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).
Coachbuilding strategy, quality control, and confidentiality concerns.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 178\3\ img015 | |
| Date | 12th January 1932 | |
| [strikethrough]Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} FROM DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}[/strikethrough] DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}1/M12.1.32. C. to WOR.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} B. BODIES - J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} 3. X5830. The writer appreciates the compliment in the suggestion that he should supervise the building of J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} 3. bodies by Sanderson & Holmes in Derby, and if this is the final decision on the matter will make the very best job under the circumstances. We feel however that there may have been some points in the issue not fully realised by Derby. (1) We have never got a sensible job out of any coachbuilder who has not had some experience of RR. requirements, no matter how hard we work or how much time we spend. For example, 23-MX.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} by the Carlton Carriage Co. was the one dud body out of 6 experimental Phantom 2s. (2) All the time and energy spent on a firm like S. & H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} by ourselves is wasted to the Co. as we shall never wish to give them any normal production. (3) It is impossible for the writer to do useful work for a whole day at a coachbuilder, the most useful thing being a visit every few days, therefore much time would be wasted which might be occupied in doing design work. (4) We are not so convinced of the secrecy attached to S. & H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} Of recent years we have been unable to trace any leaks of information due to our taking our own coachbuilders into our confidence, but we are conscious of the fact that several alarming articles have appeared in the Derby Press. In view of these considerations we apologise for making the following suggestions - that we should go to one of our leading coachbuilders and retailer of the 25HP., saying to him that we have discovered that by making a wider frame to the 20/25. we can remove a number of obstructions in the way of his producing a car with ample headroom and a comfortable depth of cushion. That we have therefore brought through one such car, and as he is our closest friend we are going to ask him to build a body for it in the greatest secrecy that he can provide. That because he has to live by the sale of 25HP. RR. cars as much as we do it will be as much in his interest as ours to maintain secrecy. When the body is completed - which we can do without the chassis - it can be sent to Derby for mounting. Although we have had trouble in mounting bodies in Derby sometimes costing us £50. or £60., the writer would rather spend £50 or £60. in that way and get a 1st. class job, than waste £50 or £60. on a 3rd. or 4th. rate firm. DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} | ||