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).
List of modifications made with the sole object of cheapening production, detailing undesirable outcomes.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 29\2\ Scan067 | |
| Date | 11th November 1922 guessed | |
| - 7 - (C). Modifications made apparently with the sole object of cheaping production. (1). The ratchet lock for the dismantling nut on the end of the throttle has been omitted. We consider this omission undesirable, our practice tending to lock more and more instead of taking locks off. (2). The trigger mechanism on the Change Gear Lever has been eliminated. This was fitted by R.{Sir Henry Royce} to prevent the reverse gear being picked up in error in the dark. We still consider this fitting desirable. (3). Carburetter finish. The highly polished finish for the carburetter and parts in connection with same has been replaced by a sand blasted finish - this is not considered desirable as the finish of these parts is a contributory factor to high class appearance. (4). Finish of Dash. Sand blasted again instead of polished. (5). Rear Axle. The oil filler has been taken off the axle box with the object of reducing cost of dies. There is no method of putting the oil new into the box except by dismantling the rear cover. This rear cover in turn has had all the machining on the outside of same eliminated. (6). Central Portion of Rear Axle. The profile milling round the central axle boxes has been eliminated - a plain circular finish being substituted. To reduce the weight added in consequence of this change the thickness of the flanges has been reduced. This we consider to be a distinctly faulty decision, as it increases the weight at the worst point in the axle and in addition weakens the metal by reducing the thickness of the flange. | ||