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).
Vehicle defects and the standardization of parts for US-produced cars.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\F\February1921\ Scan38 | |
| Date | 1st February 1921 | |
| TO CJ. from R.{Sir Henry Royce} -2- R12/G15/2/21 Contd. apt to be the fault with cast iron pistons where liquid petrol gets in the cylinders (so usual with bad petrol.) I think, therefore, we should concentrate our energies on getting hot spot induction system really satisfactory, and louvres with thermostat as above mentioned. All the other serious defects in the cars appear to be met by the use of the thin leafed springs, and the damped steering pivots. Regarding this latter point, we find that although the steering of the "Marmon" is one of the best amongst the American productions, it is more damped by friction than ours would be if we used a thrust bearing on both of our vertical pivots. I therefore recommend that if there are any more complaints about steering, that we consider putting on a plain thrust on both of thevertical pivots. X.4276 The other point of importance is the cost of the electric units as sent out from England, compared with those that can be purchased in America. I have, up to the present, supported the general view that the two cars should be identical and that such alterations which are made standard for America should be adopted for the English standard. I conclude that you will also support this view, but in consequence of the enormous difference in cost to the U.S.A. Company of the units from England, it will be necessary to abandon the idea that both cars shall be identical and that the U.S.A. produced cars shall have U.S.A. electrical starter motors, dynamos, magnetos, in addition to the pressure gauges, ignition plugs, and thermometers already agreed to. If Mr. Johnson and the English Directors decide upon this policy, we understand that possibly the Bosch, U.S.A. magneto will be adopted, and possibly the Westinghouse Dynamo and (Contd.) | ||