "SS{S. Smith}" chassis and to impress on those who are likely to be in contact with it that it is only a super-sports model. 2. All correspondence concerning the "SS{S. Smith}" must be marked "Secret" and sent in an envelope marked "Secret". 3. The experimental chassis and parts must be as secret as possible and no one except specially authorised people allowed to go into the shops or sheds where these cars are kept. Any further suggestions which would ensure secrecy being maintained would be appreciated. It has been repeatedly emphasized at Board Meetings that all must realise throughout the Company that any one who is in the secret and who speaks to even his best friend about the "SS{S. Smith}" or does not do his utmost to keep the secret in every way must be regarded for ever after as a traitor to the Company and to every employee who is dependent on the success of the Company. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} | ||