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).
Painting error on a limousine for Mr. Royce and issues with coachbuilding supervision.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\T\2July1928-December1928\ Scan067 | |
| Date | 22th August 1928 | |
| to HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Da{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} copy to R.{Sir Henry Royce} BJ. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} ORIGINAL EV{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}1/22.8.28. RE INDIA. 3. X5830 X5260 COUPE LIMOUSINE FOR MR. ROYCE. From your Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}1/LG20.8.28. it would appear that our opening remark in DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}3/M.14.8.28. might have been more carefully worded. We regret that we did not make the evidence more detailed. We agree that our original instruction was that the bonnet should be painted black. Barkers made the scuttle grey in error and were unable to put the mistake right without considerable delay. It was decided that the best solution would be to paint the bonnet grey to match the scuttle. We wired you from ElmsteadHenry Royce's home in West Wittering on July 24th. as follows:- "BARKER'S MUST HAVE BONNET OF 12-G-4 to CELLULOSE TO MATCH FABRIC" On the same day we instructed Barker's to send you some grey paint for painting any such parts that you could not let them have. We therefore feel that we did all that we could to put the m matter right, We do not agree that Derby or Sales took over our job when in a mess and made a success of it. We always understood that Derby's responsibility commenced with the delivery of the body. Given the days of grace which Mr Royce conceded to Derby we could have done as well. We would much prefer that the actual supervision of the building of Expl. Bodies be transferred to the Expl. Dept. It is essential that the construction be closely watched for the following reasons:- (1) The coachbuilders cannot work to drawings. (2) The chassis is always a strange one, but they are never able to have it or see it. (3) They are not allowed to complete and mount the body. | ||