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).
Unsatisfactory state of the transport fleet at the Clan Foundry, listing vehicles, mileages, and justifications for new vehicles.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 135\2\ scan0196 | |
| Date | 3rd May 1942 | |
| To Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Wym.{G. Harold Whyman - Experimental Manager} With reference to the position of transport at the Clan Foundry, the position at the moment is most unsatisfactory. On the one hand we are told by Derby that we have more cars than they consider necessary with which to do our job, on the other hand we claim that we have not sufficient cars to enable us to do our job properly and service the vehicles as they should be serviced. We give below a list of cars allotted to us and their respective mileages. 8.B.V. 30 HP. 78,000 Miles 9.B.V. 30 HP. 46,500 " 12.B.V. 26 HP. 48,000 " Used by Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} 3.B.50. 30 HP. 55,000 " 1.RT.1. 14 HP. 7,500 " Studebaker 21 HP. 27,000 " Vauxhall 10 HP. 34,000 " Lancia 13 HP. 32,000 " Morris 8 HP. 22,000 " Austin 8 HP. 11,500 " Will be out of commission for the next three months whilst we fit R.R. small engine. Our experience with small cars has taught us that after 25, to 30,000 miles they are definitely worn out, and that is the reason why our small cars spend as much time in the garage as on the road. The Vauxhall as an example was offered by you to the Transport Dept. over six months ago and it was refused on the grounds that it was a most unreliable vehicle and worn out. We are however expected to use this vehicle. One other point to be borne in mind is the fact that our small cars were never purchased with the idea of them being the mainstays of a transport department, they were purchased purely from an experimental and research point of view. With regard to the Bentley cars although three Bentley's may seem extravagant on paper we very seldom have more than one in use at the same time -continued- | ||