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).
Meeting notes discussing production costs for the Gear Box, Bentley V, and Silver Ripple models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 161a\1\ scan0028 | |
| Date | 25th July 1939 | |
| -2- Les.12/B.25.7.39 (Contd:- GEAR BOX By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} stated that it was intended the Gear Box should have no anti-rattle device. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} said that the latest tests showed that such a device was probably unnecessary. MATERIAL COST OF BENTLEY V.{VIENNA} The estimated figure of £215 given in G/Rb.{R. Bowen}5/70A/R.{Sir Henry Royce} 22.7.39 was mentioned. This is the identical figure mentioned by Les.{Ivan A. Leslie} in January last. This figure is based on a quantity of 300 chassis to the present production specification. SILVER RIPPLE Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} asked that as soon as possible the labour cost figures for Silver Ripple should be available, which could be used in conjunction with £205 material, in order that Silver Ripple could be released at the end of August. RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} stated that the present labour cost of Silver Ripple with existing plant, would be approximately £105. RHC{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}/JRD said that the figures for specialised equipment would not be available until after the holidays. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} stated that the material for this car would not be released until it was shown that the cost figures were satisfactory. A memo written by Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Ls. was then discussed, in which the labour figure of £107 and material figure of £209 had been used in conjunction with an output of 20 cars a week. This memo showed that these figures would be unsatisfactory for Silver Ripple. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} pointed out that certain charges in this memo would be greatly reduced if the quantity of chassis exceeded 20 sets per week. As long as the introduction of a new chassis does not diminish the sales of the present range, it can be a financial benefit to the company as a whole even if it does not cover any of the fixed overhead charges. It was decided that Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} should investigate these figures further and produce another cost analysis of Silver Ripple. | ||