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).
Production delays due to an electrical lockout and disagreements with the American division over chassis design.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 18\6\ Scan172 | |
| Date | 30th August 1920 guessed | |
| -5- (a) Main Switch, (b) Push Button Switch, (c) Actuating Box, (d) Ignition Coil, (e) Condenser, (f) Ballast Resistance. Owing to the electrical Lock-Out - Notices for which have just been 'posted' to take effect on 6th Sept.- delay may occur, after despatch of the first consignments of the above, but in any case the first consignments will be despatched. The probability of a coal strike may also affect our plans, but every effort will be made to supply America as promised. In conclusion we would like to remark that the net result of the three cables from America is, that at the eleventh hour they have decided to adopt the policy which has been recommended and insisted upon from the very commencement by Derby, to the effect that America should produce an exactly similar chassis in every part. We are quite at a loss to understand why America pushed their demand for changes so perilously close to the date of production of their first chassis and in their own words involve themselves in a considerable risk of financial disaster, and feel that the attitude adopted by Derby has certainly not only proved to be correct, but although it may not be so recognised, has actually prevented them running into the disaster which they now see they are but narrowly avoiding, for had Derby concurred with America's request, there is not the slightest doubt that America would have been involved in a production programme with new parts from which there was no escape and which could not possibly have materialised within many months, at an optimistic estimate. The Committee attach a cable which covers the points in regard to supplying material. If CJ. agrees to this cable will he kindly see that it is despatched. | ||