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).
Cost and liability for fitting asbestos sheeting to address interior heat in 'Phantom' cars.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 74\3\ scan0180 | |
| Date | 14th September 1926 | |
| COPY. Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}13/M14/9/26 Re: Interior heat 'Phantom' Cars. Referring to the instructions sent out to the Coachbuilders regarding the fitting of asbestos sheeting to the front floorboards, we have now received the first debit from Coachbuilders - i.e. Barker's - for carrying out this work on one of the Company's Cars. It amounts to £6-6-0. All the Coachbuilders contend (and one must admit they have reason for their contention) that the difficulty which they are asked to overcome by fitting asbestos sheeting, is one for the Chassis Manufacturer and not for the Coachbuilders and therefore their charges must be borne either by us or the Customer. This, I am afraid, is going to be rather a difficult matter to deal with, as Coachbuilders prices for bodies and extras are already sufficiently high without Customers being asked to pay additional charges of this nature and I am afraid it will be impossible to prevent the Coachbuilders from conveying the impression to Customers that it is something which is necessary for R.R. Cars in particular - and thus indicating that it is a fault in our chassis design. On the other hand, if the Company agrees to pay, it will be realised that on an output of, say, 500 Cars per annum, the total yearly cost would be about £3,500. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} | ||