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).
Letter to J. Marston Ltd. regarding radiator production dates, quotation dissatisfaction, and quality complaints.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 150\2\ scan0123 | |
| Date | 14th October 1938 | |
| Messrs.J.Marston Ltd. -2- 14th. October 1938. We wish you to give us a reliable date for the completion of the Bentley 50 radiator and Wraith 80 radiator unit which you are at present constructing. Regarding the long awaited quotation for the Bentley III radiator which you have now forwarded and also the charges for the experimental radiators which you have made and are making for us - we are definitely not satisfied with the production quotation given and propose to obtain alternative quotations with a view to reducing this. In particular we cannot see why our radiator should cost 56% more than the 3½-litre S.S.Jaguar unit - if you would be prepared to let us have a detailed cost analysis of our radiator the writer would be very interested to go through the figures in order to see the reasons for the high figure in question. You will see from the above thatthere is now a distinct possibility that the order for Bentley III and Bentley 50 radiators may not go to yourselves and in view of this we would like to know whether you wish to adjust your charges for the experimental radiators, built up by you for us, as we do not wish you to supply these at a loss to yourselves in the expectation of an order which may not materialise. Will you please let the writer have particulars of any adjustment you wish to make in this matter. Finally, we have had a number of complaints of leaking matrices on Mk.V matrix units which you have reconditioned - examination has shown this to be due to shoddy workmanship - the soldering of the tanks to the matrices has been very poor and the side plates have not been loaded up at their top and bottom edges to prevent water leaking up between them and the matrix. If you are reconditioning any further units we would like you to see that this does not occur on them - we regret to say that all the samples of your hand soldering which come to our notice in the form of these Mk.V matrices, oil coolers etc., do not inspire us with confidence. Yours faithfully, for ROLLS-ROYCE LTD. | ||