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).
Policy of using specialists for car development, testing, and experimental work.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 154\3\ scan0131 | |
| Date | 2nd February 1936 | |
| -2- Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}3/MJ.2.2.36.Cont'd.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} Steadman - Radiators, Fans, Oil coolers, Ventilation. Bowering - Petrol pumps, Jacks, Central Lubrication. Matthews - Endurance tests on engines, Bearings, Pistons, valves, etc. Swindall - Engine Bench Tests. West - Electrical Units. "We are certain that the policy of having Specialists is the right one, but it still leaves the problem that when the specialists have finished with their units the collection has to be made into a desirable motorcar. For this we intend to use G.W.H. and his Chateauroux staff. We expect G.W.H. to always have under his control at least one Phantom 111, 25 HP., and Bentley. These cars will be fitted up with all the latest parts after they have been proved out by the specialists. They may be run tests in France or in England but we shall always have available our most up to date car in a form which Sales or anyone else interested can try at any time. The scheme will demand more Experimental cars. It is no use having a specialist on a certain unit unless he has the necessary apparatus to carry out tests. I do not think we ought to be concerned about having a few extra experimental cars - our most expensive item on experimental work and design work is the factor of lack of knowledge, or in other words, if we only knew more about our job we should not have to go over them so many times before they are right. I accept the view that it is quite impossible for any individual to expect to have the necessary knowledge, we have got to rely more and more on specialists. The other advantage is that with specialists the jobs can go on in parallel instead of in series and this means a job can be done quicker. We do not think it is sufficiently realised what a big job has been done in a very short time in introducing the Big Bore Bentley and the Big Bore 25 HP. and it has only been possible because in that case we had a few cars to work on and the jobs have been going in parallel. The Phantom 111 has been handicapped right from the start and is still handicapped because there has not been sufficient cars. We say that never again are we going to attempt to work on a new model without sufficient material. We suggest that this is a matter which might be usefully discussed at a conference in Derby. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||