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).
Producing left-hand drive cars and the fitting of thermostats on Springfield-built vehicles.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 18\6\ Scan180 | |
| Date | 30th August 1920 | |
| -2- (e) From the Works point of view, they would have to produce two types of chassis, which of course would apply to R.R.Inc. in order to carry out J's instructions that it shall not be possible for a buyer to tell whether a car has been made in Derby or Springfield. (f) Mr.Kein, the Sales Manager of R.R.Inc. was emphatically of the opinion that left hand steering was not wanted at all at present, but might be considered on a new design. We have only roughly outlined some of the difficulties, but in view of what we have stated, we should recommend that the policy of producing a left hand steering car should be thoroughly reconsidered before any further action is taken, in fact the Committee are of the opinion that we should maintain the right hand steering. (2) THERMOSTATS. Reference minute 3 (paragraph e) of 27.8.20, and 30.8.20, and letter from R.{Sir Henry Royce} to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} R7/G3.X.20. M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Royce in the above memo states that the Derby Committee have agreed to getting Thermostats and Thermometers on same car; this is not correct. The facts are that, owing to American Production Programme being pushed forward to such an early date, it was agreed that the first cars made at Springfield would have to be without Thermostats and it is only on those cars that Thermometers will be fitted. This is in line with the policy at Derby. | ||