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).
Coachwork, competitor analysis of Mulliners and Jaguar, and developments at Park Ward & Co.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 111\1\ scan0005 | |
| Date | 27th October 1937 | |
| - 2 - DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}21/G.27.10.37. This makes a difference in material and labour between our Standardised Bentley Saloon and the Jaquar Saloon of approx. £100 and £40 - a very big percentage of which is in labour. As far as it was possible to ascertain Mulliners Ltd., Birmingham, do not produce anything but a composite body for Daimler or Lanchester. The more nearly all-steel bodies used by these firms, such as the Daimler 15 and Lanchester, Road-Rider de Luxe they produce themselves, and sell at £115 and £95 respectively. Our general impression of Mulliners finish was that it would need to be improved quite a lot to equal the Jaquar. The only hope of the survival of Custom Coachwork would appear to lie in its ability to give a very modern appearance and exclusive lines. Except in a few cases we felt of the opinion that the bodies on our chassis fell below the best examples of production coachwork on other chassis in the matter of artistry of line. Our coachbuilders seem to have lost the art of making a big body look small. The bodies of low cars having no steps were shewn to us by Hm.{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs}, and we are considering a design on these lines for B.3 and B.50. Our biggest difficulty will lie in the side position of the spare wheel. PARK WARD & CO. We were very interested in the new developments going on in the production of their all-steel coachwork. They have bought still more machinery, including a Bumping Press, and an electric cutter. Nearly all of the body shell sections are made by wood dies, steel faced. These will last for about 500 bodies and cost about £100. They make these dies themselves. The advantage of this scheme for small production is :- (1). Small die cost. (2). Ability to change design at reasonable intervals. At the moment they are producing sample bodies for the Triumph Co. at the request of Mr. Maurice Newnham, who is anxious to get an all-steel body for the Triumph 2-litre without being committed to an excessive die cost. The idea at the moment is that the Triumph Co. will make the body shells under licence. Confidentially we were shewn the present figures for the Bentley Steel Shell. They are approximately as follows :- | ||