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).
Lack of progress on B.V body production, jigs, and drawings with various associated coachbuilders.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 144\2\ scan0111 | |
| Date | 22th September 1941 | |
| Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}2/ST.22.9.41 - 3 - We have tried to suggest (you have had copies of most of the memos) what ought to be done if possible during the war, and left Giles behind (he was taken on the Derby staff by By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer}) in the hopes that he would be available to assist in doing it. Last time Ward was here, he agreed there was three months more drawing work to do on the B.V. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/EAG's report Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}11/EH.14.2.41 sent to you under cover of Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}11/ET.16.2.41 pointed out that there was three months drawing work for two men still needed on this body, so that progress has not been rapid in the past seven months. No interest has been shown in the jigs and tools since they were rescued from Motor Body Panels by Derby. It will be remembered that surprise was expressed by Hn.{F. C. Honeyman - Retail orders} that someone had not seen that these tools were properly stored when war broke out. It seems astonishing to us that Derby should be more actively concerned about B.V body manufacturing equipment being neglected that Park Wards. Referring again to Hn.{F. C. Honeyman - Retail orders}5/ES.18.7.44, nothing has been done about the coupe and no full size drawings have been made for the rationalisation of the four-light and six-light saloons. If Park Wards had kept two draughtsmen continuously at work for the past eighteen months, the whole of the essential minimum drawing work in connection with the Senior rationalised range of bodies would have been completed. The checking jigs recommended in Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/EAG's report have not been completed. The wood model of the body damaged by Motor Panels has not been repaired. Until the checking equipment has been produced, it will not be possible to insist that Motor Panels correct the jigs they have made, which have been damaged by shrinkage. The significance of being ready for B.V body production after the war is that Motor Panels (who are controlled by Lyons of S.S.) have various other peace time commitments and, in the rush back to car production that is bound to occur when hostilities cease, may justifiably concentrate on other work which will absorb their energies. Under the circumstances, we have given up any idea of going on with the improved lightened type B.V body fitted with Myth hardware. We had hoped that after the war Park Wards would have been in a position to "rationalise" their manufacturing methods, and so flourish in spite of the trend towards mass produced bodies. It does not now seem to us probable that this will happen. | ||