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 comparing the bodywork, panel work, and interior fittings of a car against other models, and requesting weight information.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 125\1\ scan0110 | |
| Date | 28th August 1934 guessed | |
| -4- It generally appeared to us that the body scored over most of our bodies by the panel work on the outside, and we came to the conclusion that the majority of the panels must be stamped in some say, as there was no indication that they were hand hammered, and as regards the window fillets, which were the other good point, these must have been shaped on the former, and are undoubtedly produced in quantities. They are very neat in appearance, except for one thing, i.e. the joint is very conspicuous, although they were very well made, and it seems a pity that the joint business cannot be got over in some way. Another point upon which we thought that they might be considered to have scored over us was the interior fittings, which are all made to match each other, and this also applies to instruments attached to the chassis as well as to the body; in other words a more general scheme of decoration ran throughout the car. Whether or not it is worth doing this is a moot point, but perhaps if it were to be done as a regular thing, and so became ordinary, its appeal would be another question. However, this is a point which would not takemuch getting over. I was exceedingly sorry to miss seeing the body myself, as I had very much set my heart on doing this, but the car had gone to Derby before I realised what had happened, and could get hold of it. I should be very grateful if you could possibly let me know the weight of the body and fittings, if you are going to take it off the chassis at Derby, as I cannot imagine that the American chassis can be as heavy as the Phantom II, and I know that the total weight was over 2-cwt. more than our Standardised 40/50 h.p. Pullman Enclosed Limousine which we build to your order, and which I believe I am right in saying is the biggest Rolls-Royce made. If there are any other points which come to your notice, or which you would like us to report on, I shall be only too pleased to come up to Derby at any time to look at the car, as I am very anxious indeed to keep on improving the breed, and unless one sees everything going of a similar nature, one cannot have a proper idea of what to adopt and what to avoid. Please forgive length of this, but I am sure you will be interested. Yours sincerely, (Sd) G.Sclater-Booth. | ||